Experimental and kinetic investigation of textile-based refuse derived fuel (t-RDF) pyrolysis: analysing the valorisation of textile waste

A majority of global textile waste is neither recycled nor repurposed; instead, it finds its way into landfills or incinerators. Polymer-based textiles, a significant component of this waste, may persist in landfills without degrading for up to two centuries. This study investigates valorisation of specific blends of textile-based Refuse Derived Fuel (t-RDF) in a novel simultaneous experimental and kinetic analysis to determine pyrolysis product characteristics with process kinetics and thermal parameters. A TGA is initially used to examine the degradation characteristics of t-RDF at three heating rates: 5, 10, and 20 °C.min^-1. The kinetics of the non-isothermal pyrolysis of t-RDF are investigated to obtain the activation energy changes that represent the process kinetics for forecasting pyrolysis using the reaction scheme. The average activation energy of the t-RDF, deduced using the Starink model, is found to be 99.22 kJ.mol^-1. An in-house designed reactor is used to perform pyrolysis at different temperatures to analyse the effect of compositional variations in the t-RDF. The physicochemical properties of the pyrolysis products are characterised using FTIR spectroscopy, proximate and ultimate analysis, and surface area (BET) analysis. Synthesised t-RDF composition exhibits a heating value of 22.40 ± 3.33 MJ.kg^-1, and pyrolysis gas has a heating value of 20.5 ± 1 MJ.m^-3, whereas chars are analysed to provide a maximum BET surface area of 32.71 m².g^-1. The study provides insights into sustainable methods to valorise textile waste for valuable products while reducing landfills and promoting renewable sources.