Products’ composition of food waste low-temperature slow pyrolysis

¹ Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
² College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Middlesex UB8 3PH, Uxbridge, UK
³ Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland

^* Corresponding author : dina.czajczynska@pwr.edu.pl

Abstract

Food waste generation is one of the most crucial problems of our constantly developing world. There are several common methods of its treatment, however each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Pyrolysis attracting attention in this field since a long time, because it allows to utilize this valuable resource with energy and material recovery. Moreover, the environmental impact of the process is relatively low. In this paper, products of low temperature household waste pyrolysis underwent a detailed chemical analysis. Liquid and solid residues was examined. Composition and concentration of particular compounds and elements indicates presence of long chain alkane, alkene and carboxylic acid molecules together with small amounts of aromatics within the bio-oil samples. The presence of heavy metals in residues was detected, too. Since the products are usually described as non-toxic, the idea of waste’ low-temperature thermal treating in household was analyzed. In general, examined residues from the process are safe for the environment, thus pyrolysis can be considered as a legitimate mechanism to treat kitchen waste combined with energy recovery for homes.