We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Optimisation of Process Parameters to Maximise the Oil Yield from Pyrolysis of Mixed Waste Plastics
Summary
Researchers optimized the process parameters for thermal pyrolysis of mixed waste plastics to maximize oil yield from HDPE, polypropylene, and polystyrene. The study used response surface methodology to identify ideal conditions for converting plastic waste into pyrolytic oil, supporting chemical recycling as a strategy to reduce plastic pollution.
The study sought to optimise process parameters of thermal pyrolysis of mixed waste plastic (MWP) to maximise pyrolytic oil yield. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were used as feedstocks for pyrolysis. Response surface methodology (RSM) and Box–Behnken design (BBD) were used to optimise the pyrolysis process. The optimisation was carried out by varying three independent variables, namely, reaction temperature (460–540 °C), residence time (30–150 min), and size of MWP feedstock (5–45 mm), to increase the liquid oil yield. A BBD matrix was used to generate the design of the experiments, and 15 experiments were conducted. The highest liquid oil yield of 75.14 wt% was obtained by optimising the operating parameters, which were a reaction temperature of 535.96 °C, a reaction time of 150 min, and a feedstock particle size of 23.99 mm. A model was developed to determine the relationships among the independent variables, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate their impact on maximising oil yield. ANOVA results showed that the temperature and residence time had the maximum impact on oil yield, followed by feedstock size. Physicochemical analysis of the properties of the plastic pyrolytic oil (PPO) revealed that the crude PPO obtained from the MWP had higher water (0.125 wt%) and sulfur content (5.12 mg/kg) and lower flash point (<20 °C) and cetane index (32), which makes it unsuitable for use as an automobile fuel. However, these issues can be resolved by upgrading the PPO using different posttreatment techniques, such as distillation and hydrotreatment.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Plastic regulates its co-pyrolysis process with biomass: Influencing factors, model calculations, and mechanisms
Researchers investigated co-pyrolysis of plastics and biomass, finding that varying the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of biomass feedstocks influences synergistic effects on bio-oil quality, offering a strategy to improve plastic waste valorization.
Modeling of pyrolysis reactions of polypropylene using a six-lump model and simulation of pyrolysis process using Aspen
Researchers developed a mathematical model for the pyrolysis of polypropylene — a major component of plastic waste — and simulated the industrial process using chemical engineering software. This modeling supports developing efficient systems to convert waste plastic into useful fuels and chemicals.
Process Optimization of Solvents Assisted Polyethylene Waste Recycling
Researchers optimized solvent-based chemical recycling of polyethylene plastic waste to recover high-quality recycled material. The study demonstrates that chemical recycling can be tuned to maximize yield and quality, offering a scalable alternative to mechanical recycling that degrades plastic properties over time.
The Present and the Future of Polyethylene Pyrolysis
This review examines the pyrolysis of polyethylene as a waste-to-energy strategy, discussing how key process parameters — temperature, catalyst type, and agitation — influence the yield and quality of liquid oils, fuel gases, and solid chars produced from non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastic waste.
Methodology for integrating lumped kinetic models and decision-making frameworks to enhance sustainability of plastic waste pyrolysis
Researchers developed a multi-scale methodology linking laboratory pyrolysis kinetics to high-level sustainability decision-making, demonstrating that using pyrolysis gas for heat supply maximizes circularity while selling LPG byproducts yields the highest profit, offering a replicable framework for evaluating plastic waste conversion options.