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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)

1.1 INTRODUCTION
It was in the 1950s that plastics began to come into wide use, yet within
few years, production has risen at an unparalleled rate. Plastic products have
become an indispensable part of our daily lives as many objects of daily use are
made from some kind of plastic. Plastic has many advantages over other materials
as it costs less, resists corrosion and is highly flexible and strong. While all these
properties make it the ideal material for making many substances. Because of the
advantages that plastic products offer, its use has increased plastic waste. Plastic
consumption has increased much more than the world average due to rapid
urbanization and economic development. Due to the increase in generation, waste
plastics are becoming a major stream in solid waste.
Plastic products cannot be decomposable, it cannot be biodegradable.
Plastic can be produced once, it stay on earth forever. The manufacturing of
plastic also consumes water and releases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
contributing to global warming. Plastic being light weight can be transported to
long distance easily by water or air. It is also responsible for the deaths of many
animals, fishes and birds.
On the other hand, another biggest problem is that we are facing increasing
prices of petroleum. Our India is one of the biggest consumers of fuel like petrol,
diesel and kerosene. India imported about 2/3rd of its petroleum requirements last
year which involved a cost of approximately Rs.80, 000 crores in foreign
exchange. Even 5% replacement of petroleum fuel by plastic fuel can help India,
to save Rs. 4000 crores per year. It is important that the option for substitution of
petroleum fuels be explored to control this rapidly growing import bill.
Todays age is generally known as plastic age. Our future is depended on
this plastic. Though it is too useful, improper management of this plastic waste is
subject of concern. There isnt any process for disposing the plastic waste. Hence,

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it is the needed that plastic products must be recycled and must not end in
landfills. Plastic recycling offers a viable solution to these problems.
Over the years, different waste management, treatment and disposal
methods have been adopted apart from the traditional options of landfill and
incineration. Emphasis is now shifting to technologies that will be acceptable to
the end users. One of such technologies is pyrolysis. Pyrolytic technology among
other methods is a way of harnessing the energy in these wastes, providing a good
method of disposing the wastes without affecting the ecological system. On the
other hand, it can provide an opportunity to collect and dispose of plastic waste in
the most environmental friendly way and it can be converted into a resource.
In its simplest form, this involves heating and decomposing mixed plastics
in the absence of oxygen. Unlike mechanical recycling techniques, in which the
long polymeric chains of the plastic are preserved intact, pyrolysis produces lower
molecular weight fragments. By adjusting operating conditions, the rate and
extent of decomposition can be controlled. In this way, it is possible to obtain a
predominantly liquid hydrocarbon product with potential for use as a fuel or a
refinery feedstock.
This approach can be applied to 80% of commodity plastics, so mixed
plastic wastes can usually be handled without the need for segregation by polymer
type. In most of the situations, plastic waste recycling could also be economically
viable, as it generates resources, which are in high demand. Plastic waste
recycling also has a great potential for resource conservation. If pyrolysis is
studied economical and efficiency point of view it is much better technique of
recycling mixed plastic waste.

OBJECTIVE
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Since the global energy crises of the 1970s, there has been a trend towards use of
alternative energy sources to replace fossil fuel worldwide. In this project we
trying to minimized the plastic waste by recycling. We get energy recovery from
it. Product obtained during this project may replace or use as alternative to any of
petroleum product. We compare the characteristics of the product with other
petroleum product. The results are shown in chapter 3.

2. Literature Review
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The literature review/survey is based on the references mentioned at last of this
project report.The market data ,plastic sources are based on paper(6).The material
properties mentioned in the report are based on the literature collected from
books(Brydson,Adab Chandra).Similarly the municipal waste generation data is
refered from paper(7).

2.1

WHAT IS WASTE?
Waste is generally termed as a material which is unwanted or unusable.

Or It may be also defined as substances which are disposed of or are intended to


be disposed of or are required to be disposed of. Or The material which are
discarded after used at the end of their intended life span.
Each household generates garbage or waste day in and day out. Items that
we no longer need or do not have any further use for fall in the category of waste,
and we tend to throw them away. Wastes may be generated during the extraction
of raw materials, the processing of raw materials into intermediate and final
products, the consumption of final products, and other human activities
Waste is directly linked to human development, both technologically and
socially. The compositions of different wastes have varied over time and location,
with industrial development and innovation being directly linked to waste
materials. Examples of this include plastics and nuclear technology. Some
components of waste have economical value and can be recycled once correctly
recovered.
Once a substance or object has become waste, it will remain waste until it
has been fully recovered and no longer poses a potential threat to the environment
or to human health.
Waste is sometimes a subjective concept, because items that some people
discard may have value to others.

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2.2 MARKET DATA


Market Data World Consumption of plastics:

Constant developments in polymer technology, processing machineries,


know-how and cost effective production is fast replacing conventional materials
in every segment with plastics. Continuous innovation explains that, the total
global production of plastics has grown from around 1.3 million tons (MT) in
1950 to 245 MT in 2006. Plastics continue to be a global success story with
Europe and Switzerland, producing about 25% of the total estimated worldwide
plastics production during 2006. Plastics consumption on a per capita basis has
now grown to over 100 kg/y in North America and Western Europe, with the
potential to grow to up to 130 kg/y per capita by 2010.
The highest consumption of plastics among different countries in USA is
27.3 MT and is expected to reach to 39 MT by 2010. In the developing parts of
Asia (excluding Japan), currently the per capita consumption is only around 20
kg/year. The average Indian consumption of virgin plastics per capita reached 3.2
kg in 2000/2001 (5 kg if recycled material is included) from a mere 0.8 kg in
1990/1991 and 1.8 kg in 1998/1999. However, this is only one fourth of the
consumption in China (12 kg/capita, 1998) and one sixth of the world average (18
kg/capita).

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Fig1. Comparison of per capita consumption of plastics over three different


periods.

India has a plastic consumption of 3.2 MT during 2000 and is expected to


reach nearly 12.5 MT by 2010. In India, the amount of plastic waste during
2000/2001 was 2.38 MT and is estimated to rise to more than 8 MT by 2010 and
20 MT by 2030.
Plastic waste generation in India:

This data is regarding to the Municipals Solid waste. The below data shows
the waste of plastic material before recycling. The pie chart of total MSW
generation exhibited 12.0% of plastic waste & it shows also other materials
wastes.

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Fig2.Plastic waste generation in India

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2.2

PLASTIC WASTE & SOURCES OF GENERATION


Plastic wastes can be classified as industrial and municipal plastic wastes

according to their origins; these groups have different qualities and properties and
are subjected to different management strategies. Plastic wastes represent a
considerable part of municipal wastes; furthermore huge amounts of plastic waste
arise as a by-product or faulty product in industry and agriculture.
Of the total plastic waste, over 78 wt% of this total corresponds to
thermoplastics and the remaining to thermosets. Thermoplastics are composed of
polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyvinyl
chloride and can be recycled. On the other hand thermosets mainly include epoxy
resins and polyurethanes and cannot be recycled.

