Conversion of plastic waste into high-value lubricants: techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment

Abstract

The conversion of plastic waste into high-quality lubricants is more profitable than sorting the waste or converting it into liquid fuels. A life cycle assessment showed that the emissions were lower than those of petroleum lubricants of similar quality.

Synthesis of platinum nanoparticles on strontium titanate nanocuboidsviasurface organometallic grafting for the catalytic hydrogenolysis of plastic waste

“…[18][19][20][21] Recent efforts to model a conceptual pilot plant for this process have shown that Pt/STO upcycling at a scale of 250 Mt day −1 could protably generate lubricant materials while reducing process emissions relative to current industrial methods. 22 These results incentivize further study of Pt/STO upcycling, part of which involves scale-up of Pt/STO catalyst synthesis to the kilogram and ton scales. STO nanocuboids have also previously been investigated as a model catalyst support, and as a bridge between templates for surface science studies and performance-oriented, high surface area supports, and the work developed here may also affect innovation of other M/STO catalyzed processes.…”

Catalytic hydroconversion processes for upcycling plastic waste to fuels and chemicals

“…44 These calculations demonstrated that this hydrogenolysis process is a promising plastic upcycling technology with reduced CO 2 emissions. 44…”

“…Pt- and Ru-based catalysts are predominantly used in the hydrogenolysis of polyolefins. 40–47 The supports used are usually non-acidic materials, such as carbon materials, 40,48–51 CeO 2 , 52–54 TiO 2 , 55,56 SrTiO 3 , 47 ZrO 2 (ref. 53) and so on.…”

“…45 In addition, techno-economic analysis (TEA) showed that the production cost is in the range of $1.8-5.94 per gal of lubricant by using a mixture of colored and natural HDPE, which is economically profitable compared with the market price for group III and PAO based oils within the range of $6-10 per gal. 44 Moreover, the life cycle assessment (LCA) indicated that emissions for plastic lubricants are in the range of 0.48-1.2 kg CO 2 kg Lub −1 with a 52% reduction relative to that for petroleum lubricants, and a 74% reduction relative to that for PAO lubricants. 44 These calculations demonstrated that this hydrogenolysis process is a promising plastic upcycling technology with reduced CO 2 emissions.…”

“…44 Moreover, the life cycle assessment (LCA) indicated that emissions for plastic lubricants are in the range of 0.48-1.2 kg CO 2 kg Lub −1 with a 52% reduction relative to that for petroleum lubricants, and a 74% reduction relative to that for PAO lubricants. 44 These calculations demonstrated that this hydrogenolysis process is a promising plastic upcycling technology with reduced CO 2 emissions. 44…”