Thermogravimetric analysis and kinetic study of pyrolysis and combustion of residual textile sludge

Abstract

Textile sludge, a by-product of effluent treatment, has potential for use in the energy sector; however, in most cases, it is disposed of in landfills with no generation of energy. In this context, the objective of this study was to carry out a thermogravimetric evaluation of a residual sludge sample obtained from a textile effluent treatment plant. Combustion and pyrolysis of the sample were performed. The samples were also characterized through ultimate analysis and the calorific value. The samples were heated from ambient temperature to 750 °C at three constant rates (5, 10, and 20 °C min−1) in the combustion tests. For the pyrolysis process, a fixed heating rate of 20 °C min−1 was applied. The residual textile sludge, when subjected to the thermal processes of combustion and pyrolysis, lost approximately 50 % of its initial mass at temperatures between 170 and 600 °C. The average inferior calorific value of the sample was 11.50 MJ kg−1. The results indicate the feasibility of using textile sludge as an alternative source of fuel for energy generation.