Study of co-pyrolysis of olive kernel with waste biomass using TGA/DTG/MS

Abstract The evolution of the pyrolysis products of olive kernel, a municipal solid waste fraction and a sewage sludge was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively, using a properly developed and calibrated system of coupled thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG/MS). The TG/MS profiles of the volatile products were also related to the pyrolysis thermograms, after their deconvolution which was performed using an independent parallel reaction kinetic model. The results from the co-pyrolysis of two mixtures of olive kernel with the municipal waste fraction and with sewage sludge at 7:3 mixing ratio revealed strong synergy effects on the production of CO up to 600 °C and the production of H 2 at elevated temperatures. Other compounds were found to present slight synergistic (hydrocarbons up to C 3 , HCl, HCN) or additive behavior (CO 2 , H 2 O, NH 3 ). No significant effect of co-pyrolysis on the anticipated quantities of char, tar and on the heating value of the pyrolysis gases of the mixtures was observed.