Conversion of thermocol waste into fuel oil over nickel oxide: kinetics and fuel properties of the oil

Thermocol which is made of polystyrene is used for different purposes including insulation and packaging. After use, it is thrown away as waste, and hence contaminates the environment. Therefore, the present study is focused on conversion of thermocol into fuel oil using nickel oxide as catalyst. Thermogravimetry and a pyrolysis chamber were used to pyrolyze thermocol waste both in presence and absence of catalyst. In the pyrolysis chamber, the highest oil yield was obtained at 370 & DEG;C, 5% catalyst, and 70 min reaction time. GC-MS was performed of the obtained oil and it was observed that the quantity of some fuel-range hydrocarbons such as ethyl benzene had increased to 35%. Additionally, TG analysis of the sample with/without catalyst was carried out at different heating rates and the resultant information was used for calculating kinetic parameters applying Coats Redfern (CR) and Ozawa Flynn Wall (OFW) models. The use of catalyst reduced the activation energy and enhanced the quality of oil. The oil produced from thermocol waste in the presence of a catalyst was compared to diesel, gasoline, and kerosene oil and found as a viable fossil fuel alternative.