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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Polyurethane Foam Waste Upcycling into an Efficient and Low Pollutant Gasification Syngas
ClearHydrogen production from plastic waste: A comprehensive simulation and machine learning study
Researchers used computer simulations and machine learning to optimize hydrogen production from polystyrene and polypropylene plastic waste through gasification. They found that increasing the gasification temperature up to 900 degrees Celsius significantly boosted hydrogen output, while higher pressures reduced production. The study demonstrates that converting plastic waste into hydrogen fuel could be an efficient way to address both energy needs and plastic pollution.
Novel robust upcycling approach for the manufacture of value-added polymers based on mixed (poly)urethane scraps
This study developed a novel process for recycling mixed polyurethane scraps into new value-added polymers. Upcycling thermoset plastics that are currently unrecyclable could prevent these materials from fragmenting into microplastics in the environment.
Valorization of floral foam waste via pyrolysis optimization for enhanced phenols recovery
Researchers optimized pyrolysis conditions for floral foam waste — a phenol formaldehyde foam that generates toxic microplastics — to maximize phenol recovery, finding that floral foam waste had 55.1% higher carbon content than biomass fractions and yielded high calorific value, demonstrating valorization potential for this problematic waste stream.
Fuel cell and electrolyzer using plastic waste directly as fuel
Researchers demonstrated an electrochemical cell that converts solid plastic waste directly into electricity or hydrogen gas without incineration or gasification, using an acidic solution to dissolve polyurethane at 100–200 °C and oxidize it at a porous carbon anode.
Catalytic hydrocracking of synthetic polymers into grid-compatible gas streams
Catalytic hydrocracking of common synthetic polymers including polyethylene and polypropylene was shown to produce methane-rich gas streams compatible with natural gas grids, offering a route to convert mixed plastic waste into clean energy.
ReaxFF molecular dynamics studies on the impact of reaction conditions in polystyrene conversion through hydrothermal gasification
Researchers used computer simulations to model how hydrothermal gasification — a process that uses hot pressurized water — breaks down polystyrene microplastics into hydrogen-rich syngas, finding that temperature is the key control factor and that water plays a dual role in both aiding and hindering the reaction.
Upcycling of waste plastics: strategies, status-quo, and prospects
This review examines strategies for upcycling waste plastics into valuable products as an alternative to landfilling and incineration, which generate microplastics and carbon emissions respectively. Researchers survey chemical recycling methods including pyrolysis, gasification, and catalytic processes that can convert common plastics like PET, polyethylene, and polystyrene into fuels, chemicals, and new materials. The study highlights the urgent need for more effective recycling technologies to address the growing gap between plastic production and waste management capacity.
Valorization of the Isocyanate-Derived Fraction from Polyurethane Glycolysis by Synthesizing Polyureas and Polyamides
Researchers successfully recovered toluenediamine and diethylene glycol from the isocyanate-derived fraction of polyurethane glycolysis, then used these recovered materials to synthesize polyureas and polyamides, demonstrating a circular recycling approach for flexible foam waste.
Hydrogen and Methane Production from Styrofoam Waste Using an Atmospheric-pressure Microwave Plasma Reactor
Researchers used an atmospheric-pressure microwave plasma reactor to process polystyrene foam waste from oyster farming and successfully produced methane and hydrogen gases, offering a potential waste-to-energy conversion pathway for a material that poses fire, health, and marine debris risks.
Rescuing the Environment: Turning (Micro)plastics into Energy Through Gasification
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.
Insights into hydro thermal gasification process of microplastic polyethylene via reactive molecular dynamics simulations
Researchers used molecular dynamics simulations to study the hydrothermal gasification process of polyethylene microplastics. The study found that temperature and water content significantly affect carbon conversion efficiency and product distribution, providing insights that could help optimize this technology for converting microplastic waste into useful syngas.
Upcycling Polystyrene
This review surveys promising approaches for upcycling polystyrene waste, covering both mechanical and thermochemical recycling routes developed over the past five years. Researchers found that no single technology is fully effective on its own, but hybrid approaches combining multiple methods show the highest potential for creating a circular economy for polystyrene. The study also explores connections to emerging technologies including 3D printing, vertical farming, and green hydrogen production.
