Characteristics of Plastic Waste Processing in the Modern Recycling Plant Operating in Poland

Abstract

Although Poland is one of the leading recipients of the waste stream in the European Union (EU), it is at the same time below the average in terms of efficiency of their use/utilization. The adopted technological solutions cause waste processing rates to be relatively low in Poland. As a result, the report of the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) of the EU indicated Poland as one of the 14 countries of the EU which are at risk in terms of possibility of achieving 50% recycling of waste. This article discusses the implemented technological solutions, and shows the profitability of the investment and the values of the process heat demand both for extractor and reactor. The experimental part analyzed the composition of the input and output of the process and compared it to the required fuel specifications. Attention was drawn to the need to improve the recycling process in order to increase the quality of manufactured fuel components. As potential ways of solving the problem of low fuel quality, cleaning the sorted reaction mass from solid particles and extending the technological line with a distillation column have been proposed. The recommended direction of improvement of the technology is also the optimization of the process of the reactor’s purification and removal of contaminants.

Drivers and Barriers for a Circular Economy (CE) Implementation in Poland—A Case Study of Raw Materials Recovery Sector

“…The sector also has an impact on the environment and society [70]. The use of secondary raw materials is associated with the reduction of energy consumption in technological processes in many industries [71], especially if they are also able to use renewable energy sources in the recovery processes [72]. Moreover, the use of waste materials affects the minimization or elimination of landfill waste [73], which can protect against leachate generation and contamination of groundwater.…”

Closing of Carbon Cycle by Waste Gasification for Circular Economy Implementation in Poland

“…Over the past few years, basic and industrial research and development work has been intensified, targeting the possibilities of shifting various industrial sectors from a linear economy to a circular economy [2]. This is shown by the large number of publications in scientific journals that present the results of basic and developmental research [3][4][5][6][7], environmental [8,9], macroeconomic [10,11], social [12][13][14], and political analyses [15][16][17][18][19].…”

“…Calculation based on NETL data[46] 2. Euro exchange rate assumed 4.50 PLN 3. For the calculation of investment expenditures, it was assumed that buildings account for 7% of total investment expenditures 4.…”

“…Emission created by electricity produced/used by the system. Emission of external production of electricity was set to 740 kg/MWh 3. Emission including the CO 2 emissions from the external electricity demand for water electrolysis.…”

Value-Added Pyrolysis of Waste Sourced High Molecular Weight Hydrocarbon Mixtures

“…Chemical recycling as a part of the circular economy plays an important role in current and future plastic strategies in the EU. During chemical recycling, products which are usually obtained by conventional crude oil refining and/or petrochemical processes, can be formed; therefore it can assist in reducing emissions, and the dependence on fossil fuels [25]. In many cases, it can be more advantageous than other methods such as mechanical recycling, where deterioration of performance properties of products can easily occur [26].…”