Co-combustion characteristics of paper sludge and combustible construction and demolition waste

Abstract

Combustion characteristics and hazardous gas emissions were investigated by using TG-FTIR under individual and co-combustion of paper sludge (PPS), combustible construction and demolition wastes (CCDW) and its components. The interaction between PPS and CCDW during co-combustion at different PPS ratios was predicted by mass-weighted method. Kinetic parameters under individual and co-combustion of PPS and CCDW were calculated by using three model-free methods involving Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-Akah-Sunose (KAS) and Starink. The obtained results indicated that the residue of co-combustion with PPS and CCDW gradually increased when PPS ratio increased from 30% to 70%. Co-combustion of PPS and CCDW improves combustion characteristics and mass-weighted method can be used to predict their TG/DTG curves. A significant interaction between PPS and CCDW was clarified, especially at the high temperature stage greater than 400 °C. The activation energy calculated by FWO method has higher accuracy for co-combustion of PPS and CCDW. Co-combustion of PPS and CCDW can effectively reduce the emission of hazardous gases. A suggested PPS ratio of 50% was proposed for improving combustion characteristics and reducing the hazardous gas emissions during co-combustion of PPS and CCDW.