Kinetic modelling of RDF pyrolysis: Model-fitting and model-free approaches

In this study, refuse derived fuel (RDF) was selected as solid fuel and it was pyrolyzed in a thermal analyzer from room temperature to 900 degrees C at heating rates of 5, 10, 20, and 50 degrees C/min in N-2 atmosphere. The obtained thermal data was used to calculate the kinetic parameters using Coats-Redfern, Friedman, Flylnn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) methods. As a result of Coats-Redfern model, decomposition process was assumed to be four independent reactions with different reaction orders. On the other hand, model free methods demonstrated that activation energy trend had similarities for the reaction progresses of 0.1, 0.2-0.7 and 0.8-0.9. The average activation energies were found between 73-161 kJ/mol and it is possible to say that FWO and KAS models produced closer results to the average activation energies compared to Friedman model. Experimental studies showed that RDF may be a sustainable and promising feedstock for alternative processes in terms of waste management strategies. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.