We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Analisis Konversi Limbah Plastik Menjadi Bahan Bakar Alternatif Ramah Lingkungan Pendekatan Pirolisis Skala Kecil
Summary
Scientists found a way to turn plastic waste into liquid fuel by heating it to high temperatures (up to 500°C) without oxygen, a process called pyrolysis—think of it like "cooking" plastic until it turns into a flammable liquid. This matters because plastic pollution harms ecosystems and human health (contributing to the microplastics problem), and this small-scale method converted 40% of plastic waste into usable fuel, offering a promising way to reduce landfill plastic while creating energy. However, this was a small experimental study, so more research is needed before this could be used widely.
Plastic waste is a growing environmental problem due to the high use of plastic in everyday life and its inherent difficulty in decomposing naturally. The accumulation of plastic waste can lead to soil, water, and environmental pollution, negatively impacting human health and ecosystems. Furthermore, the ever-increasing demand for energy is leading to increased dependence on fossil fuels. Therefore, solutions are needed that can reduce plastic waste while simultaneously generating useful alternative energy sources. This study aims to analyze the process of converting plastic waste into alternative fuel through a small-scale pyrolysis method and to determine the effect of temperature and heating time on the volume of fuel produced. This study uses a quantitative approach with an experimental method. PE and PP plastic waste is cleaned, shredded, and then processed using a pyrolysis reactor at a temperature of 300–500°C without oxygen. The gas produced from pyrolysis is condensed into liquid fuel. Data are collected through observation, temperature measurement, heating time, fuel volume, and the resulting residue. The analysis technique used is descriptive analysis by calculating the yield ratio and the efficiency of the conversion process. The research results show that increasing the temperature and heating time increases the volume of fuel produced. The best results were obtained at a temperature of 500°C for 120 minutes, producing 200 mL of liquid fuel from 500 grams of plastic waste with an efficiency of 40%. The produced fuel is yellow to dark yellow in color, has a pungent odor, and is easily flammable. These findings indicate that small-scale pyrolysis technology has the potential to be an alternative solution in plastic waste management while also producing more environmentally friendly energy.