Analysis of Fuel Alternative Products Obtained by the Pyrolysis of Diverse Types of Plastic Materials Isolated from a Dumpsite Origin in Pakistan

Nuzhat Javed; Sana Muhammad; Shazia Iram; Muhammad Wajahat Ramay; Shaan Bibi Jaffri; Mariem Damak; György Fekete; Zsolt Varga; András Székács; László Aleksza

doi:10.3390/polym15010024

journal article Open Access Dec 21, 2022

Analysis of Fuel Alternative Products Obtained by the Pyrolysis of Diverse Types of Plastic Materials Isolated from a Dumpsite Origin in Pakistan

Nuzhat Javed Sana Muhammad Shazia Iram Muhammad Wajahat Ramay

Shaan Bibi Jaffri Mariem Damak

György Fekete Zsolt Varga András Székács

László Aleksza

Polymers Vol. 15 No. 1 pp. 24 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/polym15010024

Abstract

The current energy crisis and waste management problems have compelled people to find alternatives to conventional non-renewable fuels and utilize waste to recover energy. Pyrolysis of plastics, which make up a considerable portion of municipal and industrial waste, has emerged as a feasible resolution to both satisfy our energy needs and mitigate the issue of plastic waste. This study was therefore conducted to find a solution for plastic waste management problems, as well as to find an alternative to mitigate the current energy crisis. Pyrolysis of five of the most commonly used plastics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high- and low-density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), was executed in a pyrolytic reactor designed utilizing a cylindrical shaped stainless steel container with pressure and temperature gauges and a condenser to cool down the hydrocarbons produced. The liquid products collected were highly flammable and their chemical properties revealed them as fuel alternatives. Among them, the highest yield of fuel conversion (82%) was observed for HDPE followed by PP, PS, LDPE, PS, and PET (61.8%, 58.0%, 50.0%, and 11.0%, respectively). The calorific values of the products, 46.2, 46.2, 45.9, 42.8 and 42.4 MJ/kg for LPDE, PP, HPDE, PS, and PET, respectively, were comparable to those of diesel and gasoline. Spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis proved the presence of alkanes and alkenes with carbon number ranges of C9–C15, C9–C24, C10–C21, C10–C28, and C9–C17 for PP, PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PS, respectively. If implemented, the study will prove to be beneficial and contribute to mitigating the major energy and environmental issues of developing countries, as well as enhance entrepreneurship opportunities by replicating the process at small-scale and industrial levels.

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Details

Published: Dec 21, 2022
Vol/Issue: 15(1)
Pages: 24
License: View

Authors

N

Nuzhat Javed

Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, The Mall, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan

S

Sana Muhammad

Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, The Mall, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan

S

Shazia Iram

Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, The Mall, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan

M

Muhammad Wajahat Ramay

Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, The Mall, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan; Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly u. 1, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary

S

Shaan Bibi Jaffri

Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, The Mall, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan

M

Mariem Damak

Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly u. 1, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary

G

György Fekete

Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly u. 1, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary

Z

Zsolt Varga

Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly u. 1, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary

A

András Székács

Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly u. 1, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary

L

László Aleksza

Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly u. 1, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; Profikomp Environmental Technologies Inc., Kühne Ede u. 7, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary

Funding

Hungarian National Research, Development, and Innovation Office Award: TKP2021-NVA-22

Hungarian Ministry of Technology and Industry Award: TKP2021-NVA-22

Cite This Article

Nuzhat Javed, Sana Muhammad, Shazia Iram, et al. (2022). Analysis of Fuel Alternative Products Obtained by the Pyrolysis of Diverse Types of Plastic Materials Isolated from a Dumpsite Origin in Pakistan. Polymers, 15(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15010024

Analysis of Fuel Alternative Products Obtained by the Pyrolysis of Diverse Types of Plastic Materials Isolated from a Dumpsite Origin in Pakistan

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