Parametric study and global sensitivity analysis for co-pyrolysis of rape straw and waste tire via variance-based decomposition

•Co-pyrolysis of rape straw and waste tire were studied by TG-FTIR analysis.•H2O, CH, OH, CO2 and CO were the main products evolved during co-pyrolysis.•Best-fit data-driven models are developed for predicting mass loss/reaction heat.•Model uncertainty and interactive effect of input parameters were investigated.•Global sensitivity indices of operating factors were proposed via Sobol' method.

In present study, co-pyrolysis behavior of rape straw, waste tire and their various blends were investigated. TG-FTIR indicated that co-pyrolysis was characterized by a four-step reaction, and H2O, CH, OH, CO2 and CO groups were the main products evolved during the process. Additionally, using BBD-based experimental results, best-fit multiple regression models with high R2-pred values (94.10% for mass loss and 95.37% for reaction heat), which correlated explanatory variables with the responses, were presented. The derived models were analyzed by ANOVA at 95% confidence interval, F-test, lack-of-fit test and residues normal probability plots implied the models described well the experimental data. Finally, the model uncertainties as well as the interactive effect of these parameters were studied, the total-, first- and second-order sensitivity indices of operating factors were proposed using Sobol' variance decomposition. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time global parameter sensitivity analysis has been performed in (co-)pyrolysis literature.