Pyrolysis of food waste over a Pt catalyst in CO₂ atmosphere

In this study, a method of disposing food waste is introduced via catalytic pyrolysis under CO₂ condition. The catalyst and CO₂ hindered the generation of condensable compounds, leading to enhancing non-condensable gas generation. However, they did not affect the amount of solid residues left after the thermal reaction. The amount of condensable cyclic compounds was reduced when the catalyst and/or CO₂ were used. The enhancement of non-condensable gas production and reduction of cyclic compounds formation were maximized when the Pt catalyst and CO₂ were simultaneously applied to the pyrolysis of food waste. For instance, approximately 67.3 % less cyclic compounds, including benzene derivatives, were generated at 700 °C in the presence of the catalyst under a CO₂ atmosphere compared to non-catalytic conditions without CO₂. The results suggest that a CO₂-assisted catalytic pyrolysis is as environmentally benign disposal method for food waste.