Paper Title
Biomass Pyrolysis: Thermogravimetric Analysis of Paper Biomass and Plastic Mixtures

Abstract
The pyrolysis of pure biomass, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), plastic mixtures [HDPE+PP+PET (1 : 1 : 1)], and biomass/plastic mixture (9 : 1, 3 : 1, 1 : 1, 1 : 3 and 1 : 9) were investigated by using a thermogravimetric analyzer under a heating rate at 10 oC/min from room temperature to 800 oC. Paper was selected as the biomass sample. Results obtained from this comprehensive investigation indicated that biomass was decomposed mainly in the temperature range of 290-420 oC, whereas thermal degradation temperature of plastic mixture is 390-550 oC. The percentage weight loss difference (W) between experimental and theoretical ones was calculated, which reached a significantly high value of (−)15 to (−)50% at around 450 oC in various blend materials. These thermogravimetric results indicate the presence of significant interaction and synergistic effect between biomass and plastic mixtures during their co-pyrolysis at the high temperature region. With increase in the amount of plastic mixture in blend material, the char production has diminished at final pyrolysis temperature range. Keywords - Solid waste management Co-pyrolysis Biomass Plastics Cobalt catalyst