Solid char from automotive paint sludge (APS) microwave pyrolysis: effect of absorber and APS loading

Abstract

Application of microwave absorber during microwave pyrolysis process has been proven can improve the properties of desired product. In this study, activated carbon (AC) has been used as microwave absorber in the microwave pyrolysis of automotive paint sludge (APS) in order to study the effect of AC towards solid char yield. Besides that, four different sample weight loading (200 g, 300 g, 400 g and 500 g) with 300W microwave power and 30-minute radiation time also applied to the process in order to study the effect of sample weight loading towards the solid char yield. The solid char was tested for energy content, proximate and ultimate analyses. Solid char produced from the sample weight loading of 200 g with and without activated carbon (AC) seems to be a good potential to be future alternative solid fuel since it gives almost similar properties with natural solid fuel such as coal.