We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Exploring the environmental suitability of plastic pyrochar as a potential landfill liner material
AI summary Read the abstract
Plastic pyrochar derived from waste polyethylene and polypropylene via pyrolysis met several geotechnical standards for use as a landfill liner material, with leaching tests showing no significant toxic metal release and improved performance when blended with bentonite. Repurposing plastic waste into functional engineering materials reduces the mass of plastic available to fragment into environmental microplastics over time.
Plastic pyrochar possessing a porous structure with excellent adsorption, water retention and binding capacity makes it a potential material for landfill liner. Studies related to exploring its use and environmental impacts in any engineering application are very few. This paper analyses its suitability as a liner material by determining engineering properties and environmental implications. The plastic pyrochar used in this study was the char obtained during the pyrolysis process of plastic wastes such as cross-linked polyethene (XLPE) and polypropylene (PP). It was characterised by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses. The environmental assessments done by conducting leaching tests using distilled water, hexane and methanol-water mixture showed no significant quantity of toxic metals or compounds eluting from it. Geotechnical properties, viz. Atterberg limits, fine contents and hydraulic conductivity of plastic pyrochar were determined. Liquid limit and plasticity index values of 50% and 15% respectively, met the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards. It was found that plastic pyrochar is conducive as a liner material except for hydraulic conductivity. Mixing with finer soils like bentonite brought the hydraulic conductivity value within the stipulated range. Furthermore, it was shown that the process of washing of pyrochar caused the reduction of total dissolved solids, conductivity, salinity, and chloride content considerably. Therefore, it is advisable to wash the plastic pyrochar before its use in any engineering applications. Utilization of plastic pyrochar as a liner material with bentonite is an effective and sustainable approach for plastic waste management.
More Papers Like This
Water retention and hydraulic properties of a natural soil subjected to microplastic contaminations and leachate exposures
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how microplastic contamination affects the water-holding and flow properties of compacted soil, a scenario relevant to engineering applications like landfill liners. They found that microplastics altered the soil's ability to retain water and changed both saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, with effects varying by particle size and leachate age. The study suggests that microplastic-contaminated soils may behave differently than expected in engineered structures.
Enhanced Biochar Production via Co‐Pyrolysis of Biomass Residual with Plastic Waste after Recycling Process
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that blending plastic waste with biomass during pyrolysis — particularly 20% polypropylene with wood — significantly improves biochar quality, increasing surface area, carbon content, and heavy metal sorption capacity while reducing environmental waste.
Effects of microplastic contamination on the hydraulic, water retention, and desiccation crack properties of a natural clay exposed to leachate
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how microplastic contamination affects the physical properties of natural clay soil exposed to landfill leachate. They found that microplastics significantly increased the soil's water permeability, reduced its water retention capacity, and altered desiccation cracking patterns. The findings suggest that microplastic pollution could compromise the integrity of clay barriers used in landfill liners and other engineering applications.
Characteristic Properties of Plastic Wastes: Possibility of Reinforcing Material for Soil
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper reviews the potential for using shredded plastic waste as a reinforcing material in soil for civil engineering applications. It notes the growing plastic waste problem and explores how construction reuse could reduce landfill volumes while improving soil strength properties.
Biochar Production From Plastic‐Contaminated Biomass
AI summary Read the abstract
Wood residues from biowaste digestate containing up to 10% plastic were pyrolyzed at 450°C and 600°C, with all resulting biochars falling below European Biochar Certificate limits for trace elements and organic contaminants. However, thermogravimetric analysis suggested plastic residues persisted at 450°C, indicating higher temperatures may be needed to fully eliminate plastics during co-pyrolysis.
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.