TG-MS study of the thermo-oxidative behavior of plastic automobile shredder residues

► The pyrolysis reuses automobile shredder residues (ASR) is a significant option for energy generation. ► Gas release behavior using TG-MS apparatus was analyzed under different N2/O2 volume ratios. ► The generating contents of hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide vary with different N2/O2 volume ratios. ► NH3 is the dominant nitrogen species released during ASR pyrolysis. ► N2O is highly temperature sensitive, and will decompose into N2 at the temperature higher than 900 °C.