New composites based on low-density polyethylene and rice husk: Elemental and thermal characteristics

Abstract

We developed new composites by combining the solid waste from Low-Density Polyethylene in the form of plastic bag (PB) and biomass from rice husk (RH),in the form of (RH)x(PB)1-x (x = (1, 0.9, 0.7, 0.5)), as alternative fuels for electrical energy sources, and for providing the best solution to reduce environmental pollution. Elemental compositions were obtained by using proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and the thermal characteristics were obtained from thermogravimetric analysis. The compositions of carbon and hydrogen from the ultimate analysis show significant increases of 20-30% with increasing PB in the composite. The activation energy for RH is 101.22 kJ/mol; for x = 0.9 and 0.7, this increases by 4 and 6 magnitude, respectively, and for x = 0.5, shows remarkable increase to 165.30 kJ/mol. The range of temperature of about 480-660°C is required for combustion of the composites (RH)x(PB)1-x (x = (1, 0.9, 0.7, 0.5)) to perform the complete combustion process and produce high energy. In addition, the calorific value was determined by using bomb calorimetry, and shows value for RH of 13.44 MJ/kg, which increases about 30-40% with increasing PB content, indicating that PB has a strong effect of increasing the energy realized to generate electricity.

Fuel Range Properties of Oil and Wax Obtained from Catalytic Pyrolysis of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene in a Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR)

“…Those thermograms in combination with the ultimate analysis results reported in this work for LLDPE show a carbon content of about 82% (Table S3) an also that the yield of high hydrocarbon products is increased as expected. The results of the CV presented herein are also in line with previously reported research . The CV estimated herein (45.48 kJ g –1 ) favors the production of energy from LLDPE as a primary fuel source. , …”

“…The results of the CV presented herein are also in line with previously reported research. 48 The CV estimated herein (45.48 kJ g −1 ) favors the production of energy from LLDPE as a primary fuel source. 42…”

“…The degree of crystallinity determined for the LLDPE was 45%, falling in the range of previous reports on semicrystalline polyolefin polymers. − The moisture content determined for the virgin plastics was between 0.03 and 0.06%, which is almost equal to null (Table S3). This is typically the case when commercial plastics are investigated. ,− The volatiles estimated for the LDPE exceeded 99%, which indicates that the material favors the production of pyro-oils, unlike char/ash residues, which promote the evolution of gaseous products (pyro-gas) through cracking . The experimental thermograms obtained are presented elsewhere .…”

Wax Recovery from the Pyrolysis of Virgin and Waste Plastics

“…Furthermore, plastic solid waste (PSW) can be argued to be the least problematic of various solid waste components since polymer production only consumes approximately 4–8% of petroleum . Nonetheless, PSW management is quite essential for other aspects that touch upon environmental burden reduction, such as landscape deterioration, environmental sink pollution, microplastic accumulation, and landfill space reduction. − …”

Valorisation of Rice Husk and Bubble Wrap Plastic Waste through Co-Torrefaction to Optimise Biochar Production

“…The following Table 4 details the result of feedstock characterisation. The characterisation of rice husk biomass is concluded to be valid due to the values being in the range of the referenced literatures (Anshar, Tahir, Makhrani, Ani, & Kader, 2018). Meanwhile, bubble wrap plastic has higher than usual moisture content and fixed carbon.…”