The Disposal of Combed Cotton Wastes by Pyrolysis

The main objective of this work is to propose an alternative method for disposing of combed cotton wastes consisting of swatches with various sizes and shapes. For this purpose, pyrolysis of combed cotton waste was conducted in a fixed bed reactor with the final temperatures of 450, 500, 550, and 600°C. Effect of the experimental conditions such as temperature, catalyst type on the formation of liquid, gas, and char products were investigated and product yields were measured. The highest liquid product efficiency was achieved with 29.74% at the temperature of 550°C. CaCO3 and Na2CO3 were used as catalysts. Na2CO3 was found to be more effective catalyst than CaCO3 The properties of the obtained liquid product were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Furans, ketones, aldehydes, less carboxylic acids, and hydrocarbons were detected in the content of liquid product. The calorific values of raw material, liquid product, and char were also determined by using IKA C 200 calorimeter. The results clearly indicated that both temperature and catalyst type affect the formation of liquid product. Pyrolysis may be a useful way of waste management for energy and material recovery. Keywords: Combed cotton wastesPyrolysisTextile fibersCatalystCellulosePolymer moleculesOptimum temperature ACKNOWLEDGMENT This study was supported by Gebze Instıtute of Technology under the project no. 2009-A18.