MUNICIPAL PLASTIC WASTES


Municipal plastic wastes (MSW) normally remain a part of municipal solid
wastes as they are discarded and collected as household wastes. The various
sources of MSW plastics includes domestic items (food containers, packaging
foam, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, CD and cassette boxes. fridge liners,
vending cups, electronic equipment cases, drainage pipe, carbonated drinks
bottles, plumbing pipes and guttering, flooring. cushioning foams, thermal
insulation foams, surface coatings, etc.), agricultural (mulch films, feed bags,
fertilizer bags, and in temporary tarpaulin-like uses such as covers for hay, silage,
etc.), wire and cable, automobile wrecking, etc. Thus, the MSW collected plastics
waste is mixed one with major components of polyethylene, polypropylene,
polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, etc.
In order to recycle municipal plastic wastes, separation of plastics from
other household wastes is required. For mixed plastics some mechanical
separation equipment is currently available. For example, using a wet separation
process mixed plastics can be separated into two groups: those with a density
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greater than water such as polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride, and those with a
density lower than that of water such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and
expanded polystyrene. The latter group is much larger than the first group.
Consequently, recycling of municipal plastic wastes should deal with
plastic mixtures of polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene, provided that the
above separation procedures are practiced. Although MSW separation
technologies have been studied extensively, it is still not possible to classify MSW
mechanically and obtain marketable fractions. So waste separation at the
household would be a better option with where household wastes are separately
disposed into three parts:
(i) combustibles such as paper, kitchen waste, textiles, and wood,
(ii) incombustibles such as metals, glass, ceramics, and
(iii) plastics
Municipal plastic wastes

Hospital

Textile
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kitchen

Other
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INDUSTRIAL PLASTIC WASTES


Industrial plastic wastes (so-called primary Waste) are those arising from
the large plastics manufacturing, processing and packaging industry. The
industrial waste plastic mainly constitute plastics from construction and
demolition companies (e.g. polyvinyl chloride pipes and fittings, tiles and sheets)
electrical and electronics industries (e.g. switch boxes, cable sheaths, cassette
boxes, TV screens, etc.) and the automotive industries spare-parts for cars, such as
fan blades, seat coverings, battery containers and front grills).
Most of the industrial plastic waste have relatively good physical
characteristics i.e. they are sufficiently clean and free of contamination and are
available in fairly large quantities. It has been exposed to high temperatures
during the manufacturing process which may have decreased its characteristics,
but it has not been used in any product applications.
Municipal plastic wastes are heterogeneous, where as industrial plastics
wastes are homogeneous in nature. For homogeneous plastic wastes,
repelletization and remolding seem to be a simple and effective means of
recycling. But when plastic wastes are heterogeneous or consist of mixed resins,
they are unsuitable for reclamation. In this case thermal cracking into
hydrocarbons may provide a suitable means of recycling, which is termed
chemical recycling.

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Industrial plastic wastes

E-waste

Scrap

Complex scrap

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Following tables shows plastic waste material, possible sources and life
time:

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2.3

NEED OF PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT


Waste plastic problem is an ever-increasing menace for global

environment. Plastics being non biodegradable get accumulated in the


environment. If this problem is not addressed properly, it will lead to mountains of
waste plastic. Due to non degradable nature it remain on earth forever and may
cause soil, water and environmental pollution.
Plastic waste has attracted widespread attention in India, particularly in the
last five years, due to the widespread littering of plastics on the landscape of
India. The environmental issues due to plastic waste arise predominantly due to
the throwaway culture that plastics propagate, and also the lack of an efficient
waste management system.
PLASTIC WASTE: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES & CHALLENGES

Plastics waste is a significant portion of the total municipal solid waste


(MSW). It is estimated that approximately 10 thousand tons per day (TPD) of
plastics waste is generated i.e. 9% of 1.20 lakhs TPD of MSW in the country. The
environmental hazards due to mismanagement of plastics waste include the
following aspects:
Littered plastics spoils beauty of the city and choke drains and make important
public places filthy;
Garbage containing plastics, when burnt may cause air pollution by emitting
polluting gases;
Garbage mixed with plastics interferes in waste processing facilities and may
also cause problems in landfill operations;
Recycling industries operating in non-conforming areas are posing unhygienic
problems to the environment.
Due to all these issues there is need of waste management.
PICTURES SHOWING EFFECT OF PLASTIC WASTE
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Dumping of plastic on land

clogging of drains

Burnt plastic causing air pollution

2.4

5-R

Concept

for

Integrated

Plastic

waste

management
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Reduce.
Reuse.
Recycle.
Recover.
Regulated disposal.

3 RECYCLING
Recycling is the process of turning used products into raw materials that
can be used to make new products. Its purpose is to conserve natural resources
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and reduce pollution. Recycling reduces energy consumption, since it generally


takes less energy to recycle a product than to make a new one. Similarly, recycling
causes less pollution than manufacturing a new product, and conserves raw
materials. It also decreases the amount of waste sent to landfills or incinerators.
Although people have always reused things, recycling as we know it today
emerged as part of the modern environmental movement.

Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third


component of the "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" waste hierarchy.
Plastic recycling is the process of reprocessing used scrap and waste
plastic into new plastic material. Recycling old plastic products uses 20%-40%
less energy than manufacturing it from new.
Plastic is created by combining petroleum or natural gas with oxygen or
chlorine. This process requires the burning of large amounts of oil. If we recycled
all of our plastics we could reduce our oil consumption and save 25% of our
landfill space.

4 DISPOSAL OF PLASTIC WASTE BY RECYCLING


Disposal of the plastic waste using recycling technique classified into,
1. Material recycling of Homogeneous plastic wastes (primary Recycling)
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2. Material Recycling of Mixed Plastic wastes (secondary recycling)


3. Chemical Recycling (Tertiary recycling) and
4. Energy Recovery (Quaternary recycling)
Material Recycling of Homogeneous plastic wastes
The primary recycling process involved the processing of scrap plastics
into the same or similar types of products from which it has been generated, using
the standard plastics processing methods. Only thermoplastics waste can be
directly reprocessed. It can be used alone or, more often added to virgin resin at
various ratios. Primary recycling can be performed by the processor in plant or
through preprocessors. The main technical problems are:
-

degradation of the material due to repeated processing

contamination

handing of low-bulk density scrap

degradation of mechanical performance


The industrial practice of primary recycling is based on size reduction

techniques

done

by

various

type

of granulators,

cryogenic

grinding,

plastcompactors (CONDUX) etc.

Material Recycling of Mixed Plastic Wastes

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Secondary recycling utilizes plastics waste unsuitable for direct


reprocessing through standard equipment. Despite the big publicity on this topic,
still a lot of work is to be done. The main reasons for this slow development are:
-

Contamination of plastics waste

Incompatibility of the plastics

Inconsistency & non reproductibility of the plastic wastes composition.

Less economical viability

Impossibility of mass production


The waste received in secondary recycling factories can be classified in four

ways
-

postconsumer waste recovered from municipal refuse

postconsumer waste obtained from returnable packages


Most of the polymers are incompatible and do not show adherence between

them after plasticizing. By mixing them, a more or less heterogeneous product is


obtained which is for from capable of offering the qualities found in the separate
components.
The essential factor in the recycling of mixed polymers is an efficient
method of homogenizing the mixture. Two generations of plastics have been
brought up on the idea that PVC, PE, PS are mutually incompatible. So, new
technologies transforming such mixtures in acceptable alloys with consistent and
predictable properties.

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Chemical Recycling
The chemical recycling is the recovery of different chemicals from plastic
waste. There is a solution possible to recuperate the chemical components of
plastics waste, but it is delicate to handle and the economics of the system are not
so evident.
The solution consists in considering the plastic portion of waste as crude oil,
heating it to high temperature in a vacuum for example and recuperating the
products of decomposition. These products are hydrocarbons which are partially
usable in the chemical industry and partly hydrocarbons with no chemical value,
but which can be used to provide combustion for pyrolysis kiln.
Two methods are used:
-

pyrolysis and

Chemical decomposition of plastic wastes by hydrolysis, hydrocaracking and other


processes.

