Co-pyrolysis performances, products, and synergistic effect of peanut straw and waste LDPE film

Abstract

This study investigates the co-pyrolysis behavior and product distribution of peanut straw and polyethylene film blends through thermogravimetric analysis and gas chromatography-mass Spectrometry. Thermogravimetric analysis results revealed distinct pyrolysis temperature intervals: 247–356 °C for peanut straw, 448–505 °C for polyethylene film, and an extended range of 247–510 °C for their mixtures. Synergistic effects, quantified through experimental-theoretical deviations, demonstrated enhanced mass conversion rates and accelerated pyrolysis kinetics in blended systems. As the mass ratio of peanut straw to polyethylene increases from 1:1 to 1:7, the bio-oil yield increased from 62.1% to 76.86%, accompanied by elevated alkane from 20.84% to 31.41% and olefin from 24.73% to 42.89%. HZSM-5 catalyst further optimized product profiles, achieving 77.08% bio-oil yield with enhanced hydrocarbon selectivity (alkanes: 35.69%; olefins: 46.16%) while suppressing oxygenates from 20.07% to 8.85%. Carbon chain distribution analysis indicated a polyethylene ratio-dependent shift toward short-chain alkanes (C6–C19), with HZSM-5 intensifying this trend through selective cracking of long-chain species (C20+). These findings establish that co-pyrolysis with catalytic intervention effectively promotes hydrocarbon production and inhibits oxygenated compounds, providing strategic insights for agricultural plastic waste valorization.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

peanut straw / LDPE film / co-pyrolysis / synergetic effect

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