Disposal of bamboo-based plastic substitute waste: A case study on co-pyrolysis and co-combustion of bamboo and polylactic acid

This study comprehensively evaluated the pyrolytic behavior, combustion behavior, and char characteristics of bamboo and polylactic acid blends (BPs), and compared the combustion characteristics of the char with those of BPs. The pyrolysis of BPs primarily released compounds containing C=O bonds, oxygenated compounds, CO2, CO, alkyls, and H2O. A synergistic effect was observed when PLA was the dominant component in BPs, and the co-pyrolysis process contributed to an increase in the yield of char (BPC). Additionally, the yield, fixed carbon, ash, higher heating value (HHV), fuel ratio, and energy yield of BPCs decreased with increasing PLA content. The BPCs produced at 600 °C exhibited the highest HHV (32.5–33.7 MJ/kg) and energy density (1.71–1.74). Although the direct combustion of BPs showed synergistic effects, the release of large amounts of oxygenated compounds posed environmental challenges. In contrast, BPCs had better fuel characteristics and emitted only CO2 during combustion. This study confirmed the potential of BPs as a high-quality biofuel feedstock and provided a promising solution for the waste management of bamboo-based plastic substitute waste.