Pyrolysis
It is the physical and chemical decomposition of organic materials caused
by heating in an oxygen free or oxygen deficient atmosphere. This process,
sometimes called destructive distillation, drives off volatile components and
leaves a char consisting of carbon and quite often fairly large ash content. By
varying temperature and pressure, it is felt that it is possible to vary the properties
of liquid or gaseous products. Plastics are considered as asset in pyrolysis.
Quaternary recycling
Thermal recycling/Incineration:
Incineration represents a treatment option for the destruction, safe
transformation or reduction of waste. Incineration itself is a generalized term
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which covers a wide range of combustion techniques from open pits through
furnaces to sophisticated high temperature detected, or merchant incineration
facilities.
Plastic alone or mixed with other waste, may be burn for disposal, with or
without heat recovery. They may be included with other wastes for the production
of waste derived fuel. The first large scale MSW incinerator was built in England
in 1870, similar plants, some with heat recovery, were operating in other
European countries and United States before the end of 19 th centuries.
In modern incineration plants combustion, air and water emissions are
controlled. Incineration is controlled by metering the waste to the combustion
chamber and by controlling the volume of air over and under the burning bed by
means of grate. As the waste descends, the grate, the usual the slightly inclined of
turn moving back and forth, pass through three zones: drying, combustion, burn
out, followed by ash removal. An alternative method uses less than the
stoichometric amount of air during combustion. The gases product passes to the
second chamber where they are burn in an excess of air. Particulate and gases
emission are controlled. This design is typical of small units.
In any incinerator, the temperature must be controlled to prevent failure of
materials of construction. This may be achieved by controlling the amount of air
added which may be in 80% 100% excess over stoichometric requirements,
cooling the gases or a walls by water pipes (and generating steam), and
monitoring the input waste. Typically, the temperature must be above 750 oc to
ensure adequate combustion and below 1000oc to prevent ash from melting and
clogging the grate or shortening the life of the refractory materials of construction.
Land filling (disposal)
Highest portion of the solid waste including plastics have been subjected to
landfill. However, disposing of the waste to landfill is becoming undesirable due
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to legislative pressures (where waste to landfill must be reduced by 35% over the
period from 1995 to 2020), rising costs, the generation of explosive greenhouse
gases (such as methane) and the poor biodegradability of commonly used
packaging polymers. In light of these hazards, the EPA has improved federal
regulations for land filling by normalizing the use of liners in the landfill bed,
ground water testing for waste leaks, and post landfill closure care; however, since
waste plastics have a high volume to weight ratio, appropriate landfill space is
becoming both scare and expensive. So, the other methods outlined in scheme 1
should be preferred as an alternative waste management procedure to replace land
filling.

FIG3. Flow chart for Different routes for plastic waste management

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Table2: Polymer feedstock for fuel production


Types of polymer

Descriptions

Examples

Polymers consisting of

Typical feedstock for fuel

Polyethylene, polypropylene,

carbon and hydrogen

production due to high

polystyrene.

heat value and clean


exhaust gas.

Thermoplastics melt to form


solid fuel mixed with other
combustible

wastes

and

decompose to produce liquid


Polymers containing

Lower heat value than

fuel.
PET,

oxygen

above plastics

polyvinyl

Polymers containing

Fuel from this type of

polyoxymethylene
Nitrogen:
polyamide,

nitrogen or sulfur

plastic is a source of

polyurethane

hazardous components
such as NOx or Sox in

phenolic

resin,
alcohol,

Sulfur: polyphenylene sulfide

flue gas.
Flue gas cleaning is
required to avoid emission
of hazardous components
Polymers containing

in exhaust gas.
Source of hazardous and

Polyvinyl

chloride,

halogens of chlorine,

corrosive flue gas upon

Polyvinylidene

chloride,

bromine and fluorine.

thermal treatment and

bromine-containing

combustion.

retardants and fluorocarbon

flame

polymers.

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Chapter3
3.1 PYROLYSIS
Various methodologies have been tried and tested to process waste plastics
for many years, with recycling becoming the most common method reflecting
todays environmental requirements. Plastics that cannot be processed are handled
by waste management companies by normal land filling or incineration.
In recent years, the building or expanding of gasifiers (most notably the
levels of emissions) has become difficult due to opposition from governments and
community groups with environmental concerns. Liquefaction of plastic is a
superior method of reusing this resource. The distillate product is an excellent fuel
and makes pyrolysis one of the best, economically feasible and environmentally
sensitive recycling systems in the world today.

(Plastic waste converting to fuel)

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DEFINITIONS OF PYROLYSIS
Pyrolysis is the chemical decomposition of organic substances by heating
in absence of oxygen.
The word is coined from the Greek-derived elements pyro "fire" and lysys
"decomposition".
It is the physical and chemical decomposition of organic materials caused
by heating in an oxygen free or oxygen deficient atmosphere.
The pyrolysis of plastics produces a liquid product, pyrolysis oil or oil that
can be readily stored and transported. Pyrolysis oil can be used directly as fuel or
further refined into diesel or jet fuel.
As feedstock recycling and pyrolysis is not incineration there are no toxic
or environ- mentally harmful emissions. Pyrolysis recycling of mixed plastics thus
has great potential for heterogenous plastic waste that cannot be economically
separated.Pyrolysis is one of the best methods for preserving valuable petroleum
resources in addition to protecting the environment by decreasing the volume of
non-degradable waste.
In its simplest denition pyrolysis is the degradation of polymers at high
temperatures under nonoxidative conditions to yield valuable products (e.g. fuels
and oils). Pyrolysis is also referred to as polymer cracking and its main
advantages are that it can deal with plastic waste which is otherwise difficult to
recycle and it creates reusable products with unlimited market acceptance.
Pyrolysis typically occurs under pressure and at operating temperatures
above 430 C (800 F). In practice, it is not possible to achieve a completely
oxygen-free atmosphere. Because some oxygen is present in any pyrolysis system,
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a small amount of oxidation occurs. If volatile or semi-volatile materials are


present in the waste, thermal desorption will also occur.
Plastic waste is continuously treated in a cylindrical chamber and the
pyrolytic gases are condensed in a specially-designed condenser system. This
yields a hydrocarbon distillate comprising straight and branched chain aliphatic,
cyclic aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The resulting mixture is essentially
the equivalent to petroleum distillate. The plastic is pyroliser at 370C - 420C and
the pyrolysis gases are condensed in a series of condensers.

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3.1TYPES OF PYROLYSIS
Pyrolysis can be categorized in many types on the basis of reaction speed,
parameters of process, etc. following are the types of pyrolysis.
1. Again pyrolysis is classified on two major classes on the basis of catalyst
useda. Catalytic pyrolysis
b. Non-catalytic pyrolysis
Catalytic Pyrolysis:Pyrolysis oil consists of a complex mixture of aliphatic and aromatic
oxygenates and particulates. It is very viscous, acidic and unstable liquid with
relatively low-energy density compared to conventional fossil oil. Such poor
quality of the oil requires costly post treatment and makes complete process
economically less attractive. Presence of proper catalysts during the Pyrolysis
process can affect the network of reactions and upgrade the oil. Providing good
contact between the catalyst and solid waste is essential to improve the efficiency
of Pyrolysis process. Lower Pyrolysis temperature is crucial maximizing oil yield
and quality.
Catalytic pyrolysis makes whole process very efficient only drawback
associated with system is high cost. Example of catalyst used are zeolite, ZSM-5,
silica-alumina, SAHA/ZSM-5, MCM-41/ZSM-5, FCC.
Non-catalytic pyrolysis
This pyrolysis process is carried out in absence of catalyst. It requires more
temperature conditions. Its main advantage is good efficiency of process with low
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cost. The only thing about this process is we cannot target specific product.
Thermal pyrolysis is type of non-catalytic pyrolysis.
2. On the basis of speed (residence time of waste) of pyrolysis. It is classified
into main two groupsa. Fast Pyrolysis, and
b. Slow Pyrolysis.
Fast Pyrolysis:Flash Pyrolysis is characterized by moderate temperatures between 400600oC and rapid heating rates >2oC/s. Vapor residence times are usually less than
two seconds.
Due to the short vapor residence time, products are high quality,
ethylenerich gases that could subsequently be used to produce alcohols or
gasoline. The production of char and tar is considerable less during this process.
Fast Pyrolysis can be further categorized into the following:
Ablative Fast Pyrolysis - pressure is applied to biomass to increase speed of
decomposition through use of centrifugal or mechanical force. Larger particles
of biomass can be used in this process.
Cyclonic Fast Pyrolysis - also called vortex fast pyrolysis, separates the solids
from the non-condensible gases and returns them to the mixer.
Rotating Cone Fast Pyrolysis - uses a compact high intensity reactor in
which biomass of ambient temperature is mixed with hot sand. Upon mixing
with the hot sand, the biomass decomposes into 70% condensible gases with
15% non-condensible gases and 15% char.
Slow Pyrolysis:Slow Pyrolysis is characterized by slow heating rates, low temperatures
and lengthy gas and solids residence times. Depending on the system, heating
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rates are about 0.1 to 2 oC/s and prevailing temperatures are around 500 oC. Gas
residence time may be greater than five seconds. During conventional Pyrolysis,
the waste is slowly devolatillized; hence tar and char are the main products.
Vacuum pyrolysis
3. On the basis of temperature used pyrolysis again can be classified into two
classesa. High temperature pyrolysis
b. Low temperature pyrolysis
High temperature
High temperature pyrolysis takes place at 500 0C - 10000C. It takes less
residence time and gives more gaseous product.
Low temperature
Low temperature pyrolysis takes place below 5000C temperature. It takes
more residence time and gives more liquid product.
4. Again there are two major classes of pyrolysis on the basis of type of gas used
for purginga. Oxidative pyrolysis
b. Non-oxidative pyrolysis
Oxidative pyrolysis
Oxidative pyrolysis is the process of pyrolysis which allow measured
amount of oxygen in system. In this process co2 is used as purging gas. It
requ1ires less temperature than that of non-oxidative pyrolysis.
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Non-oxidative
Non-oxidative pyrolysis is the process of pyrolysis which does not allow
oxygen in the system. In this type of pyrolysis nitrogen is used as purging gas.

