1

1. THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1.1. Introduction of the Study

The global energy demand is ca. 11,000 Mtoe (million tons of oil equivalent) and

its increase rate was 2.2% in 2018 (iea.org, 2020). It is covered mainly (80%) by fossil-

based fuels (26% coal, 31% oil, 23% gas), and the rest, 5% nuclear, 14% renewable.

(iea.org/, 2020). In view of projected climate change associated with increasing carbon

net dioxide emissions coming from fossil fuels, countries are now encouraged to use

carbon-neutral renewable energy. In 2019, the world use of renewable energy increased

by 3.7%, i.e., 75 Mtoe.

The Philippines total energy consumption was 60 Mtoe in 2018 (energydata.net)

and it has been increasing at 5.2% per year (energy data.net, 2020). The energy supply is

ca. 70% from fossil fuels, ca. 70% (33% oil, 31% coal and lignite, 6% natural gas) and

ca. 30% from renewable energy sources (geothermal, hydro and biomass)(ADB, 2018;

energydata.net, 2020). Biomass covered 14% of the demand in 2018 (energydata.net,

2020). The total power peak demand in 2019 was 15,581 MW, which was 5.4% higher

than that in 2018 (DOE, 2020). The biggest share of final energy is consumed by the

transport sector (36%) followed by the industry sector (29%) (ADB, 2018)
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2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1. Related Literature

Pyrolysis process is considered as a green technology because it allows recovery

of substantial energy value of many types of waste materials, allows production of fuels

that can be used in transport sector and industry. Moreover, it does not contaminate water

resource (Saffarzadeh et al., 2006; Abnisa and Wan, 2014). This can be used in waste-to

energy systems, even for electric power generation, and can be an alternative to

incineration type of waste-to-energy systems (Chen et al., 2015; Sipra et al., 2018).

Plastic pyrolysis degrades long chain polymer molecules into simpler ones (Sharuddin et

al, 2016), but requires high heat in the absence of oxygen (Panda et al., 2018). The

temperature requirement for plastic pyrolysis is between 350oC and 900oC. Reaction

temperature and residence time in the reactor are the main process factors (Panda et al.,

2018; Al-Salem et al., 2009). The output oil or gas has high quality when done at suitable

temperature, reactor and feedstock. Pyrolysis product yield can be manipulated based on

the parameters used during the process (Bridgewater, 2012). The produced pyrolysis oil

can be used in different engine applications (Bridgwater 2012).

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3. METHODOLOGY

3.1 Project Planning

The feedstocks coconut husk (CH) and laminated plastic packaging (LPP) were

prepared and characterized in terms of calorific value and Fourier transform infrared

(FTIR) spectra. The former was needed in evaluating the energy yield of co-pyrolysis at

various process parameters. The latter was needed in assessing the main components of

the CH and LPP. The thermal degradation behavior of the feedstocks and their blends

were determined using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The results of the

thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to determine the degradation kinetics and

activation energy. The FTIR spectra of the emitted gas during the thermal degradation of

the CH and LPP and their blends were determined to determine the main groups of

substances present in the produced gases and oil, which consist of the condensable

portion of the emitted gas.

Batch co-pyrolysis runs were performed at various CH and LPP blends,

temperatures and particles sizes, following a response surface methodology, particularly a

Box-Behnken design of experiment. The response parameters were calorific value of the

pyrolysis oil product, the oil yield and oil-energy yield in the batch runs. Mathematical

models showing the dependence of the response parameters on the three process

parameters (%CH, temperature, particle size) were generated and the conditions for

optimum oil yield, calorific value and oil-energy yield was determined using the models.

The pyrolysis oil product at process conditions for optimum heating value was

characterized in terms of its properties as a fuel and compared with standards for

petroleum based fuels.

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4. DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

4.1. Main components of coconut husk and plastic packaging materials

according to FTIR

The FTIR spectra of coconut husks and the various types of laminated plastic

packaging, such as shampoo sachet and laminated plastic and aluminum film packaging

for snack food are shown in figure 4.1. The similarity of the FTIR spectra of the

feedstock materials used were compared with those in an FTIR library are presented in

table 4.1.

100%CH
0.40
0.30
absorbance

0.20
0.10
0.00
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500
wavenumber (cm-1)

100%LPP
1.00
0.80
absorbance

0.60
0.40
0.20
0.00
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500
wavenumber (cm-1)

Fig. 4.1 FTIR spectra of coconut husk (CH) and laminated plastic packaging (LPP)
materials. For comparison purposes, sample FTIR spectra of cellulose, hemicellulose,
lignin, PET, PE and PP from literature are shown in Appendix 1.
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Table 4.1 FTIR results of different feedstock used

Feed stock material Materials having similar FTIR spectra from Percentage Match or
FTIR library similarity (%)
Coconut husk Chipboard with 10.7% N 58.77
Chipboard with 3.6% methylene 57.98
bis(phenylisocyanate)
Wood + melamine-formaldehyde resin 57.12
Cellulose + lignin 57.06

Laminated plastic Poly(ethylene terephthalate) 87.4

packaging Poly(butylene terephthalate) 80.41
(shampoo sachet 1) Poly(ethylene terephthalate) 78.48
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) 77.28

Laminated plastic Poly(ethylene terephthalate) 86.53

packaging Poly(butylene terephthalate) 80.89
(shampoo sachet 2) Poly(ethylene terephthalate) 79.33
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) 78.17

Laminated plastic Polypropylene, isotactic 95.01

packaging Polypropylene + poly(ethylene:propylene) 90.87
(food snack 1) Polypropylene, isotactic 90.22
Polypropylene, atactic 88.11

Laminated plastic Polypropylene, isotactic 96.62

packaging Polypropylene, isotactic 92.81
(food snack 2) Polypropylene + poly(ethylene:propylene) 90.90
Polypropylene, atactic 90.32

The comparison with FTIR of various materials in an FTIR library shows that the

coconut husk FTIR spectra is similar (ca. 57% match) to that of samples containing cellulose and

lignin. This confirms previous reports on coconut husk fiber composition, where hemicellulose is

the least part of coconut husk. It contain 11-23% hemicellulose, 18-36% cellulose and 32-55%

lignin (Ding et al.,., 2012; Aziz et al., 2019). The FTIR spectra of laminated sachet for shampoo

is similar to those of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) while the FTIR spectra of laminated

sachet for snack foods resemble those of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). This

confirms the composition given by most sachet-type packaging materials manufacturers.

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5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1. Conclusions

This study looked into the potential of non-catalytic co-pyrolysis as a means of

converting waste single-use laminated plastic packaging and coconut husk to liquid fuel. Overall,

this study elucidated the factors influencing the process and how the co-pyrolysis process of

these specific waste materials behaves. The results have lead to the following specific

conclusions:

1. The HHV of coconut husk was 13-17 MJ/kg. The waste single-use laminated plastic

packaging (LPP), composed of 50% shampoo sachet and 50% snack food pouch, and

found to contain mainly PP, PE and PET, has a HHV value of 36-41 MJ/kg.

2. The thermal degradation (at constant heating rate of 20°Cmin-1) of the LPP occurs at

390-520°C. The degradation of CH occurs at lower temperatures 210-390°C and at

two stages with peak rates for hemicellulose at 200-260°C, and 390-520°C for

cellulose. The thermal degradation of CH-LPP blends occurs in two stages: first

stage for the hemicellulose and cellulose parts of CH and the second stage for the

LPP, remaining CH, including lignin.

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