Textile waste pyrolysis: an innovative method for petrochemicals generation for sustainable economic, technological...

The disposal of wastes into landfills, which has worsened the ecosystem, has made textile waste in the third world a major environmental problem. Textile waste is an environmental hazard as it biodegrades quickly and is improperly disposed of. This research is a demonstration of the study and application of textile waste pyrolysis as an innovative method for petrochemical generation for sustainable economic, technological and environmental advancement. The researchers converted textile waste (TEXW) into petrochemicals using pyrolysis. The obtained petrochemicals were fractionated after purification and characterisation using GC-MS while the physicochemical parameters of the fractionated liquid petrochemicals were analysed using standard methods. The results of the analysis showed that the liquid oil contains: carbamate (7.69%), silicic acid (4.73%), cyclotrisiloxane (4.09%), cyclohexane (7.47%), pro-2-ynyl-E-2-methylbut-2-enote (6.24%), cyclododecanol (3.95%), undec-10-ynoic acid (3.95%), 8,8-dimethylspirol-4,6-undecane-6,10-dione (3.47%), phenol (5.95%) and 1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-amine (3.85%). The results of the physico-chemical parameters of the liquid petrochemicals ranged: relative density (0.4250-0.8528 g/cm³), absolute viscosity (0.3436-0.8788 mPas), kinematic viscosity (0.4097-3.880 mm²/s), specific gravity at 15/15 °C (0.8528-0.9556 kg/m³) and flash point (15-20 °C). After blending, it was observed that a 20% v/v blend of the petrochemicals enhance the physicochemical properties of major petroleum products (PMS, kerosene, diesel). It could be concluded that the use of liquid petrochemicals for the enhancement of petroleum parameters would go a long way in alleviating basic cost associated with petroleum product production.