Combustion of Polycarbonate and Polycarbonate–Carbon Nanotube Composites Using Fluidized Bed Technology

Lakhdar Sidi Salah, Gabriela Berkowicz-Płatek, Witold Żukowski (), Yann Danlée, Isabelle Huynen, Kinga Wencel, Jan Wrona and Dawid Taler
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Lakhdar Sidi Salah: Laboratory of Coatings, Materials and Environment, M’Hamed Bougara University, Boumerdes 35000, Algeria
Gabriela Berkowicz-Płatek: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Witold Żukowski: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Yann Danlée: ICTEAM Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Isabelle Huynen: ICTEAM Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Kinga Wencel: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Jan Wrona: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Dawid Taler: Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: This study investigates the combustion behavior of polycarbonate (PC) and polycarbonate–carbon nanotube (PC-CNT) composites in fluidized bed reactors. The primary objective was to evaluate the influence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the thermal stability and combustion efficiency of PC. Simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analyses were conducted under both air and oxygen-deficient conditions to assess decomposition temperature ranges and energetic effects. Additionally, a simultaneous TG-DSC analysis of the samples’ decomposition in a 2 vol.% O 2 atmosphere was carried out to simulate adverse combustion conditions that may occur in some combustion technologies, such as the accumulation of degraded material on the grate. Combustion experiments were performed in inert and catalytic fluidized beds, the latter incorporating Fe 2 O 3 -coated cenospheres to enhance catalytic activity. The results demonstrated that the presence of CNTs alters the combustion mechanism, reducing energy release in the initial degradation stage while significantly intensifying exothermic effects in subsequent stages. Under oxygen-deficient conditions, both PC and PC-CNT required higher temperatures and extended times for complete decomposition. The catalytic fluidized bed markedly improved combustion efficiency at lower temperatures, achieving up to 90% conversion at 550 °C, compared to inert beds that required 750 °C for similar efficiency.

Keywords: polycarbonate; carbon nanotubes; combustion; fluidized bed (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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