The co-pyrolysis of pomelo peel (PMP), papaya peel (PAP), and watermelon peel (WMP) was experimentally investigated. Specifically, a thermogravimetric analyzer was employed at varying heating rates (8, 16, 24, and 32 °C/min) to analyze the thermal degradation behavior, and the kinetic parameters were estimated using the Friedman method, complemented by the master plot technique. Meanwhile, pyrolysis products were generated in a horizontal tube reactor, and the gaseous products were subsequently analyzed via gas chromatography. The results showed that PMP exhibited the highest volatile matter content, the greatest higher heating value, and the lowest ash content compared to the other individual samples. PAP had the highest average activation energy, with <InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="13399_2025_6550_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="19" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="21" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\overline{E}_{{\text{a}}}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mover> <mi>E</mi> <mo>¯</mo> </mover> <mtext>a</mtext> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> = 157.74 kJ/mol. When PAP was mixed with PMP and WMP, the <InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="13399_2025_6550_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="19" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="21" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\overline{E}_{{\text{a}}}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mover> <mi>E</mi> <mo>¯</mo> </mover> <mtext>a</mtext> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> decreased to 147.35 and 139.27 kJ/mol, respectively. For the PMP + PAP, PAP + WMP, and PMP + PAP + WMP blends, ΔEa was predominantly negative across the α range, suggesting an overall positive synergy. Additionally, the thermal decomposition of all samples followed an order-based reaction mechanism. The thermodynamic analysis indicated that all reactions were endothermic and non-spontaneous. In terms of pyrolysis products, WMP generated the highest solid yield (38.14%). However, when WMP was mixed with PMP and PAP in binary and ternary blends, the solid yield decreased while the liquid yield increased. Gas yields for all samples were higher than those of other product categories, with the maximum yields of CO2 and CO observed in the 450–550 °C range and higher yields of H2 and CH4 obtained at elevated temperatures. The co-pyrolysis of fruit peel waste demonstrates potential as a sustainable waste management strategy, offering valuable prospects for energy production and resource utilization.

Experimental investigation of co-pyrolysis of fruit peel waste: Impact of blending on thermal degradation behavior, kinetics, and products

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发表日期：

2025年1月31日

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Tarique Ahmed Memon,
Xiaoke Ku,
Vikul Vasudev,
Shri Ram

摘要

The co-pyrolysis of pomelo peel (PMP), papaya peel (PAP), and watermelon peel (WMP) was experimentally investigated. Specifically, a thermogravimetric analyzer was employed at varying heating rates (8, 16, 24, and 32 °C/min) to analyze the thermal degradation behavior, and the kinetic parameters were estimated using the Friedman method, complemented by the master plot technique. Meanwhile, pyrolysis products were generated in a horizontal tube reactor, and the gaseous products were subsequently analyzed via gas chromatography. The results showed that PMP exhibited the highest volatile matter content, the greatest higher heating value, and the lowest ash content compared to the other individual samples. PAP had the highest average activation energy, with $\overline{E}_{{\text{a}}}$ ${\bar{E}}_{a}$ = 157.74 kJ/mol. When PAP was mixed with PMP and WMP, the $\overline{E}_{{\text{a}}}$ ${\bar{E}}_{a}$ decreased to 147.35 and 139.27 kJ/mol, respectively. For the PMP + PAP, PAP + WMP, and PMP + PAP + WMP blends, ΔE_a was predominantly negative across the α range, suggesting an overall positive synergy. Additionally, the thermal decomposition of all samples followed an order-based reaction mechanism. The thermodynamic analysis indicated that all reactions were endothermic and non-spontaneous. In terms of pyrolysis products, WMP generated the highest solid yield (38.14%). However, when WMP was mixed with PMP and PAP in binary and ternary blends, the solid yield decreased while the liquid yield increased. Gas yields for all samples were higher than those of other product categories, with the maximum yields of CO₂ and CO observed in the 450–550 °C range and higher yields of H₂ and CH₄ obtained at elevated temperatures. The co-pyrolysis of fruit peel waste demonstrates potential as a sustainable waste management strategy, offering valuable prospects for energy production and resource utilization.