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3.2PRODUCT TYPE AND CHARACTERISTICS


Plastics are separated into oil, gas and char residue by pyrolysis. Recovery
ratio and characteristics of the product distillate differs. This depends on the types
of plastics and the level of contamination as shown in table below. Essentially: the
cleaner the feedstock, the better the yield.
Table3: Product types of some plastics for pyrolysis
Main products

Liquid hydrocarbons

Liquid hydrocarbons

Type of plastics

As a feedstock of liquid fuel

Polyethylene (PE)

Allowed.

Polypropylene (PP)

Allowed.

Polystyrene (PS)

Allowed.

Polymethylmetacrylate

Allowed.

(PMMA)
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-

Allowed.

Styrene

But not suitable.

copolymer (ABS)

Nitrogen-containing fuel is
obtained. Special attention

Polyurethane (PUR)

required to cyanide in oil.


Not suitable. Formation of
water and alcohol.
Not suitable. Formation of
formaldehyde.
Not suitable. Formation of
terephthalic acid and benzoic
acid.
Not suitable.

Phenol resin (PF)


Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Not suitable.
Not allowed.

Polyvinylidene chloride

Not allowed.

No hydrocarbons suitable Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)


for fuel
Polyoxymethylene (POM)
Solid products

Polyethyleneterephthalate
(PET)

Carbonous products
Hydrogen chloride and
carbonous products

(PVDC)

The process can nevertheless tolerate small quantities of plastics containing


heteroatoms. Heteroatoms are atoms other than carbon and hydrogen such as
chlorine, sulphur and nitrogen. Since heteroatoms are heavier than the light
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elements such as carbon and hydrogen, they increase the density of the plastic also
material having heteroatom such as polyvinylchloride (chlorine is heteroatom),
polysulfide (sulfur is heteratom) may cause corrosion of reactor and emission of
hazardous gases.
Polyolefins give the best yield of distillate due to their straight-chain
hydrocarbon structure. Polystyrene is beneficial in the mix since it contributes
aromatic character to the distillate and improves the pour point properties (i.e. the
low-temperature viscosity properties).
Material having low decomposition temperature are suitable for
pyrolysis.if we consider polycarbonate,polyethylene terepthalate are not suitable
for process of pyrolysis.because they require more temperature for degradation
and there pyrolysis will not be economical nor feasible.
So while selecting material for pyrolysis care must be taken that it should
have low decomposition temperature and must not contain heteroatom.following
table shows the material and its suitability for pyrolysis.

PLASTIC WASTE USED IN PYROLYSIS PROCESS


Pyrolysis can process commingled and miscellaneous waste plastics such as:

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1. Mulch film and silage wrap.


2. Mixed post-consumer plastics.
3. Plastic packaging scrap from material recovery/sorting facilities.
4. Oil and detergent bottles.
5. Commercial stretch and shrink wrap.
6. Off-cuts/trimming from nappy production.
7. Caps/labels/rejected bottles from bottle recycling operations.

STEPS IN THE PYROLYSIS OF PLASTICS


1. Introducing Nitrogen.
2. Heating the plastic.
3. Pyrolysis.
4. Condensing.
5. Collecting of product.
6. Testing.

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OPERATION OF PYROLYSIS
The pyrolysis system consists of the prime chamber, which performs the
essential functions of homogenisation, controlled decomposition and outgassing
in a single process. The process requires minimal maintenance apart from carbon
residue removal, and produces consistent quality distillate from mixed and lowgrade plastic waste.
The key to an efficient pyrolysis process is to ensure the plastic is heated
uniformly and rapidly. If temperature gradients develop in the molten plastic mass
then different degrees of cracking will occur and products with a wide distribution
of chain lengths will be formed.
Another important aspect of pyrolysis is to use a negative pressure (or a
partial vacuum) environment. This ensures that oxidation reactions are minimized
and that gaseous pyrolysis vapours are quickly removed from the process chamber
thereby reducing the incidence of secondary reactions and the formation of
undesirable by-products.
The polymer is gently 'cracked' at relatively low temperatures to give
predominantly straight chain aliphatic hydrocarbons with little formation of byproducts. These hydrocarbons are then selectively condensed and cleaved further
catalytically to produce the average carbon chain length required for distillate
fuel.

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3.4 MECHANISM OF PYROLYSIS


Pyrolysis process involves hydrocracking. Hydrocracking is a catalytic
cracking process assisted by the presence of an elevated partial pressure of
hydrogen gas. Similar to the hydrotreater, the function of hydrogen is the
purification of the hydrocarbon stream from sulfur and nitrogen hetero-atoms.
The products of this process are saturated hydrocarbons; depending on the
reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, catalyst activity) these products range
from ethane, LPG to heavier hydrocarbons comprising mostly of isoparaffins.
Hydrocracking is normally facilitated by a bi functional catalyst that is capable of
rearranging and breaking hydrocarbon chains as well as adding hydrogen to
aromatics and olefins to produce naphthenes and alkanes.

CRACKING
Cracking process break down polymer chains into useful lower molecular
weight compounds. The products of plastic pyrolysis process could be utilized as
fuels or chemicals. Three different cracking processes such as hydrocracking,
thermal cracking and catalytic cracking are reported.
Hydrocracking
Hydrocracking of polymer waste typically involves reaction with hydrogen
over a catalyst in a stirred batch autoclave at moderate temperatures and pressures
(typically 423 673 K and 310 MPa hydrogen). The work reported, mainly
focuses on obtaining a high quality gasoline starting from a wide range of feeds.
Typical feeds include polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene,
polyvinyl chloride and mixed polymers, polymer waste from municipal solid
waste and other sources, co-mixing of polymers with coal, co-mixing of polymers
with different refinery oils such as vacuum gasoil and scrap tyres alone or coC.O.E.T.A/Chemical/2012

