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Effects of Temperature and Feedstock Blending Ratios on the Yield and Energy Content of Diesel Produced by Co-pyrolysis of Sawdust and Waste Plastics
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Chemical Engineering
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722194
Abstract
Temperature and feedstock blending ratio are among the most influential operating parameters affecting the yield and quality of liquid fuels produced through co-pyrolysis. This study investigated the effects of reaction temperature and feedstock blending ratios on the liquid oil yield and calorific value of diesel-grade fuel produced from the co-pyrolysis of hardwood sawdust, softwood sawdust and waste plastics. Co-pyrolysis experiments were conducted in a laboratory-scale fixed-bed batch reactor using a Design-Expert Version 13 experimental design comprising twenty-eight experimental runs. Reaction temperature and feedstock blending ratio were selected as the independent variables, while liquid oil yield and calorific value were considered as the response variables. The experimental data were analysed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the individual and interactive effects of the process variables and to determine the optimum operating conditions. The results showed that both temperature and feedstock blending ratio significantly influenced liquid oil yield and fuel energy content. Increasing the reaction temperature improved thermal decomposition and volatile release, resulting in increased liquid oil production up to the optimum operating condition. The highest liquid oil yield of 72 wt.% was obtained at 800 °C using an equal feedstock blending ratio (1:1:1) of hardwood sawdust, softwood sawdust and waste plastics. The response surface models adequately predicted the experimental responses and demonstrated good agreement between the predicted and experimental values. Statistical analysis confirmed that the developed models were significant and suitable for optimisation of the co-pyrolysis process. The study demonstrates that appropriate control of reaction temperature and feedstock blending ratio substantially enhances both product yield and energy content, providing an effective approach for producing high-quality diesel-grade fuel from biomass and plastic wastes.
Keywords
Co-Pyrolysis, Sawdust, Waste Plastics, Reaction Temperature, Liquid Oil Yield.
How to cite this paper
@article{1722194,
author = {Felix Omokheobe Esemuze, Ipeghan Jonathan Otaraku, Akuma Oji},
title = {Effects of Temperature and Feedstock Blending Ratios on the Yield and Energy Content of Diesel Produced by Co-pyrolysis of Sawdust and Waste Plastics},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {2},
pages = {789-792},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722194.pdf},
abstract = {Temperature and feedstock blending ratio are among the most influential operating parameters affecting the yield and quality of liquid fuels produced through co-pyrolysis. This study investigated the effects of reaction temperature and feedstock blending ratios on the liquid oil yield and calorific value of diesel-grade fuel produced from the co-pyrolysis of hardwood sawdust, softwood sawdust and waste plastics. Co-pyrolysis experiments were conducted in a laboratory-scale fixed-bed batch reactor using a Design-Expert Version 13 experimental design comprising twenty-eight experimental runs. Reaction temperature and feedstock blending ratio were selected as the independent variables, while liquid oil yield and calorific value were considered as the response variables. The experimental data were analysed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the individual and interactive effects of the process variables and to determine the optimum operating conditions. The results showed that both temperature and feedstock blending ratio significantly influenced liquid oil yield and fuel energy content. Increasing the reaction temperature improved thermal decomposition and volatile release, resulting in increased liquid oil production up to the optimum operating condition. The highest liquid oil yield of 72 wt.% was obtained at 800 °C using an equal feedstock blending ratio (1:1:1) of hardwood sawdust, softwood sawdust and waste plastics. The response surface models adequately predicted the experimental responses and demonstrated good agreement between the predicted and experimental values. Statistical analysis confirmed that the developed models were significant and suitable for optimisation of the co-pyrolysis process. The study demonstrates that appropriate control of reaction temperature and feedstock blending ratio substantially enhances both product yield and energy content, providing an effective approach for producing high-quality diesel-grade fuel from biomass and plastic wastes.},
keywords = {Co-Pyrolysis, Sawdust, Waste Plastics, Reaction Temperature, Liquid Oil Yield.},
month = {August},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722194}
}