Properties of Co-Pyrolysed Palm Kernel Shell and Plastic Grocery Bag with CaO as Catalyst

Abstract

This study aims to improve quality of pyrolytic oil by co-pyrolysis of palm kernel shell and grocery bag plastic waste with additional CaO as a natural catalyst. Palm Kernel shell was mixed with LDPE grocery bag in the ratio of 1:1 and additional CaO was presented in various weights. The pyrolysis of pure Palm Kernel shell and LDPE grocery bag their self were also observed. The raw material mixture then was heated in the fixed bed pyrolyzer in various temperatures, namely 400 to 500 °C. The obtained pyrolytic oil was analyzed to determine its physical and chemical properties such as density, viscosity, acidity, caloric value and its chemical composition. The results revealed that the increasing pyrolysis temperature affected the increasing of pyrolytic oil yield, from 25.3 % to 48.3 %, with reducing of uncondensable gas yield, from 44.8 % to 25.0 %. The various temperatures also affected the physical and chemical properties. The density increased with the increasing of pyrolysis temperature, however, the pH and caloric value decreased due to the increasing of oxygenated compounds. The pyrolytic oil viscosities were various from 1.4 to 156.4 cP at 60 °C.