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processed with coal. To aid mixing and reaction, solvents such as 1-methyl
naphthalene, tetralin and decalin have been used with some success. Several
catalysts, classically used in refinery hydrocracking reactions, have been
evaluated and include transition metals (e.g., Pt, Ni, Mo, Fe) supported on acid
solids (such as alumina, amorphous silicaalumina, zeolites and sulphated
zirconia).These catalysts incorporate both cracking and hydrogenation activities
and although gasoline product range streams have been obtained.
Thermal cracking
Thermal cracking, or Pyrolysis, involves the degradation of the polymeric
materials by heating in the absence of oxygen. The process is usually conducted at
temperatures between 3500c and 9000C and results in the formation of a
carbonized char (solid residues) and a volatile fraction that may be separated into
condensable hydrocarbon oil consisting of paraffins, isoparaffins, olefins,
naphthenes and aromatics, and a noncondensable high calorific value gas. The
proportion of each fraction and their precise composition depends primarily on the
nature of the plastic waste but also on process conditions. The extent and the
nature of these reactions depend both on the reaction temperature and also on the
residence of the products in the reaction zone, an aspect that is primarily affected
by the reactor design. However, the thermal degradation of polymers to low
molecular weight materials requires high temperatures and has a major drawback
in that a very broad product range is obtained. Catalytic pyrolysis provides a
means to address these problems.
Catalytic cracking
In this method a suitable catalyst is used to carry out the cracking reaction.
The presence of catalyst lowers the reaction temperature and time. In addition,
catalytic degradation yields a much narrower product distribution of carbon atom
number with a peak at lighter hydrocarbons and occurs at considerably lower
temperatures. From an economic perspective, reducing the cost even further will
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make this process an even more attractive option. This option can be optimized by
reuse of catalysts and the use of effective catalysts in lesser quantities. This
method seem to be the most promising to be developed into a cost-effective
commercial polymer recycling process to solve the acute environmental problem
of plastic waste disposal.
Thermal cracking involves following reactionsInitiation reactions, where a single molecule breaks apart into two free radicals.
Only a small fraction of the feed molecules actually undergo initiation, but these
reactions are necessary to produce the free radicals that drive the rest of the
reactions. In steam cracking, initiation usually involves breaking a chemical bond
between two carbon atoms, rather than the bond between a carbon and a hydrogen
atom.
CH3CH3 2 CH3
Hydrogen abstraction, where a free radical removes a hydrogen atom from
another molecule, turning the second molecule into a free radical.
CH3 + CH3CH3 CH4 + CH3CH2
Radical decomposition, where a free radical breaks apart into two molecules, one
an alkene, the other a free radical. This is the process that results in the alkene
products of steam cracking.
CH3CH2 CH2=CH2 + H
Radical addition, the reverse of radical decomposition, in which a radical reacts
with an alkene to form a single, larger free radical. These processes are involved
in forming the aromatic products that result when heavier feedstocks are used.
CH3CH2 + CH2=CH2 CH3CH2CH2CH2

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Termination reactions, which happen when two free radicals react with each other
to produce products that are not free radicals. Two common forms of termination
are recombination, where the two radicals combine to form one larger molecule,
and disproportionation, where one radical transfers a hydrogen atom to the other,
giving an alkene and an alkane.
CH3 + CH3CH2 CH3CH2CH3
CH3CH2 + CH3CH2 CH2=CH2 + CH3CH3
Here is an example of cracking with butane CH3-CH2-CH2-CH3
1st possibility (48%): breaking is done on the CH3-CH2 bond.
CH3* / *CH2-CH2-CH3
after a certain number of steps, we will obtain an alkane and an alkene:
CH4 + CH2=CH-CH3
2nd possibility (38%): breaking is done on the CH2-CH2 bond.
CH3-CH2* / *CH2-CH3
after a certain number of steps, we will obtain an alkane and an alkene from
different types: CH3-CH3 + CH2=CH2
3rd possibility (14%): breaking of a C-H bond
After a certain number of steps, we will obtain an alkene and hydrogen gas:
CH2=CH-CH2-CH3 + H2
this is very useful since the catalyst can be recycled.
Another mechanism of HC cracking is as follow
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A thorough study on the mechanism for the thermal decomposition of polymers is


presented by Cullis and Hirschler. The four mechanisms proposed are:
(1) End-chain scission or unzipping: Cracking is targeted at chain ends first, and
then successively works down the polymeric length. Unzipping results in the
production of the monomer.
(2) Random-chain scission: Random fragmentization of polymer along polymer
length. Results in both monomers and oligomers.
(3) Chain-stripping: Side chain reactions involving substituents on the polymer
chain.
(4) Cross-linking: Two adjacent stripped polymer chains can form a bond
resulting in a higher MW species. An example is char formation.
The thermal pyrolysis of PP and PE is known to follow the random chain
scission route, resulting in mainly oligomers and dimers. This mechanism is
illustrated for PE and PP in Figures 2.1 and 2.2, respectively. Peterson et. al.
observed that PE decomposition by thermogravimetry yielded mainly 1-hexene
and propene.

Figure 2.1 Random chain scission in polyethylene.

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Similarly Peterson et. al. observed that in the thermal pyrolysis of PP, the
main products were pentane, 2-methyl-1-pentene and 2,4 dimethyl1-heptene.
During degradation, methyl, primary and secondary alkyl radicals are formed, and
by hydrogen abstractions and recombination of radical units, methane, olefins and
monomers are produced.

Figure 2.2 Random chain scission in polypropylene

Figure 2.3 Unzipping mechanisms in polystyrene

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Pyrolysis process may affected by following parameters


Temperature required for pyrolysis
Temperature varies for each type of pyrolysis. Catalytic pyrolysis requires
less temperature than that of thermal pyrolysis. Presence of catalyst results in
degradation of polymer at low temperature than that of original temperature of
degradation.
Again nature of gas used for purging has effects on temperature
requirement of pyrolysis. If we used CO2 as a purging gas it will require less
temperature than that of N2 gas requirement.
Again temperature requirement for pyrolysis depends upon the material or
waste used in pyrolysis. Polystyrene require less temperature for pyrolysis.
Presence of polystyrene lower down the temperature requirement of whole
process because it decompose at lowest temperature and increase entropy of
whole system and make process feasible.
Effect of material property on pyrolysis
Most commodity hydrocarbon plastics are suitable for pyrolysis. Generally
the larger the substituent in the side chain, the easier the plastic can be degraded.
Density of material used for pyrolysis has marked effect on pyrolysis. The order
of increasing side chain size is high-density polyethylene< low-density
polyethylene < polypropylene <polystyrene. In fact in presence of polystyrene
cause increase in feasibility of process. Polystyrene degrade easily in chamber and
increase entropy of system. As per the law of thermodynamics increase in entropy
will lead to feasibility of process.

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Following are the stages of pyrolysis according to temperature.


1) 100 200 C-Thermal drying, dehydration (physical)
2) 250 C- Deoxidation, desulfurization; loss of water of constitution and carbon
dioxide, depolymerization, onset of hydrogen sulfide evolution
3) 340 C- Bond breaking in aliphatic compounds, onset of evolution of methane
4)
5)
6)
7)

and other aliphatic hydrocarbons


380 C - Carbonization phase (enrichment of carbon in charge)
400 C - Cleavage of C O and C N bonds
400 600 C- Conversion of bituminous matter to pyrolysis oil or pitch
Cracking of bituminous compounds to thermally stable substances

3.4THERMODYNAMICS OF PYROLYSIS

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Thermal cracking is an example of a reaction whose energetic are


dominated by entropy (S) rather than by enthalpy (H) in the Gibbs free
energy equation,

G=H-TS
Although the bond dissociation energy D for a carbon-carbon single bond
is relatively high (about 375 kJ/mol) and cracking is highly endothermic, the large
positive entropy change resulting from the fragmentation of one large molecule
into several smaller pieces, together with the extremely high temperature, makes
TS term larger than the H term, thereby favoring the cracking reaction.

Q= m cp t
Where,
difference

Q=rate of heat flow, cp=specific heat, t=temperature

Here we calculated Q for the HDPE sample. The value of m=100gm=0.1kg,


cp=2200J/kg k, t=428k

Q = 0.1*2200*428
Hence,

Q=94160 J

The value of the rate of heat flow is positive that is there is no loss of
heat occur, so we can say that the process is feasible.

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Kinetic data of polymers(Table4)

Polymer

Melting

Density

point,

Temp

Max.rate of

Apparent

range (C)

decomp at
(C)

reaction

(C)

order, n

HDPE

134

0.954

340500

475

0.83

PP

163

0.91

340460

425

0.3

PS

110

1.05

320415

355

1.04

PET

260

1.41

360410

400

1.20

Combustion data for polymer(Table:5)

Material

Trade

Repeating
name/Manufact
unit
urer

Polyethylene (PE)

LDPE

C2H4

Polypropylene (PP)

Polysciences Inc.

C3H6

hc

hc/

(k (kJ/g)
J/
g)

(kJ/g

44.60

13.01

42.66

12.44

41.96

13.64

23.22

13.93

Qc

47.74
45.80
0.48

Polystyrene (PS)

Polysciences Inc.

Polyethyleneterephthalate Polyscience Inc.


