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Analysis of Tar and Oil Derived from Pyrolysis and Copyrolysis of Waste Plastics and Biomass
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Researchers used GC-MS, FTIR, and thermogravimetric analysis to characterize the oils and tars produced from pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of common waste plastics with biomass, finding that products contained C7–C37 hydrocarbons and diverse oxygenated functional groups. The study provides detailed chemical profiles of these waste streams to guide the development of plastic and biomass waste-to-fuel technologies.
Pyrolysis has been proposed as a potential technology for managing the growing volume of plastic waste generated worldwide. Co-pyrolysis of plastic waste with biomass is a promising technology for generating fuel and chemical products. However, this process generates tar as a waste product. The chemical properties of this tar have yet to be thoroughly analyzed. This study presents the results of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of oil and tar obtained from the pyrolysis of pure plastics including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and plastic-biomass mixtures. GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of C7–C37 carbon-containing hydrocarbons, which include alkanes and alkenes as the dominant products. FTIR data revealed the presence of various functional groups, including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids, indicating the complexity of the pyrolysis and copyrolysis oil obtained from waste plastics and biomass. TGA data show that tar from all four plastics has a higher decomposition rate, suggesting the presence of heavier hydrocarbons compared with their corresponding oils. This research will be of interest to researchers looking to advance the study of plastic and biomass waste management.
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Researchers chemically characterized plastitar and pyroplastic samples from coastal sites in Indonesia and Florida using infrared spectroscopy and two-dimensional gas chromatography, finding that Panjang Island samples contained some of the highest concentrations of PAHs ever reported in marine plastic debris—up to 247,951 ng/g—alongside elevated phthalates, highlighting these thermally altered plastic-tar hybrids as potent dual carriers of physical and chemical contamination.
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Researchers analyzed the chemical composition and properties of fuel oils produced via pyrolysis from both high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), evaluating their potential as alternative fuels. The study characterized hydrocarbon distributions and fuel quality parameters to assess the viability of plastic-to-fuel conversion as a waste management strategy.
Evolved Gas Analysis of Waste Polypropylene, Cardboard, Wood Biomass and Their Blends: A TG–FTIR Approach
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This study applies evolved gas analysis to examine the thermal decomposition products released when waste polypropylene is co-pyrolyzed with cardboard, wood, and their blends. Understanding the gas emissions from these mixed waste streams is relevant to developing safer and more efficient plastic waste-to-energy or chemical recycling processes.
Advanced Analytical Framework for Pyrolysis Product Characterization and Emission Profiling in Mixed Plastic Waste: Implications for Recycling Strategy
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Analytical pyrolysis combined with comprehensive 2D gas chromatography–mass spectrometry of six polyolefin-rich plastic waste streams reveals aliphatic hydrocarbon-dominated pyrolysates with trace antioxidant-derived non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) but no detectable heavy polycyclic aromatics. This characterization framework is critical for assessing chemical contaminant risks in chemically recycled plastics, directly informing the safety of circular plastic management strategies.
Recent Progresses in Pyrolysis of Plastic Packaging Wastes and Biomass Materials for Conversion of High-Value Carbons: A Review
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This review examines pyrolysis of plastic packaging waste and biomass materials as routes to fuel and chemical recovery, comparing process conditions, product yields, and co-pyrolysis synergies. The authors find that blending plastics with biomass can improve fuel quality and reduce char formation, advancing the case for mixed-feedstock pyrolysis systems.
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