| Abstract |
Solid waste is considered as one of the key feedstocks for the chemical industry to stimulate the world's transition toward a circular economy. Therefore, a novel production process, catalytic pressureless depolymerization (CPD), for conversion of waste to high-energy density liquid fuel has been studied. More specifically, the organic fractions recovered from demolition waste and municipal solid waste were liquefied and deoxygenated in a CPD pilot plant with 150 L h(-1)(4.2 X 10(-5) m(3) s(-1).) liquid fuel capacity. The produced fuels were characterized by elemental analysis, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC X GC), and the ISO tests for automotive diesel established by the EN 590:2009 Standard. The studied fuels showed very low oxygen contents (<0.4 wt %) and a high share of paraffins (>40 wt %). The carbon range of the fuel obtained from demolition wood was wider than that of the fuel obtained from municipal solid waste (C-5-C-29 vs. C-6-C-22). The flash points (54, 46 degrees C), the sulfur contents (40, 80 ppmw), and the cetane numbers (43, 33) did not comply with the respective requirements for automotive diesel (i.e., >= 55 degrees C, <10 ppmw, and >= 51). Nevertheless, both fuels showed salient cold filter plugging points (-14, -15 degrees C) and cloud points (-15,-44 degrees C), which are indicative of good fuel performance at extreme winter conditions. The wide carbon number distribution, especially toward the lower range (i.e., carbon number < C,,), suggests that the studied fuels can be split into a kerosene-like and a diesel-like cut. Overall, the fuels from the CPD process exhibit great potential as alternative transportation fuel; however, selecting the starting material is crucial for minimizing costly hydrotreating. |