Thermal degradation of household solid wastes with TGA: cellulosic and plastic materials

Abstract

Thermal behavior of household waste can be improved by knowing thermal degradation for the optimal design and operation of thermochemical process: pyrolysis, gasification or combustion. In the present study, Thermogravimetric analysis has been used for pyrolysis and combustion of waste plastic, cardboard, wood, and household waste of Abomey-Calavi city in Benin at different heating rates. For facilitating the laboratory study of household wastes, a model waste (MW) based on wood (88%), cardboard (7%) and plastic (5%) was developed. The model waste is based on the typological characterization of household solids wastes (HSW) and chemical assumptions. The difference of mass loss between experimental and theoretical ones (calculated as arithmetic sums of those from each separated component) was used as a criterion of synergetic effect. The experimental results indicated that a low synergetic effect existed between plastic and cellulosic materials during the pyrolysis of MW in contrast to the effect observed in case of combustion.