(PET)

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C8H8
C10H8O

43.65
424.13
0.39

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FEASIBILITY OF PYROLYSIS IN LABORATORY


To make process feasible in laboratory achievement of temperature up to
6000C. To create temperature up to 6000C in laboratory was tedious as well as
dangerous task. To make process feasible in laboratory first task before us was to
create constant temperature up to 6000C in laboratory. This could be accomplished
by with the help of muffle furnace which is made available to us by our
department. Muffle furnace solve our problem of temperature requirement and
loss of temperature. Furnace available to us was simple square furnace with door.
Next requirement to make process feasible in laboratory level was to make
system leak proof. During the process the gases leak through the reactor or from
any joint such as joint between condenser and reactor. Because pyrolysis gives
highly ignitable gases and liquid any mistake or careless action may cause fire in
laboratory. To deal with problem we made our system leak proof as we can. We
used silica gel, glass wool, white cement and plaster of paries as leak proof agent.
By above efforts process of pyrolysis made feasible in laboratory level.

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WHY WE CHOOSE PYROLYSIS PROCESS?


Pyrolysis is one of the best methods for preserving valuable petroleum
resources in addition to protecting the environment by decreasing the volume of
non-degradable waste. Advantages of pyrolysis are reduces greenhouse gas
emissions and waste going to landfill,Produces a marketable product (electricity),
Low risk of water pollution, Low risk of odours, High recovery rate of resources,
Minimal risk of health consequences, Commercially proven technology.
Pyrolysis of waste plastics is favored because of the high rates of
conversion into oil, which can be used as fuel or feedstock in refinery. The
gaseous products coming from the pyrolysis process with high caloric value may
also be used as fuel. Recycling by pyrolysis has high potential for heterogeneous
waste plastic materials, as the separation is not economical.
Generally it is a simple, low-cost technology capable of processing a wide
variety of feedstocks producing gases, oil, and charcoal. A promising approach is
the production of a oil that can be used to power ethanol, biodiesel or other local
industries facilities, and a charcoal. The charcoal is incorporated into the soil to
promote its fertility and organic matter through synergistic processes between the
soil, soil organisms, the roots for the plants, water and the CO2 and nitrogen in the
atmosphere.
If we compare pyrolysis with other recycling technique it is much better
method to process waste. Of course primary recycling technique is not suitable for
mixed plastic waste.
Secondary recycling technique utilizes mixed plastic waste and form article
out of it. For example rainy shoes are formed from mixed plastic waste. To form
article out of mixed plastic waste collection, sorting, cleaning and pelletization are
required then article form from it. Article formed by mixed plastic waste have

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very short life span. To form article from mixed plastic waste it is needed that that
waste must be of good quality and should not be degraded or dirty.
Another way of recycling of waste is Incineration which is purely used for
reduction of volume of waste. It includes burning of plastic waste in presence of
oxygen. It emits hazardous gases and unable to give amount of energy plastic
could generate.
Another way of dealing with plastic waste is Land Filling. Land filling not
only responsible for loss in potential of plastic waste and loss in resources but also
for land pollution. It just helps to minimize volume of plastic waste.
Pyrolysis is highly efficient technique of recycling. If 20000 kg of plastic
waste under go for pyrolysis 19000 liter of liquid is come as yield. It means
process is highly efficient. Again special feature of pyrolysis is that, mixed plastic
waste, unsorted, unclean can be processed through this technique. Third most
important feature is that it is environmentally attractive process. Neither has it
evolved any harmful gases nor any solid waste to cause any pollution.
So it is environmentally friendly technique to process plastic waste. Liquid
fuel produced in this technique can be used as automotive fuel after blending with
Diesel. Gases produced in pyrolysis can be used for pyrolysis unit itself (to
generate temperature required for system). It means pyrolysis is self dependent
process for its energy source. It is economical process because it gives more
amount of energy as output than it utilizes. Pyrolysis utilizes total efficiency of
plastic waste to come in use. We believe this much reasons are sufficient for
question why to go for pyrolysis.

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Chapter4
4.1 DESCRIPTION OF PYROLYSIS SET UP
1. FURNACE
Description of furnace
The essential condition to carry process of pyrolysis in laboratory is to
obtain and maintain temperature requirement for the process of pyrolysis.
Minimum temperature requirement for process of pyrolysis is 450 oc and the
maximum can reach up to 650oc. temperature need for our project was limited for
the range of 430oc to 600oc. To achieve this much temperature at constant rate
laboratory furnace is needed furnace available to us was muffle furnace. Detail
related to muffle furnace is given bellowName Muffle Furnace
Specifications:
Voltage 250 volts
Load 10 amps.
Temp. Range 0 1200oc
Dimensions:
Space available 150*150*300 mm2 cross section.
Insulation used - glass wool, asbestos sheets.

Modification in furnace

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With the available furnace it is not possible to maintain the furnace


temperature at required level. So we modify the furnace by attaching the digital
temperature controller which can control the furnace temperature at required
level.

Pictorial representation of Temperature Controller and furnace

5.Digital Temperature Controller

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6. Furnace with temp. controller

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2. REACTOR
Description of reactor
It is feed containing vessel made up of stainless steel. Reactor consists of
three opening on its top for different purposes as shown in below pictures.

Modification in reactor
The previous reactor present was leaked from opening present at top due to
improper matching of condenser and reactor so modify the reactor by welding the
tapper section to the outlet for attaching the condenser system properly in order to
minimizes the leakages as shown in picture. We also attached the sensor from one
of the opening present to the reactor which shows inside temperature of reactor. It
is really difficult to attach the sensor to the reactor for this we sealed a hole of
reactor and kept a small opening through which we can insert the cable of the
sensor inside the reactor so that we minimizes leakages.

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Schematic representation of previous reactor:

7.Pictorial representation of previous reactor:

7a.Front view
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7b. Top view


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8.Schematic representation of modified reactor:

Pictorial representation of Modified Reactor:

8a. Front view


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8b. Top view


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9.Pictorial representation of Sensor

Temperature sensor

sensor attached to reactor

3. DOOR OF FURNACE
Door is opening provided for insertion of reactor into the furnace

Description of DOOR
Material mild steel (ms)
Dimensions:
Surface area- 260*260 mm2
Height 50 mm
Reactor opening diameter - 78 mm
Insulating material used - glass wool (250 gm),Plaster of Paris (100 gm),
Asbestos sheets (3sheets)(150*150 mm2).
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10.Picture of door

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4.2ACCESSORIES FOR THE SET UP


1. Purging system
Purging is needed to remove oxygen present in whole set up. Presence of
oxygen cause burning of plastic waste not pyrolysis. Purging is done at
1.05 0.07 kgf / m2 little more than that of atm pressure. Purging system consist
of one nitrogen cylinder, regulator, pipe and nozzle. Nitrogen purging cylinder
was available on rent by Natwarlal Visanji Agency in Akola.

11.Pictorial representation of purging system:-

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2. Condensation system
Condensation system is used to receive vapours formed due to process of
pyrolysis. It consists of one reflux condenser. Inlet of condenser is attached to
opening of rector provided for condensation system using bent. Product vessel is
attached to the outlet of condenser by bent. It is attached in inclined shape so that
liquid travels easily to collection system. Inlet is provided from bottom of the
condenser & outlet is provided from top condenser, care should be taken that
whole condenser should be filled by cooling water.

12.Pictorial representation of condensation system:-

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3. Cooling system
Cooling system is to provide cool water continuously for condensation of
vapours formed as product of pyrolysis.
Cooling system consist of one bucket to which one outlet system is drilled
at bottom tap is fixed to drilled portion of bucket. Care is taken while fixing tap
because small leakage may cause huge water loss. Pipe is extended from top of
bucket to bottom inlet of condenser inlet of condenser. From top of condenser
opening pipe is extended to bucket for use of water. Bucket is placed at the height
of 3 ft. from height of condenser so that water should flow without use of any
force. We used chilled water as cooling media.

13.Pictorial representation of cooling system:-

4. Collection system
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Purpose of collection system is to receive liquid product from condenser.


Collection system was consist of one vessel having round bottom two and
openings out of which one is blocked by rubber cork. Another opening is
connected to condenser via bend. To keep vessel in air stand was provided.
Collection vessel must be washed and dried thoroughly.

