RF-ICP Thermal Plasma for Thermoplastic Waste Pyrolysis Process with High Conversion Yield and Tar Elimination

Abstract

This paper demonstrates an RF thermal plasma pyrolysis reaction apparatus that achieves 89 wt.% reaction conversion yield with no tar content. The demonstrated experimental apparatus consists of a 1100 W RFVII Inc. (104 Church St, Newfield, NJ 08344, United States) @ 13.56 MHz RF thermal plasma generator, a Navio matching network, intelligent feedback controller, and an 8-turn copper RF-ICP torch embedded in a 12 L thermochemical reactor. The intelligent feedback controller optimizes the thermal performance based on feedback signals from three online gas analyzers: CO, CO2 and NOx. The feedback controller output signal controls the RF thermal plasma torch current that provides real-time temperature control. The proposed reaction system achieves precise temperature profiles for both pyrolysis and gasification as well as increases end-product yield and eliminates undesired products such as tar and char. The identified hydrocarbon liquid mixture is 90 wt.% gasoline and 10 wt.%. diesel. The 8-turn RF-ICP thermal plasma torch has an average heating rate of +35 °C/min and a maximum operating temperature of 2000 °C and is able to sustain stable flame for more than 30 min. The reaction operating parameters are (550–990 °C τ = 30 min for pyrolysis and (1300 °C τ = 1 sec) for the gasification process. The identified hydrocarbon liquid products are 90 wt.% of a n-butyl-benzene (C6H5C4H9) and oluene (C7H8) mixture with less than 10 wt.% decane diesel fuel (C10 H22). Comsol simulation is used to assess the RF-ICP thermal plasma torch’s thermal performance.

RETRACTED: Pyrolysis: An effective technique for degradation of COVID-19 medical wastes

“…The reactor can achieve a maximum yield of bio-oil or liquid fuel of around 90% and a very low amount of >10% char will be collected. A temperature of >700 °C will be suitable for bio-oil production and <1000 °C condenses more gases ( Aboughaly et al, 2020 ).…”

Reviewing Air Pollutants Generated during the Pyrolysis of Solid Waste for Biofuel and Biochar Production: Toward Cleaner Production Practices

“…Analytical feedback control plays a pivotal role in refining pyrolysis efficiency and curbing emissions. Aboughaly et al (2020) recently introduced a closed-loop control system tailored for pyrolysis reactors [225]. This intelligent feedback mechanism utilized realtime feedback signals from three online gas analyzers-CO, CO 2 , and NO x [225].…”

“…Aboughaly et al (2020) recently introduced a closed-loop control system tailored for pyrolysis reactors [225]. This intelligent feedback mechanism utilized realtime feedback signals from three online gas analyzers-CO, CO 2 , and NO x [225]. The controller's output signal governed the radio frequency thermal plasma torch current, ensuring immediate temperature regulation.…”

Medical Waste Treatment Technologies for Energy, Fuels, and Materials Production: A Review

“…The effectiveness of this expensive technique depends on the power of the instrumentation since the higher energy output, facilitates the temperature conversion. This method is appropriate for all forms of MW since no harmful products are released, the end volume is significantly reduced, and the heat energy that is produced can be recycled [132][133][134].…”