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Multiphysics CFD-DEM Modeling of Plastics and Biomass Co-Liquefaction in a Stirred High-Pressure Reactor with (PBM) Population Balance Particle Evolution
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Scientists used computer simulations to model how plastic waste (like water bottles and food packaging) can be broken down and combined with plant material under extreme heat and pressure to create biofuel, essentially recycling plastic trash into usable energy. This matters because it points to a potential future method for dealing with persistent plastic and microplastic waste by converting it into fuel instead of letting it pile up in landfills or break down into environmental pollutants. It's worth noting this is a simulation study, not a real-world test, so more research is needed before this becomes a practical solution.
Hydrothermal co-liquefaction (co-HTL) of biomass and plastic waste represents a promising pathway for sustainable biocrude production and plastic waste valorization. In this study, a coupled CFD–DEM–PBM framework was developed to investigate the co-liquefaction of Miscanthus giganteus with polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) in a 1 L Rushton turbine reactor operated at 400 °C, 200 bar, 60 min and 140 rpm. The model integrates Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Population Balance Modeling (PBM) to predict hydrodynamics, particle agglomeration and biocrude droplet population evolution. The simulations revealed significant spatial variations in temperature, particle concentration and biocrude distribution. The highest biocrude droplet populations were observed for PET, reaching 6.2 × 105 # m−3, compared with 4.9 × 105 # m−3 for PS and 3.2 × 105 # m−3 for PP. PBM analysis predicted characteristic agglomerate sizes of approximately 310 μm, 180 μm and 90 μm for PET, PS and PP, respectively. The agglomeration intensity and droplet population evolution followed the order PET > PS > PP, highlighting the strong influence of polymer type on particle interactions and liquid product formation. The developed CFD–DEM–PBM model provides detailed insight into hydrodynamics, agglomeration kinetics and biocrude evolution, supporting reactor optimization and future scale-up of HTL technologies. Furthermore, hydrothermal co-liquefaction offers a promising route for converting persistent microplastic residues into valuable renewable fuel precursors.
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Analisis Konversi Limbah Plastik Menjadi Bahan Bakar Alternatif Ramah Lingkungan Pendekatan Pirolisis Skala Kecil
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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.
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Scientists developed a special material that uses light to break down PET plastic (the kind used in water bottles) into clean hydrogen fuel and useful chemicals, essentially turning plastic trash into energy. This matters because less plastic waste sitting in landfills or oceans means less of it breaking down into microplastics that end up in our water, food, and bodies, while also offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. The technology worked even on an actual plastic bottle, suggesting this approach could eventually help tackle plastic pollution in the real world, not just in a lab.
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