Masks Thermal Degradation as an Alternative of Waste Valorization on the
COVID-19 Pandemic: A Kinetic Study
Abstract
Kinetic modeling of thermal degradation process by pyrolysis as an
alternative for energy recovery of used masks generated by the COVID-19
pandemic. The masks were isolated for 72 h for virus inactivation and
characterized by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and higher
heating value. Thermal degradation was performed by thermogravimetric
analysis at different heating rates on an inert atmosphere. The gases
produced were characterized by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
The kinetic model was developed based on weight loss and calculated
activation energies, reaction orders, pre-exponential factors, and
thermodynamic parameters. The best fit models were established between
the experimental and calculated data. Composition of the mask samples
were polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon 6, and Spandex,
with higher calorific values than traditional fuels. The kinetic and
thermodynamic parameters of the pyrolysis processes demonstrated the
feasibility and high potential of recovery of these residues with
conversions higher than 89.26 %.