Mixed Plastic Waste Gasification in a Large Pilot-Scale Fluidized Bed Reactor Operated with Oxygen-Enriched Air and Steam
Researchers tested gasification of mixed plastic waste in a large pilot-scale reactor using oxygen-enriched air and steam to convert hard-to-recycle plastics into useful synthesis gas. They found that the process could effectively handle the heterogeneous mixtures that mechanical recycling typically cannot. The study presents chemical recycling through gasification as a viable strategy for reducing plastic waste that would otherwise contribute to environmental microplastic pollution.
Conversion of Polyolefin Waste Into Fuels and Other Valuable Products by Hydrothermal Processing
This research explored ways to convert plastic waste, including polyolefins like polyethylene and polypropylene, into usable fuels and other valuable products through hydrothermal processing. Finding efficient recycling pathways is critical given that only 9% of the 350 million tons of plastic waste generated annually is currently recycled.
Materials challenges and opportunities to address growing micro/nanoplastics pollution: a review of thermochemical upcycling
This review examined thermochemical upcycling technologies including pyrolysis, gasification, and liquefaction as approaches to valorize micro- and nanoplastic waste, assessing the material challenges and opportunities for converting environmental plastic pollution into useful fuels or chemical feedstocks.
Optimisation of Process Parameters to Maximise the Oil Yield from Pyrolysis of Mixed Waste Plastics
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.
Vacuum pyrolysis depolymerization of waste polystyrene foam into high-purity styrene using a spirit lamp flame for convenient chemical recycling
Researchers developed a simple method for recycling waste polystyrene foam by vacuum pyrolysis over a spirit lamp flame for just 20 minutes, producing styrene monomer at 98% purity without additional purification steps, enabling low-cost closed-loop chemical recycling.
Recovery of gaseous fuels through CO2-mediated pyrolysis of thermosetting polymer waste
This study examined CO2-assisted pyrolysis as a method to recover gaseous fuels from mixed plastic waste, testing how CO2 atmosphere affects product yields and composition. The approach offers a potential chemical recycling route that reduces reliance on fossil fuel feedstocks.
ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ НИЗЬКОТЕМПЕРАТУРНОГО КАТАЛІТИЧНОГО КРЕКІНГУ ПОЛІСТИРОЛУ ЗА АТМОСФЕРНОГО ТИСКУ
Researchers reviewed low-temperature catalytic cracking of polystyrene at atmospheric pressure as a chemical recycling strategy, emphasizing how it avoids toxic emissions and produces liquid oils and fuel additives. The approach is presented as more energy-efficient than mechanical or thermal recycling methods.
Direct numerical simulations of polypropylene gasification in supercritical water
This paper is not about microplastics; it uses computational fluid dynamics simulations to study the gasification of polypropylene plastic waste in supercritical water as a potential waste-treatment technology.
Thermal oxo-degradation of plastic wastes to valuable compounds
Researchers advanced thermal oxo-degradation as an alternative to conventional pyrolysis for plastic waste upcycling, demonstrating that introducing air into the thermal reaction accelerates depolymerization of high-density polyethylene and polypropylene while maintaining energy-dense condensable product yields.
The myth of hazardous-to-wealth concept: transformation of marine microplastics to pyrolysis gas
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.
Enhancing sustainable waste management: Hydrothermal carbonization of polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene plastics for energy recovery
Researchers applied hydrothermal carbonization to PET and polystyrene plastics and found PET produces higher-energy hydrochar with better energy densification (1.37 vs. 1.13) than polystyrene, identifying key structural transformations that determine each material's potential for energy recovery from plastic waste.
Reimagining plastics waste as energy solutions: challenges and opportunities
This review examines the potential of converting plastic waste into energy through waste-to-energy and waste-to-fuel technologies, particularly in developing nations where recycling infrastructure is limited. Researchers assessed various conversion methods including pyrolysis and gasification, evaluating their efficiency and environmental trade-offs. The study emphasizes that energy recovery from plastic waste could help address both the growing plastic pollution crisis and energy needs in underserved regions.