14.Pictorial representation of collection system:-

Chapter5
5.1PROCESS DESCRIPTION
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Followings are the steps which takes place during the run of the set up.
1. Cleaning of reactor
2. Material preparation
3. Filling of reactor
4. Insertion of reactor into the furnace
5. Purging
6. Switch on the furnace
7. Condensation and product collection
It is necessary to clean the reactor and other accessories such as condenser
product vessel etc. before the start of process because unclean reactor may cause
physical changes i.e. contamination of final product or may cause problem in
material balance. We used detergent and scrubber to wash the reactor using
moderate temperature water. The condenser is clean by using hot water so that the
dust or trapped product of earlier batch can remove easily. After cleaning
equipments are kept for drying. Sometime manual drying may require.
Secondly is raw material preparation which includes cutting of raw
materials, washing and drying, for uniform temperature distribution through the
raw material it is cut into pieces having similar or nearly similar surface area.
After cutting raw material in pieces next step is washing or cleaning of raw
material by water. After washing water is removed and material is kept for drying
or preheating in furnace. Preheating removes water and other volatiles impurities.
In next step, dried or preheated material is then filled into the reactor.
Bolts attached to flanges are screwed tightly to avoid leakage problem. At this this
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step we inserted sensor into the reactor from one of the opening present at top of
reactor which measures and shows temperature in the reactor. The reactor is then
placed in to the furnace.
Condenser assembly is attached to the reactor as shown in the fig. cooling
system consist of one bucket having one opening for outlet water two pipes to two
openings of condenser is provided. First flow rate and flow temperature of inlet
water is measured, and then it is attached to condenser. As the water comes out of
condenser its outlet flow rate & out let temperature is measured. Here we are
using inclined product condenser. As the product vapours starts coming out they
are condensed by cooling water & condensed product dripped inside the
collection vessels.
Care must be taken to make whole system leak proof. Leak may cause
entry of oxygen inside reactor or loss of product through leaks. To make system
leak proof silica gel, white cement and plaster of paries are used.
As the process starts purging is done initially for 5 to 7 minutes. Every
process condition such as flow rates, various temperatures, resident time, and
purging pressure is noted. To make system oxygen free purging is done after every
15 minutes.

15.Schematic representation of pyrolysis set up

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16.Pictorial view of pyrolysis set up

5.2

IDENTIFICATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLASTICS

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There are several simple tests that can be used to distinguish between the
common types of polymers so that they may be separated for processing.
According to that we choose PS and HDPE for our process. For that purpose we
choose college articles and milk pouches, which have to pass from few tests listed
below:Table:6

Test

Water

Material
Stationary

Burning

Smell after Other


burning

Sinks

articles

Yellow, sooty Sweet

Prediction

characteristics
Drips.

PS

flame

(glassy pens,
scales , set
squares, etc)

Milk pouches

Floats

Blue flame

Like candle

with yellow

wax.

Melts and drips HDPE

tip,

5.3 BATCH DESCRIPTION


We carried out pyrolysis process on three different types of plastic waste
PS, HDPE and polyolefinic waste. Polyolefinic waste is combination of HDPE,
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LDPE and PP waste. We used packaging bags such as for food and vegetables as a
polyolefinic waste. The process is done two times for each plastic waste.
We changes temperature during both batches and study changes in product
yield with respect to temperature. The temperature at which product yield or
liquid dripping is more is selected as optimum temperature. Another factor
consider while choosing optimum temperatures product composition & sealing
condition of reactor.
At first we set temperature at 600 oc on controller, as we do not know the
exact temperature at which the fumes will observe, in this case we seen that less
temperature is reach to the reactor due to the time lack. But we also observe that
when the temperature is in between 150 oc -300 oc of the reactor the fumes are
seen. Hence for second batch we set temperature on 450 oc on controller and
observed the results.
Following graphs and tables shows results of two batches for three
different materials.
We observe that, if temperature increased more than 570 oc silica grease
used for sealing collapse and leakages increases. So we keep our temperature
requirement below 550oc.
Temperature of cooling water is also have marked effect on product. More
freeze water may cause freezing of vapours in condenser only for this we keep
temperature of cooling water in the range of 19oc 20oc. About flow rate, initially
flow rate of cooling water is kept low as residence time increases flow rate is
increase by little fraction. Before the batch raw material is prepared (cutting,
washing, drying) and weighed properly. As the batch starts flow rate and
temperature of inlet, outlet cooling water is measured.
17.DIFFERENT TYPES OF WASTE
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PS WASTE

HDPE WASTE

POLYOLEFINIC WASTE

5.3.1FOR STATIONARY ARTICLES (PENS, SCALES ETC.)(PS)


Following table7. will give process conditions and material balance of batches.
First Batch

Second Batch

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Material

PS

PS

Amount

100gm

250gm

Temp. set on

600 oc

450 oc

15 oc

18 oc

17 oc

19.5 oc

0.0142lit/sec

0.0142lit/sec

0.0142lit/sec

0.0142lit/sec

40min

50min

controller
Inlet water
temp.
Outlet water
temp.
Inlet water flow
rate
Outlet water
flow rate
Residence time

Graph1: Temperature vs. time graph for PS waste


In the graph temperature is in (0c) and time is in (min)

600
Furnace
500
Reacto
r
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400
Material PS
Fumes at temp
Furnace temp:370C
Reactor Temp:224C

300
200
100
0

10

20

30

40

50

Above graph shows the temperature of reactor and furnace at which fumes are observe
for first batch of PS waste. When fumes are seen during the process the temperature of
furnace is 370 oc and rector temperature is 224 oc and time is 17min from start of the
process.

MATERIAL BALANCE
Batch no.

Material

Liquid obt.

Liquid obt.

Residue

Losses

amount

(gm)

(ml)

First

100gm

67.54gm

71.09ml

16.37gm

16.09gm

Second

250gm

182.25gm

191.84ml

61.46gm

6.29gm

(Table8):Material balance of PS waste

5.3.2FOR MILK POUCHES(HDPE)

Material

First batch

Second batch

HDPE

HDPE

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Amount

100gm

250gm

Temp. set on

600C

450C

15C

16C

18C

19C

0.0133lit/sec

0.0133lit/sec

0.0133lit/sec

0.0133lit/sec

30min

45min

controller
Inlet water
temp.
Outlet water
temp.
Inlet water flow
rate
Outlet water
flow rate
Residence time

Table9:Batch preparation for HDPE waste

Graph2: Temperature vs. time graph for HDPE waste


In the graph temperature is in (0c) and time is in (min)

600
Furnace
500

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React
or
Material HDPE
Fumes at temp
Furnace temp:350C
Reactor Temp:195C

400
Temp
300
200
100
0

10

20

30

40

50 time

Above graph shows the temperature of reactor and furnace at which fumes are
observe for first batch of HDPE waste. When fumes are seen during the process
the temperature of furnace is 350 oc and rector temperature is 195 oc, at the time
25min from start of process.

MATERIAL BALANCE
Batch no.

Material

Liquid obt.

Liquid

Residue

Losses

amount

(gm)

obt. (ml)

First

100gm

61.32gm

64.54ml

20.47gm

18.21gm

Second

250gm

189.51gm

199.48ml

54.75gm

5.74gm

Table10:Material balance for HDPE waste


5.3.3MIX PLASTIC WASTE (CONTAINING HDPE, LDPE, PP)

Material

First batch

Second batch

polyolefin

Polyolefin

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Amount

100gm

200gm

Temp. set

600C

450C

Inlet water temp.

15C

17C

Outlet water

16C

18C

0.0125lit/sec

0.0125lit/sec

0.0125lit/sec

0.0125lit/sec

30min

40min

temp.
Inlet water flow
rate
Outlet water flow
rate
Residence time

Table11:Batch preparation for mixed plastic(olefinic plastic waste)

Graph3: Temperature vs. time graph for POLYOLIFINIC waste


In the graph temperature is in (0c) and time is in (min)

600
Furnace
500

400
Temp

React
or
Material :Polyolefins

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300

Fumes at temp
Furnace temp:370C
Reactor Temp:210C

200
100
0

10

20

30

40

50 time

Above graph shows the temperature of reactor and furnace at which fumes are
observe for first batch of POLYOLIFINIC waste. When fumes are seen during the
process the temperature of furnace is 370 oc and rector temperature is 210oc, and
the time is 14min from start of process.

