Low temperature co-pyrolysis of food waste with PVC-derived char: Products distributions, char properties and mechanism of bio-oil upgrading.

The main components of municipal solid waste (MSW) include food waste (FW) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which present an opportunity to convert energy or value-added products through low-temperature synergetic pyrolysis. In this study, the characteristics of char and bio-oil derived from MSW, FW and PVC feedstocks via pyrolysis at relatively low temperatures (200–300 °C) for 60 min were investigated. The results revealed that the transformation of PVC to HCl gas production started at a temperature of ＞ 200 °C. The oxygenated carbon groups on the char surface were decomposed at elevated reaction temperatures. The relative molecular mass of bio-oil derived from FW increased when PVC-derived char was used as a catalyst at 250 °C. In addition, active functional groups and pore structures were formed through synergistic pyrolysis. This work provides information regarding the possible route underlying the network of char and bio-oil production from the synergistic conversion of FW and PVC-derived char. Image 1 • Low temperature pyrolysis of municipal solid waste (MSW), food waste (FW), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were compared. • Bio-oil and gas yield decreased at lower interaction temperature with PVC. • PVC-derived char additives promote the upgrading of bio-oil derived from food waste. • Activity functional groups and pore structure were formed through synergistic pyrolysis. • A possible route is provided for char and bio-oil production from the synergistic conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]