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Production of Diesel-Grade Fuel from Co-pyrolysis of Sawdust and Waste Plastics
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Chemical Engineering
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722268
Abstract
The increasing generation of sawdust and waste plastics presents significant environmental and waste-management challenges, while the demand for alternative liquid fuels continues to grow. This study investigated the production of diesel-grade fuel through the controlled co-pyrolysis of sawdust and waste plastics in a laboratory-scale fixed-bed stainless-steel reactor. Uda softwood sawdust, Ububra-red hardwood sawdust and C-Way waste plastic bottles were selected as feedstocks based on their carbon contents and energy potential. The feedstocks were blended at varying mass proportions and co-pyrolysed under an inert nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures of 400, 600 and 800 °C. Vapours generated during thermal decomposition were passed through a condenser, and the condensable fraction was recovered as liquid fuel. Feedstock analysis showed carbon contents of 54.68% for softwood, 57.12% for hardwood and 78.19% for the waste plastic, confirming their suitability for thermochemical conversion. The experimental results demonstrated successful conversion of the blended sawdust and waste plastics into hydrocarbon liquid fuel over the investigated operating conditions. The highest liquid-fuel yield of 72 wt.% was obtained at 800 °C using equal quantities of softwood, hardwood and waste plastic (100 g each; 1:1:1 mass ratio). The process also generated char and non-condensable volatile products as secondary fractions. These findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of converting sawdust and waste plastics into diesel-grade liquid fuel through co-pyrolysis, providing a potential waste-to-energy pathway for the recovery of useful fuel from locally available solid wastes. (Co-pyrolysis; Sawdust; Waste plastics; Diesel-grade fuel; Waste-to-energy.)
References
[1] H. Rahman, P. R. Bhoi, and P. L. Menezes, “Pyrolysis of waste plastics into fuels and chemicals: A review,” Fuel, vol. 340, Art. no. 127623, 2023.
[2] D. V. Suriapparao and R. Tejasvi, “A review on role of process parameters on pyrolysis of biomass and plastics: Present scope and future opportunities in conventional and microwave-assisted pyrolysis technologies,” Process Safety and Environmental Protection, vol. 162, pp. 435–462, 2022.
[3] S. B. Engamba Esso, J. N. Nganhou, E. M. Biloa, and co-authors, “Review on synergistic effects during co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastic waste: Significance of operating conditions and interaction mechanism,” Biomass and Bioenergy, vol. 159, Art. no. 106415, 2022.
[4] D. Muniyappan, K. K. Varma, and co-authors, “Research progress in the co-pyrolysis of renewable biomass with plastic wastes for the synergistic production of chemicals and biofuels: A review,” Fuel Processing Technology, vol. 247, Art. no. 107784, 2023.
How to cite this paper
@article{1722268,
author = {Felix Omokheobe Esemuze, Ipeghan Jonathan Otaraku, Akuma Oji},
title = {Production of Diesel-Grade Fuel from Co-pyrolysis of Sawdust and Waste Plastics},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {2},
pages = {815-819},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722268.pdf},
abstract = {The increasing generation of sawdust and waste plastics presents significant environmental and waste-management challenges, while the demand for alternative liquid fuels continues to grow. This study investigated the production of diesel-grade fuel through the controlled co-pyrolysis of sawdust and waste plastics in a laboratory-scale fixed-bed stainless-steel reactor. Uda softwood sawdust, Ububra-red hardwood sawdust and C-Way waste plastic bottles were selected as feedstocks based on their carbon contents and energy potential. The feedstocks were blended at varying mass proportions and co-pyrolysed under an inert nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures of 400, 600 and 800 °C. Vapours generated during thermal decomposition were passed through a condenser, and the condensable fraction was recovered as liquid fuel. Feedstock analysis showed carbon contents of 54.68% for softwood, 57.12% for hardwood and 78.19% for the waste plastic, confirming their suitability for thermochemical conversion. The experimental results demonstrated successful conversion of the blended sawdust and waste plastics into hydrocarbon liquid fuel over the investigated operating conditions. The highest liquid-fuel yield of 72 wt.% was obtained at 800 °C using equal quantities of softwood, hardwood and waste plastic (100 g each; 1:1:1 mass ratio). The process also generated char and non-condensable volatile products as secondary fractions. These findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of converting sawdust and waste plastics into diesel-grade liquid fuel through co-pyrolysis, providing a potential waste-to-energy pathway for the recovery of useful fuel from locally available solid wastes. (Co-pyrolysis; Sawdust; Waste plastics; Diesel-grade fuel; Waste-to-energy.)},
month = {August},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I2-1722268}
}