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Experimental Evaluation of Electrical Power Generation from Coastal Plastic Waste via Catalytic Pyrolysis under Variable Thermal Conditions
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Scientists found a way to turn plastic waste collected from coastlines into electricity by heating it at high temperatures (a process called pyrolysis) with a special mineral catalyst that helps break down the plastic more efficiently. Certain common plastics (like those used in bottle caps and plastic bags) worked best at 650°C, producing the most usable energy. This matters because it offers a practical way to deal with plastic pollution piling up on beaches — instead of that plastic breaking down into microplastics that can enter our food and water supply, it could be converted into useful power.
The growing accumulation of coastal plastic waste presents both environmental challenges and opportunities for energy recovery. This study experimentally investigates electrical power generation from coastal plastic waste via catalytic pyrolysis under variable thermal conditions. Experiments were conducted using shredded plastic feedstock (particle size 2–5 mm, sample mass 1 kg per run) under a nitrogen atmosphere with a controlled heating rate of 10 °C/min. A natural zeolite catalyst was employed to enhance thermal cracking and improve the quality of pyrolysis gas. Each experimental condition was performed in triplicate (n = 3), and results are reported as mean ± standard deviation to account for variability and uncertainty. The produced pyrolysis gas was combusted in a boiler–steam turbine–generator system, and electrical power output was calculated based on measured steam parameters and generator performance rather than estimated volumetric flow rates. The results show that operating temperature significantly influences power output, with polyolefin plastics (PP and LDPE) yielding the highest electrical power and efficiency at 650°C. The presence of the zeolite catalyst improved gas calorific value and overall system performance by promoting secondary cracking reactions. These findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of catalytic pyrolysis as a waste-to-energy pathway and provide experimentally validated insights into power performance from heterogeneous coastal plastic waste.
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