Pseudo-Master Curves approach for analyzing primary pyrolysis kinetics of plastics

Among thermochemical conversion technologies—including gasification and pyrolysis—primary pyrolysis plays a crucial role as the initial reaction stage. However, the diverse properties of feedstocks and the complexity of reaction mechanisms pose significant challenges for validating kinetic models and selecting appropriate parameters. In this study, we propose a graphical analysis approach using Pseudo-Master Curves (PMCs) as an intuitive method for evaluating kinetic models and parameters in the primary pyrolysis of various organic materials. In particular, the PMCs concept originally developed for coal pyrolysis is extended to plastics, and its applicability is demonstrated within a unified framework for both single-step reaction systems and systems with multi-parallel reactions, enabling visual discrimination of model suitability and parameter consistency. Thermogravimetric pyrolysis experiments were conducted, including those at a relatively high heating rate of 100 K min$^{−1}$. When the assumed kinetic model and activation energy are appropriate, data from multiple heating rates converge onto a single curve, allowing the reaction order and frequency factor to be identified. ... mehrThis graphical procedure clarifies the workflow of parameter identification compared with the commonly used trial-and-error approach.