The investigation of the effects of two different polymers and three catalysts on pyrolysis of hazelnut shell

This study covers an investigation of three catalyst candidates namely; calcium carbonate (CaCO 3), Perlite and potassium dichromate (K 2Cr 2O 7) on pyrolysis of mixtures of hazelnut shell (HS) with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) by measuring percentages of solid, liquid and gas products amounts gravimetrically. Pyrolysis processes were executed in a batch type tubular reactor at 500 and 650 °C for fifteen minutes. Catalysts have behaved differently on compounded mixtures. Especially the obtained liquid products from pyrolysis of mixtures shows smooth distribution compared to anomalous results of pure raw materials. The effect of catalysts on the pyrolysis of HS becomes more obvious in the presence of polymers which produces more gaseous product for K 2Cr 2O 7 case. The other catalysts (CaCO 3, Perlite) are more effective without addition of polymers which produce more liquid products. The ratio of HS should not be beyond the 0.5 for production of commercial materials and in their possible recycling process such as pyrolysis for acquisition of combustible liquids. These results may allow some clues for compounding of environmentally safe commercial materials, and easy and efficient recycling technologies. ► Co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastics is really an eccentric study. ► It is also compulsory for sustainable development in environmental perspective. ► The diversity of biomass and plastic material, and their permutational probability of co-existence make the situation more troublesome and exciting. ► The retrieving of catalysts in pyrolysis should not only be concentrated on their chemical properties but also physical nature due to incompatible mixture character of plastics with biomass. ► The above considerations provided probable acquisition of valuable substances from these mixtures.