Optimization of an Appropriate Technology Based Process for Converting Waste Plastic in to Liquid Fuel via Thermal Decomposition

DeNeve, Daniel; Joshi, Chandni; Samdani, Abhishek; Higgins, John C.; Seay, Jeffrey

doi:10.5539/jsd.v10n2p116

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Fuel oil was produced from LDPE, HDPE, PP, and PS plastic samples via slow pyrolysis at 450 C in a lab-scale apparatus using the methodology described by DeNeve et al [21]. An image of the four fuel oil samples studied along with the starting material is shown in Figure 2.…”

Section: Waste Plastic Pyrolysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This reduction is due to the analysis of a locally managed decentralized circular economy for plastic waste management in developing countries. Because the plastic is collected, separated and processed to fuel directly near or at dumpsites, along with at locations of waste plastic generation via appropriate technology solutions [21,22], the transportation of the raw feedstock to centralized recycling facilities or refineries is removed, resulting in significant decreases in CO 2 emissions for generation of fuel oil. This is opposite of crude petrodiesel, which is often transported long distances on ships and trucks, resulting in large contribution to the total supply chain emissions of WTT.…”

Section: T Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Plastic can be converted to fuel oil in rural and urban regions via the method of thermal decomposition, or pyrolysis. Waste plastic polymers, particularly low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) can be converted into fuel oil through this process [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. An example of such a simple technology has been developed by the University of Kentucky Appropriate Technology and Sustainability (UKATS) research for thermal decomposition of waste plastic in rural regions, known as the UKATS Processor, which is nonautomated, low-cost and easily deployable, encouraging waste plastic management in small-scale solutions around the world [21,22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Total generation and combustion emissions of plastic derived fuels: A trash to tank approach

Joshi

Seay

2019

Env Prog and Sustain Energy

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Trash to Tank (3T) is a concept based on the conversion of waste plastic trash into a liquid fuel, suitable for use in any diesel or kerosene fuel application. This contribution compares total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from generation and combustion of petroleum derived diesel fuel with plastic derived fuel oil. Generation emissions for diesel are obtained from literature values for well‐to‐tank (WTT) CO2 emissions, while 3T CO2 emissions for plastic are calculated based on a locally managed decentralized circular economy for waste plastic management. Specifically, this analysis applies a novel approach based on local, small‐scale decomposition of waste plastic to fuel in an appropriate technology setting, with consumption of the fuel locally in rural, developing communities to completely remove waste plastic from accumulating in the global ecosystem. Results from 3T CO2 emissions for both the generation and uses of the fuel oil are reported based on a combination of literature review, laboratory experiments and theoretical calculations. Four plastic derived fuels––low‐density polyethylene, high‐density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene––were individually compared with petroleum derived diesel fuel to depict a positive reduction in total CO2 emissions. Hence, this contribution will demonstrate that the 3T approach is a sustainable solution to waste plastic management in developing regions, where mismanaged waste plastic is an ongoing environmental and social challenge. Potential benefits to the global environment, particularly in developing regions, from the use of plastic derived fuels as replacement for petroleum based is additionally discussed in this study. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog

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Section: Waste Plastic Pyrolysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: T Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Total generation and combustion emissions of plastic derived fuels: A trash to tank approach

Joshi

Seay

2019

Env Prog and Sustain Energy

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“…This strategy is thermal decomposition of waste plastic to fuel oil at temperatures of 400 C-450 C [34,35]. High-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene plastics [7,8,[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] can be easily converted to fuel similar in composition to diesel and kerosene by individual entrepreneurs utilizing appropriate technology (AT), providing a potential path to a locally managed decentralized circular economy. AT is simple nonautomated technology requiring little to no electricity, designed for a specific region to meet specific challenges according to available resources [34].…”

Section: A Perspective On a Locally Managed Decentralized Circular Ecmentioning

confidence: 99%

A perspective on a locally managed decentralized circular economy for waste plastic in developing countries

Joshi

Seay

Banadda

2018

Env Prog and Sustain Energy

Self Cite

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Unsound post‐consumer disposal is the primary pathway of plastic into the ecosystem. One way of addressing this problem is through the establishment of a circular economy for plastic. Much of the unsound disposal comes from economically disadvantaged regions where waste disposal and recycling infrastructure is limited. In economically disadvantaged regions however, the establishment of a circular economy for plastic must be locally managed and decentralized, meaning that the disposal, collection, remanufacture, and use must all occur within the same community. We suggest that waste plastic abatement strategies must be targeted to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic waste onsite at the local level, initiating a circular economy appropriate for infrastructure limited regions. Technologies for recycling plastic must be low cost, economically viable, socially acceptable, and not adversely impact the environment, and also produce a product that has a ready local market. This is critical because unless proposed solutions are also economically viable and socially appropriate, they are unlikely to be successful, especially in underdeveloped regions. Using big data analysis, a metric for identifying countries that will have the most potential to benefit from a locally managed decentralized circular economy for plastic has been developed. The information obtained from this metric will help researchers and policy makers promote a locally managed decentralized circular economy of plastic for managing the accumulation of waste on land and its eventual migration into waterways. Additionally, we present a case study of a proposed locally managed decentralized waste plastic abatement strategy in the municipal solid waste infrastructure limited country of Uganda. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 3–11, 2019

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“…Previous researchers (Deneve, Joshi, Samdani, Higgins, & Seay, 2017) carried out a pyrolysis experiment using a batch reactor, which was designed and fabricated by the University of Kentucky Appropriate Technology and Sustainability (UKATS) team. This reactor was designed to be specifically used in underdeveloped countries such as Uganda (Joshi & Seay, 2016).…”

Section: Mass Balance On Plastic Wastes Generated In Ugandamentioning

confidence: 99%

Mass Balance of Plastic Waste Conversion to Fuel Oil- A case in Uganda

Owusu¹,

Banadda²,

Kiggundu³

2017

JSD

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The current rate of plastic usage and the manner in which they are being disposed of is unsustainable. This is because more resources such as crude oil are utilized for their production and on the other hand, more waste plastics are generated. Since these waste plastics are made from crude oil, there is a high chance that they can be turned back into diesel that can be used to power irrigation pumps, drive engines for transport and industrial purposes among other potential uses. This paper sought to evaluate the pyrolysis of waste plastics to fuel oil potential of Uganda. The estimated waste plastics generated in Uganda was quantified as 545 851 kg/day. In this study, mass balance estimation indicated that the initial feed of 545 851 kg of waste plastics yields 451 419 kg liquid fuel using an appropriate technology for pyrolysis. The production potential of the gaseous and char fractions was calculated to be 50 764 and 43 668 kg in a day, respectively. This estimated amount has the potential to power approximately 234 small portable threshers of 5-7 horsepower. A total of 365 000 tonnes of fresh paddy can be threshed using these threshers. The gaseous fraction also has the potential to be used as a source of fuel for cooking. This is particularly important for postharvest handling and food security in Uganda as well as development of waste to energy technologies such as pyrolysis.

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Optimization of an Appropriate Technology Based Process for Converting Waste Plastic in to Liquid Fuel via Thermal Decomposition

Cited by 16 publications

References 14 publications

Total generation and combustion emissions of plastic derived fuels: A trash to tank approach

Total generation and combustion emissions of plastic derived fuels: A trash to tank approach

A perspective on a locally managed decentralized circular economy for waste plastic in developing countries

Mass Balance of Plastic Waste Conversion to Fuel Oil- A case in Uganda

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