Pollutant emissions during the pyrolysis and combustion of flexible polyurethane foam.
Thermal decomposition of flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) was studied under nitrogen and air atmospheres at 550degC and 850degC using a laboratory scale reactor to analyse the evolved products. Ammonia, hydrogen cyanide and nitrile compounds were obtained in high yields in pyrolysis at the lower temperature, whereas at 850degC polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other semivolatile compounds, especially compounds containing nitrogen (benzonitrile, aniline, quinolone and indene) were the most abundant products. Different behaviour was observed in the evolution of polychlorodibenzo p dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) at 550degC and 850degC. At 550degC, the less chlorinated congeners, mainly PCDF, were more abundant. Contrarily, at 850degC the most chlorinated PCDD were dominant. In addition, the total yields of PCDD/Fs in the pyrolysis and combustion runs at 850degC were low and quite similar.
Waste management