Abstract:
This study aimed to develop a process for producing bio-oil, char, and value-added chemicals from food waste and
plastic waste blend using co-pyrolysis under controlled conditions. The food waste (rice, vegetables, and fish) was
blended in definite ratios (70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 w/w) with polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Experiments
were conducted at various temperatures (250, 300, and 350 C) and reaction times (30, 60, 90, and 120 min). A
kinetic analysis was performed to fit experimental data, and reaction kinetics were observed to follow Arrhenius
behavior. Maximum yields of bio-oil and bio-char, 66 and 40 wt% respectively, were attained at 350 C, with
yields being strongly influenced by variations in temperature and weakly affected by variations in reaction time.
Co-pyrolysis promoted the formation of carboxylic acid, hydrocarbons, and furan derivatives. Formation of carboxylic acid could be increased by increasing the ratio of plastic waste. A maximum carboxylic acid content of
42.01% was achieved at 50% of plastic waste. Meanwhile, a maximum aliphatic hydrocarbon content of 44.6%
was obtained with a ratio of 70:30 of food waste to plastic waste at 350 C. Overall, pyrolysis of food and plastic
waste produced value-added compounds that can be used as biofuels and for a variety of other applications.
