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Pyrolysis of Polypropylene and Nitrile PPE Waste: Insights into Oil Composition, Kinetics, and Steam Cracker Integration
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Researchers pyrolyzed mixtures of disposable surgical masks and nitrile gloves and found that peak condensable oil yields of 77% occur at 600°C, producing predominantly aliphatic hydrocarbons in the diesel range, though the oil requires pre-treatment to meet industrial steam cracker standards.
In this study, non-isothermal pyrolysis of a mixture of disposable surgical face masks (FMs) and nitrile gloves (NGs) was conducted, using a heating rate of 100 °C/min, N2 flowrate of 100 mL/min, and temperatures between 500 and 800 °C. Condensable product yield peaked at 600 °C (76.9 wt.%), with gas yields rising to 31.0 wt.%, at 800 °C. GC-MS of the condensable product confirmed the presence of aliphatic compounds (>90%), while hydrogen, methane, and ethylene dominated the gas composition. At 600 °C, gasoline (C4 to C12)-, diesel (C13 to C20)-, motor oil (C21 to C35)-, and heavy hydrocarbon (C35+)-range compounds accounted for 23.7, 46.7, 12.5, and 17.1%, of the condensable product, respectively. Using model-free methods, the average activation energy and pre-exponential factor were found to be 309.7 ± 2.4 kJ/mol and 2.5 ± 3.4 × 1025 s-1, respectively, while a 2-dimensional diffusion mechanism was determined. Scale-up runs confirmed high yields of condensable product (60-70%), with comparable composition to that obtained from lab-scale tests. The pyrolysis oil exceeds acceptable oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, and fluorine levels for industrial steam crackers-needing pre-treatment-while other contaminants like sulphur and metals could be managed through mild blending. In summary, this work offers a sustainable approach to address the environmental concerns surrounding disposable FMs and NGs.
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Syngas Production from Protective Face Masks through Pyrolysis/Steam Gasification
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This study explores converting discarded COVID-era face masks into syngas through steam gasification, offering a chemical recycling route for a massive new plastic waste stream. At 800 °C, both 3-ply surgical masks and KN95 respirators produced high yields of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The approach could help prevent mask plastics from entering the environment while recovering usable fuel gas.
Preparing Fuel-Range Chemicals via the Direct and Selective Pyrolysis of Disposable Mask Waste for Sustainable Environment
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Chemical pyrolysis of disposable facemask waste converts the polypropylene and polyamide components into high-value fuel-range chemicals including liquid hydrocarbon blends, aromatics, and C1-5 gas alkanes, offering a strategy to address mask-generated microplastic pollution while producing sustainable fuels.
A review on co-pyrolysis of agriculture biomass and disposable medical face mask waste for green fuel production: recent advances and thermo-kinetic models
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Researchers reviewed co-pyrolysis of agricultural biomass with disposable face mask waste as a route to improved bio-oil, finding that mask polypropylene raises fuel quality and yield, while advanced catalytic kinetic models are necessary to accurately describe the complex non-linear reaction mechanisms involved.
Catalytic co-pyrolysis of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and surgical face mask (SFM) wastes: Thermo-kinetic study, ANN model fitting, and synergistic effect
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Researchers studied the co-pyrolysis (simultaneous heat-breakdown) of oil palm waste and surgical face mask plastic to convert both into usable fuel, finding that a zeolite catalyst reduced the energy needed for the reaction by about 14%. This approach could help manage the surge of plastic PPE waste that would otherwise contribute to microplastic pollution in landfills and the environment.
COVİD-19 sebepli tıbbi atıkların termokimyasal karakterizasyonu ve çevresel değerlendirmesi
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Researchers investigated the pyrolysis, combustion, and ash characteristics of COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks, gowns, and nitrile gloves, finding synergistic effects during co-combustion that lowered peak temperatures for polypropylene-based materials and reduced slagging risk, providing practical guidance for thermochemical disposal of pandemic medical waste.
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