Combustion of a Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) Produced from the Polymeric Fraction of Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR)

The use of alternative fuels derived from residues in energy-intensive industries that rely on fossil fuels can cause considerable energy cost savings, but also significant environmental benefits by conserving non-renewable resources and reducing waste disposal. However, the switching from conventional to alternative fuels is challenging for industries, which require a sound understanding of the properties and combustion characteristics of the alternative fuel, in order to adequately adapt their industrial processes and equipment for its utilization. In this work, a solid recovered fuel (SRF) obtained from the polymeric fraction of an automotive shredder residue is tested for use as an alternative fuel for scrap preheating in an aluminium refinery. The material and chemical composition of the SRF has been extensively characterized using proximate and ultimate analyses, calorific values and thermal degradation studies. Considering the calorific value and the chlorine and mercury contents measured, the SRF can be designated as class code NCV 1; Cl 2; Hg 2 (EN ISO 21640:2021). The combustion of the SRF was studied in a laboratory-scale pilot plant, where the effects of temperature, flow, and an oxidizer were determined. The ash remaining after combustion, the collected liquid, and the generated gas phase were analysed in each test. It was observed that increasing the residence time of the gas at a high temperature allowed for a better combustion of the SRF. The oxidizer type was important for increasing the total combustion of the vapour compounds generated during the oxidation of the SRF and for avoiding uncontrolled combustion.

Chemical characterisation of polymerised extractives in bleached birch kraft pulp

The main aim of this study was to chemically characterise the polymeric fraction of birch pulp extractives. We showed that 70–96% of the material in extracts of fully bleached birch kraft elemental chlorine-free (ECF) pulp from three Finnish mills consists of compounds that are undetectable by conventional gas chromatography (GC) analysis, i.e. high-molar mass (HM) material. There were small variations in the extractive content and composition between the three mills, but the overall trend was the same. The HM material was present mainly in the acetone extracts, and the molar mass was shown to range between ca. 1000 and 10 000 Da. Alkaline hydrolysis of the hexane and acetone extracts released fatty acids (FAs) especially, but also sterols and triterpenoids. The dominating FAs were palmitic and stearic acids. Pyrolysis and thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation (THM)-GC-mass spectrometry (MS) analyses confirmed that the HM material consists mainly of FA units, and additionally of sterol, triterpenoid and aromatic units. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis further confirmed the presence of FAs containing aromatic groups, but also glycerol units. The FA chains seemed to be linked to each other by ester linkages mainly, although ether linkages were also present. The FA oligomers and polymers may have a suberin-like structure.

Characterization of the Non-Polymeric Fraction of Post-Consumer LCD Monitor Housings

This work aims to characterize the non-polymeric components, usually present as additives to perform different functions, present in the polymer housing of post-consumer computer monitors, in order to help finding the most adequate recycling destination for such material. The non-polymeric fraction was characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), loss on ignition (LOI), chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and atomic absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). TG analysis indicated that the polymer has about 4 wt% of inorganic materials (performed in N2 atmosphere), whereas LOI (performed in ambient atmosphere) indicated just 0.07 wt%. The XRF, SEM/EDS analyses, and atomic absorption spectroscopy of the post-fired material confirmed the presence of many elements. Nonetheless, toxicological relevant elements showed acceptable concentration levels, below 0.01 ppm. The XRD analysis indicated the presence of crystalline phases based on CaCO3, SiO2 and TiO2.

Synthesis, characterization and properties of polymers containing simultaneously the imine and amide moieties.

We present the synthesis of polymers by means of self-condensation of ethyl 3-aminophenyl acetate, using HCl as catalyst at high temperature and reduced pressure. This polymer was fractionated by successive precipitation from mixtures of methanol/diethylether of different polarity, yielding three polymeric fractions: Poly A, Poly B and Poly C. Likewise, under the same conditions, 3- aminophenyl acetic acid yields only one polymeric fraction, Poly D. These polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and, in some cases, by 1H-NMR and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The obtained results show that polymers can be classified as hybrid materials, because in the backbone, they contain simultaneously the amide and imine groups and, at the end of the chain, they have amine and carboxylic acid functions. High solubility of some of these polymers in DMF or methanol has permitted the determination of viscosities and the preparation of films. Poly B and Poly C films exhibit amorphous morphology; and Poly D display spherullitic-type semi-crystallization pattern. The polymers can absorb solvents and they can swell up forming large-sized gels in DMF and methanol. Besides these polymers have high thermal stability that reaches a weight loss of 11.60% at 353 °C.