The pyrolysis characteristics of pine powder and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), respectively representing the biomass and plastics components of municipal solid waste, were studied in a thermogravimetric analyzer, and the influence of heating rate on pyrolysis characteristics was also investigated. The pyrolysis temperature was heated from ambient up to 900 °C at different heating rates including 10, 20 and 40 °Cmin-1. The pyrolysis of pine powder was composed of two obvious weight loss phases, which were dehydration and the decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose. The lignin in pine powder decomposed over a broad temperature range until 900°C. The pyrolysis of PVC was complicated, and included the release of hydrogen chloride (HCl), the formation of hydrocarbons. Besides, the additives in PVC decomposed at about 600 °C. The TG and DTG curves of pyrolysis for pine powder and PVC were similar at different heating rates, however, each weight loss phase of pyrolysis was shifted to high temperature with increasing the heating rate.
Polyvinyl chloride plastics in municipal solid waste combustion. Impact upon dioxin emissions: A synthesis of views
