Modeling the thermal decomposition of automotive shredder residue

The pyrolysis and combustion of automotive shredder residue (ASR) were studied by dynamic thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry at heating rates of 5, 15 and 30 K min−1 at atmospheric pressure. For the simulation of pyrolysis and combustion processes, two different kinetic models are proposed. One of them is based on the distribution of activation energies (DAEM), with three pools of reactants (three pseudocomponents) because of the complexity of the samples studied. The other model assumes a simple first-order decomposition of the three different fractions. The experimental thermogravimetric data of pyrolysis (oxygen absence) and combustion (at two different oxygen concentrations) processes were simultaneously fitted to determine a single set of kinetic parameters able to describe both processes at the different heating rates. The comparison of the models permits to discuss the importance to consider a DAEM. The experimental results and kinetic parameters may provide useful data for the design of thermal decomposition processing system using ASR as feedstock.