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The myth of hazardous-to-wealth concept: transformation of marine microplastics to pyrolysis gas
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Researchers collected marine microplastics from a Southeast Asian coastal area and tested whether pyrolysis could convert them into useful syngas, achieving an average syngas yield of about 35% and producing a highly porous char. The study demonstrates a potential waste-to-energy pathway that could both reduce the environmental load of marine microplastics and generate valuable gaseous fuel products. Converting microplastic waste into energy resources could provide an economic incentive for collection and remediation efforts.
Microplastics, identified as an emerging environmental pollutant in marine ecosystems, necessitate immediate and comprehensive attention from organizations across various levels. The microsize of these plastic particles poses a significant threat to the environment as they effortlessly disperse throughout the biosphere via ocean waves. This study focuses on investigating the physicochemical properties of microplastic waste in a specific Southeast Asian regional area and evaluating its potential conversion into gaseous products through the pyrolysis process. Remarkably, the pyrolysis of microplastics resulted in an average syngas yield of 34.79%, demonstrating the viability of microplastic valorization. Furthermore, the pyro-solid-char produced exhibits a highly porous structure with minimal amounts of metal oxides, suggesting its potential utilization as fertilizer or catalyst.
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This review examines how plastic waste could be converted to energy through gasification, potentially reducing the amount of plastic entering waterways as microplastics. Converting plastic waste to gas or fuel is presented as one strategy for managing the large global plastic waste burden.
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Despite its title referencing polypropylene co-pyrolysis, this paper studies the thermal breakdown of polypropylene plastic waste combined with biodiesel industry byproducts to produce renewable hydrocarbon fuels — not microplastic pollution. It examines chemical product yields from waste-to-fuel conversion, and is not relevant to microplastics or human health.
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Researchers explored converting plastic marine litter collected from the Venice Lagoon directly into marine fuels through thermochemical processing without presorting. The study found this approach technically feasible but highlights significant challenges around yield, quality, and environmental impact that must be addressed before scaling up.
Thermogravimetric analysis and kinetic study of marine plastic litter
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This study characterized the composition and thermal degradation behavior of collected marine plastic debris, exploring pyrolysis as a method for recovering energy from plastic waste that cannot be recycled. Managing the large volumes of plastic debris in the ocean requires both prevention and end-of-life treatment solutions.
Harvesting marine plastic pollutants-derived renewable energy: A comprehensive review on applied energy and sustainable approach.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.