Pyrolysis of commingled waste textile fibers in a batch reactor: Analysis of the pyrolysis gases and solid product

The main object of this study was the investigation of the thermal recycling of commingled waste textile fibers, with the aim of the production of useful end products. Differential scanning calorimetry/Thermo gravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA) was applied to determine the thermal degradation characteristics of the commingled waste textile fibers and there are two peaks located at the temperature ranges of 299–360°C and 399–500°C. Commingled waste fiber was pyrolyzed in a nitrogen atmosphere in relation to three different temperatures (500, 600, and 700°C), heating rates (25 and 50°C min−1), and retention times (15 and 30 min). The effect of the experimental conditions such as pyrolysis temperature, heating rates, and retention time on the formation of char and gas--liquid products was investigated and the product yields were determined from the rate of the weight loss. The highest conversion rate 82.9 wt.% liquid--gas product and 17.1 wt.% char product was achieved at 700°C. Pyrolysis gases were taken for every 7, 15, and 25 min and were analyzed for major components such as CO, CO2, CH4, and H2 by gas chromatography. The pyrolysis char called as carbon black derived from the pyrolysis of commingled waste textile fibers was analyzed for a range of properties, including the elemental analysis, moisture content, ash content, calorific value, and trace metal analysis.