Co-liquefaction of synthetic polyethylene and polyethylene bags with sugarcane bagasse under supercritical conditions: A comparative study. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baloch, Humair Ahmed; Nizamuddin, Sabzoi; Siddiqui, M.T.H.; Mubarak, N.M.; Mazari, Shaukat; Griffin, G.J.; Srinivasan, M.P.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 162(2021)
• Page Start: 2397
• Page End: 2407
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Supercritical fluid -- Co processing -- Ethanol -- Polyethylene -- Bio-oil; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.10.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the co-liquefaction of high-density polyethylene (PE) and low density polyethylene bags (PB) with sugarcane bagasse (SCB) in supercritical ethanol solvent. The effect of blending ratios of SCB/PB and SCB/PE is studied. Results indicate that blending ratio of low density plastic bags and high-density polyethylene impacts the product distribution during solvo-thermal process. The optimum conversion of SCB/PE and SCB/PB up to 57.3% and 59.4% with bio-oil yields of 31.5% and 30.3% respectively are obtained at 280 °C. The higher heating values (HHV) of bio-oil obtained from SCB/PE and SCB/PB are 34.9 and 34.8 MJ/kg, respectively. CHNS/O, chemical composition, carbon and proton NMR, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses of bio-oil have been conducted. Investigation suggests that the SCB/PE and SCB/PB derived bio-oil have the superior qualitative properties compared to pure sugarcane bagasse. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Bio-oil yield and conversion were decreased during co-liquefaction of SCB and PE. Co-liquefaction improved the overall quality of bio-oil. Synergistic effect exists between SCB and PE during co-liquefaction. Ethanol and polymers served as hydrogen donor and promoted deoxygenation reactions. Alkanes and aliphatics groups were found in NMR analysis.