Pyrolysis recovery and product distribution of shrimp shell waste: Insights from thermogravimetric-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry characterization

Lingbo Meng, Shin Ying Foong, Peter Nai Yuh Yek, Rock Keey Liew, Abdulnasser M Karami, Meenakshi Verma, Nyuk Ling Ma, Christian Sonne, John Chi-Wei Lan and Su Shiung Lam

Energy & Environment, 2025, vol. 36, issue 6, 2951-2965

Abstract: Shrimp consumption is increasing owing to its rich nutrition and delicious taste. As a result, the generation of shrimp shell waste is also increasing, while the current disposal method such as landfilling causes pollution and produces harmful leachate to living organisms and the environment. Therefore, a proper management strategy is needed to dispose of shrimp shell waste to mitigate the adverse effects caused to the environment. This study presents an in-depth approach to reveal the properties of shrimp shell waste and explore its potential for use in various applications. The shrimp shell waste was subjected to pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and thermogravimetric-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy pyrolysis to evaluate the gas composition from pyrolysis. Thermogravimetric-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis reveals that when the optimal temperature for pyrolysis is 400 °C–600 °C, the predominant functional group of gases produced are –CH, –OH, and –NH. On the other hand, the results of pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry indicate that hydrocarbon (51.86%) is the main product of shrimp shell waste pyrolysis at 900 °C, which can be used in paints, paint thinners, rubber, printing inks, adhesives (glue). Although it has a calorific value of 15.113 MJ/kg, it cannot be directly burned because of its high nitrogen concentration (10.85 wt.%) which may generate harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides. Overall, pyrolysis is recommended as a viable method for converting shrimp shell waste into versatile products.

Keywords: Crustacean waste; thermochemical conversion; aquaculture waste; value-added chemicals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:engenv:v:36:y:2025:i:6:p:2951-2965

DOI: 10.1177/0958305X231215317

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