Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of waste plastic pyrolysis: Synergistic effects and sustainability perspectives

In this study, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), waste mixed plastics (WMPs) and WMPs with spent fluid catalytic cracking (sFCC) catalyst (WMPs/ sFCC) were investigated to simulate real-life pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics using Thermogravimet...

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Main Authors: Prathwiraj Meena, Rohidas Bhoi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Next Sustainability
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949823625000352
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author Prathwiraj Meena
Rohidas Bhoi
author_facet Prathwiraj Meena
Rohidas Bhoi
author_sort Prathwiraj Meena
collection DOAJ
description In this study, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), waste mixed plastics (WMPs) and WMPs with spent fluid catalytic cracking (sFCC) catalyst (WMPs/ sFCC) were investigated to simulate real-life pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA was performed under different heating rates i.e., 5, 10, 15 and 20 ˚C/min) in an inert nitrogen atmosphere. The pyrolysis kinetics are assessed using three model-free methods, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), and Starink, as well as two model-fitting methods, Coats–Redfern (CR) and Criado methods (master plots). The results showed that the WMPs exhibited a positive synergetic effect among the different types of plastics, leading to a notable reduction in degradation temperature and required activation energy. Moreover, adding sFCC catalysts significantly lowered the initial pyrolysis temperature (approximately 47 ˚C) of WMPs compared to direct pyrolysis. Moreover, the average activation energy of WMPs decreased by approximately 13.41 kJ/mole with the inclusion of the sFCC catalyst. The thermodynamic properties such ΔH‡, ΔG‡ and ΔS‡ suggested that the process was endothermic, non-spontaneous and decreased in randomness during pyrolysis. This study promotes sustainability through a circular economy to convert waste into wealth. These findings offer valuable theoretical insights for reducing energy consumption in plastic pyrolysis and expanding the applications of sFCC catalyst.
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spelling doaj-art-a9b8844fd0d7453ba91c0327c8b0944c2025-08-20T02:18:29ZengElsevierNext Sustainability2949-82362025-01-01510013210.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100132Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of waste plastic pyrolysis: Synergistic effects and sustainability perspectivesPrathwiraj Meena0Rohidas Bhoi1Department of Chemical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, J.L.N. Marg, Jaipur 302017, IndiaCorresponding author.; Department of Chemical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, J.L.N. Marg, Jaipur 302017, IndiaIn this study, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), waste mixed plastics (WMPs) and WMPs with spent fluid catalytic cracking (sFCC) catalyst (WMPs/ sFCC) were investigated to simulate real-life pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA was performed under different heating rates i.e., 5, 10, 15 and 20 ˚C/min) in an inert nitrogen atmosphere. The pyrolysis kinetics are assessed using three model-free methods, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), and Starink, as well as two model-fitting methods, Coats–Redfern (CR) and Criado methods (master plots). The results showed that the WMPs exhibited a positive synergetic effect among the different types of plastics, leading to a notable reduction in degradation temperature and required activation energy. Moreover, adding sFCC catalysts significantly lowered the initial pyrolysis temperature (approximately 47 ˚C) of WMPs compared to direct pyrolysis. Moreover, the average activation energy of WMPs decreased by approximately 13.41 kJ/mole with the inclusion of the sFCC catalyst. The thermodynamic properties such ΔH‡, ΔG‡ and ΔS‡ suggested that the process was endothermic, non-spontaneous and decreased in randomness during pyrolysis. This study promotes sustainability through a circular economy to convert waste into wealth. These findings offer valuable theoretical insights for reducing energy consumption in plastic pyrolysis and expanding the applications of sFCC catalyst.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949823625000352PyrolysisSustainabilityReaction mechanismWaste to wealthWaste mixed plastics
spellingShingle Prathwiraj Meena
Rohidas Bhoi
Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of waste plastic pyrolysis: Synergistic effects and sustainability perspectives
Next Sustainability
Pyrolysis
Sustainability
Reaction mechanism
Waste to wealth
Waste mixed plastics
title Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of waste plastic pyrolysis: Synergistic effects and sustainability perspectives
title_full Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of waste plastic pyrolysis: Synergistic effects and sustainability perspectives
title_fullStr Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of waste plastic pyrolysis: Synergistic effects and sustainability perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of waste plastic pyrolysis: Synergistic effects and sustainability perspectives
title_short Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of waste plastic pyrolysis: Synergistic effects and sustainability perspectives
title_sort thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of waste plastic pyrolysis synergistic effects and sustainability perspectives
topic Pyrolysis
Sustainability
Reaction mechanism
Waste to wealth
Waste mixed plastics
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949823625000352
work_keys_str_mv AT prathwirajmeena thermodynamicandkineticanalysisofwasteplasticpyrolysissynergisticeffectsandsustainabilityperspectives
AT rohidasbhoi thermodynamicandkineticanalysisofwasteplasticpyrolysissynergisticeffectsandsustainabilityperspectives