A study on the kinetics and thermal decomposition behavior during the non-catalytic co-pyrolysis of pineapple crown waste (PCW) and polyethylene (PE)

Unlike plastic, biomass can be converted into high-quality alternative fuel. This study investigated the co-pyrolysis of pineapple crown wastes (PCW) and poly-ethylene plastic (PE). The synergy between these two feedstocks was evaluated using thermogravimetric (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) analyses. The Coats-Redfern method was employed to determine the activation energy during synergy analysis. The results indicated that the activation energy ranged from 17 to 200 KJ/mol, depending on the composition of the co-pyrolysis mixture. The thermal degradation occurred in two stages: PCW degraded at temperatures between 170 and 400°C, while PE degraded at temperatures between 400 and 550°C. The co-pyrolysis of PCW and PE shows potential as an alternative fuel source and offers a solution to community waste problems.