EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON NON-BIODEGRADABLE WASTES AS BIO-FUEL – PLASTIC PYROLYSIS OIL

Abstract

Waste plastic disposal and excessive use of fossil fuels have caused environment concerns in the world.
Both plastics and petroleum derived fuels are hydrocarbons that contain the elements of carbon and hydrogen.
The difference between them is that plastic molecules have longer carbon chains than those in LPG, petrol, and
diesel fuels. Therefore, it is possible to convert waste plastic into fuels. The main objectives of this project were to
analyze and extract the processes of plastic pyrolysis for maximizing the diesel range products. Pyrolysis of
polyethylene (PE), has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally in a lab-scale pyrolysis reactor.
The key factors have been investigated and identified. The cracking temperature for PE in the pyrolysis is at 450
ºC. High reaction temperature and heating rate can significantly promote the production of light hydrocarbons.
Long residence time also favors the yield of the light hydrocarbon products. The effects of other factors like type
of reactor, catalyst have also been investigated. The properties and characteristics of plastic pyrolysis oil and
diesel has been analysed and compared.