Optimizing waste polyester-cotton fabric incineration: a study on combustion performance and emission control

Purpose This study addresses the critical environmental challenge posed by the incineration of waste textiles, a process known to emit significant quantities of greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants. The research aims to provide valuable insights for optimizing waste textile combustion conditions, with the potential to reduce the environmental impact of incineration by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric pollutant production. Design/methodology/approach Employing a sophisticated cone calorimeter, the co-incineration behavior of polyester-cotton mixed fabrics (PCMFs) across varying ratios was analyzed. Novel indicators were introduced to scrutinize the smoke emission and carbon release characteristics of the PCMFs during co-incineration. Findings The results indicated that fabrics with higher polyester content ignited faster and achieved higher peak heat release rates. Notably, the PCMFs with lower polyester levels displayed multiple combustion peaks due to the interaction between the polyester’s lower melting point and the cotton fibers “scaffold effect”. The total heat release (THR) of PCMFs initially increased and then decreased with rising polyester content, peaking at approximately 65% polyester. The THR also escalated with higher thermal irradiance, while the differences among various PCMFs were minimal. A higher polyester content resulted in a more substantial and rapid carbon release, and increased thermal irradiance intensified the carbon release. Originality/value A co-incineration method of PCMFs with a 10% gradient was proposed. New indicators were introduced to analyze pollutant emission of PCMFs. Carbon release intensity was affected by thermal irradiation, combustion time and ratio. Some advice was given to reduce environmental pollution caused by waste textile incineration.