Pyrolytic and kinetic characteristics of waste glass substrate from liquid crystal display panels

The pyrolysis of waste glass substrate from liquid crystal display (LCD) was first investigated with the intention of treating hazardous LCD waste and recovering valuable resources. In order to obtain the information of thermal behavior, a thermogravimetric (TG) and TG kinetic analysis of waste glass substrate was performed. According to the TG results, the pyrolysis experiments were carried out in the temperature range of 350–550 °C in a fixed bed reactor and the highest yield of liquid product was obtained at the final pyrolysis temperature of 450 °C. The compositions and characteristics of gaseous and liquid products were analyzed using GC and GC–MS complemented with elemental analysis, water content, high heating values and simulated distillations. SEM and EDX were applied to analyze the solid product. The gaseous product was mainly comprised of H2, CO, CO2, CH4 and a small amount of C2 hydrocarbons (C2H6 and C2H2) which can be used as valuable fuel. The composition of liquid product was categorized into acids, esters, alcohols, ketones, aromatics, sugars and siloxanes with acids occupying the most proportion. The characteristic analysis indicated that the liquid product was high oxygen content and needed to be upgraded such as hydrotreating process before using as industrial feedstock or fuel source.

► The pyrolysis of waste LCD glass substrate was first investigated in fixed bed reactor.
► The thermal behavior and kinetics of waste glass substrate were comprehensively studied.
► The characteristic study indicated the gaseous product was a valuable fuel.
► The physicochemical analysis showed pyrolysis oil had potential to be valuable material.