MATERIAL BALANCE
Batch no.

Material

Liquid obt.

Liquid

amount

(gm)

obt.

Residue

Losses

(ml)
First

100gm

66.22gm

69.70ml

23.57gm

10.21gm

Second

200gm

166.10gm

174.84ml

25.23gm

8.67gm

Table12:Material balance for olefinic waste

Chapter6
6.1TESTING OF PRODUCT AND COMPARATIVE STUDY
Product yield from pyrolysis is necessary to pass through various tests to compare
the results with other fuel. Following are the few testing, there results and
comparative study of results with diesel is given bellow.
The product obtained in pyrolysis process is overhead and bottom product. The
overhead obtained is in crude form and bottom product obtained is residue.
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Product of pyrolysis

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6.1 FLASH AND FIRE POINT TEST


What is flash point?
The flash point of a fuel is essentially the lowest temperature at which
vapours from a test portion combine with air to give a flammable mixture and
'flash' when an ignition source is applied.
Specifications quote flash point values for quality control purposes as well as for
controlling the flammability risk. The lower the flash point temperature the
greater the risk. A change in flash point may indicate the presence of potentially
dangerous volatile contaminants or the adulteration of one product by another.
The flash point is not to be confused with the autoignition temperature, which
does not require an ignition source. The flash point is often used as a descriptive
characteristic of liquid fuel, and it is also used to help characterize the fire hazards
of liquids. Flash point refers to both flammable liquids and combustible liquids
What is fire point?
The fire point is defined as the temperature at which the vapour continues
to burn after being ignited, it is higher than flash point.
Neither of these parameters is related to the temperatures of the ignition
source or of the burning liquid, which are much higher. There are various
international standards for defining each, but most agree that liquids with a flash
point less than 60C are flammable, and those above this temperature are
combustible.

Methods for Flash-Point Testing


Abel Flash Point Testing

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Pensky-Martens Flash Point Testing


Tag Flash Point Testing
Cleveland Open Cup Flash Point Testing (COC)
Rapid Equilibrium Methods (RECC)
Rapid Equilibrium Flash/No Flash Methods
Continuously Closed Cup Method (CCCF)
Table13: Reference of flash point
Fuel

Flash point

Ethanol (70%)

16.6 C (61.88 F)

Gasoline (petrol)

-43 C (-45 F)

Diesel

>62 C (143 F)

Jet fuel

>60 C (140 F)

Kerosene (paraffin oil)

>3872 C (100162 F)

Vegetable oil (canola)

327 C (620 F)

Biodiesel

>130 C (266 F)

Result of flash point testing

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From above mentioned methods we used ABLES FLASH POINT TESTER


to measure our flash point and fire point. This test is carried in our college
chemical department.

18.ABLES FLASH POINT TESTER

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Fig4:Cleveland Open Cup


The procedure of flash and fire point measurement by ABELS FLASH
POINT TESTERis as same as Cleveland open cup as shown in above figure.

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Table14:Result of flash and fire point of product obtained at 6000c


MATERIAL

FLASH POINT( 0c)

FIRE POINT (0c)

(in crude form)

Milk pouches (HDPE)

69

81

Stationary articles (PS)

55

60

Olefinic waste

40

56

Table15:Result of flash and fire point of product obtained at 4500C


MATERIAL

FLASH POINT( 0c)

FIRE POINT (0c)

(in crude form)

Milk pouches (HDPE)

72

84

Stationary articles (PS)

53

62

Olefinic waste

42

58

By observing above results and comparing it from reference table of flash point.
We may say we are approaching nearest values of diesel.

6.2 DENSITY TEST


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Density test is carried out in our colleges polymer department. Density is


calculated in terms of gm/cm3. We can carry out the density test only of product
obtained during second batch of all three wastes.
Table16:Result of density test of product obtained at 4500c
MATERIAL (crude oil)

DENSITY(gm/cc)

Olefinic

0.4711

HDPE

0.6713

PS

0.8794

Diesel

0.843

From above table the density of polystyrene and HDPE shows near range to the
density of diesel.

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6.3 FT-IR TEST


Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a technique which is
used to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption, emission, photoconductivity or
Raman scattering of a solid, liquid or gas. An FTIR spectrometer simultaneously
collects spectral data in a wide spectral range. This confers a significant advantage
over a dispersive spectrometer which measures intensity over a narrow range of
wavelengths at a time.
FTIR technique has made dispersive infrared spectrometers all but obsolete
(except sometimes in the near infrared) and opened up new applications of
infrared spectroscopy.
FTIR is most useful for identifying chemicals that are either organic or
inorganic. It can be utilized to quantitative some components of an unknown
mixture. It can be applied to the analysis of solids, liquids, and gasses. The term
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) refers to a fairly recent
development in the manner in which the data is collected and converted from an
interference pattern to a spectrum
By interpreting the infrared absorption spectrum, the chemical bonds in a
molecule can be determined. FTIR spectra of pure compounds are generally so
unique that they are like a molecular "fingerprint". While organic compounds
have very rich, detailed spectra, inorganic compounds are usually much simpler.
For most common materials, the spectrum of an unknown can be identified by
comparison to a library of known compounds. We have several infrared spectral
libraries including on-line computer libraries. To identify less common materials,
IR will need to be combined with nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry,
emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and/or other techniques

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This test of our product is carried out at UDCT Jalgoan, results of FT-IR
technique for different product (for crude and residue) is given below.
FT-IR technique is giving brief knowledge about type of linkages and brief
idea about compound which is present in liquid. Still we cant predict whether it is
belongs to fuel group or just a fuel. Result test, fire point test, density test,
calorific value test will help us to know our product in more detail manner.
Infrared spectroscopy exploits the fact that molecules absorb specific
frequencies that are characteristic of their structure. These absorptions are
resonant frequencies, i.e. the frequency of the absorbed radiation matches the
frequency of the bond or group that vibrates. The energies are determined by the
shape of the molecular potential energy surfaces, the masses of the atoms, and the
associated vibronic coupling.
Practical IR spectroscopy
The infrared spectrum of a sample is recorded by passing a beam of
infrared light through the sample. Examination of the transmitted light reveals
how much energy was absorbed at each wavelength. This can be done with a
monochromatic beam, which changes in wavelength over time, or by using a
Fourier transform instrument to measure all wavelengths at once. From this, a
transmittance or absorbance spectrum can be produced, showing at which IR
wavelengths the sample absorbs. Analysis of these absorption characteristics
reveals details about the molecular structure of the sample. When the frequency of
the IR is the same as the vibrational frequency of a bond, absorption occurs.
This technique works almost exclusively on samples with covalent bonds.
Simple spectra are obtained from samples with few IR active bonds and high
levels of purity. More complex molecular structures lead to more absorption bands
and more complex spectra. The technique has been used for the characterization
of very complex mixtures.
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Sample preparation
Liquid samples can be sandwiched between two plates of a salt (commonly
sodium chloride, or common salt, although a number of other salts such as
potassium bromide or calcium fluoride are also used).[1] The plates are transparent
to the infrared light and do not introduce any lines onto the spectra.
Solid samples can be prepared in a variety of ways. One common method is
to crush the sample with an oily mulling agent (usually Nujol) in a marble or
agate mortar, with a pestle. A thin film of the mull is smeared onto salt plates and
measured. The second method is to grind a quantity of the sample with a specially
purified salt (usually potassium bromide) finely (to remove scattering effects from
large crystals). This powder mixture is then pressed in a mechanical press to form
a translucent pellet through which the beam of the spectrometer can pass. [1] A third
technique is the "cast film" technique, which is used mainly for polymeric
materials. The sample is first dissolved in a suitable, non hygroscopic solvent. A
drop of this solution is deposited on surface of KBr or NaCl cell. The solution is
then evaporated to dryness and the film formed on the cell is analysed directly.
Care is important to ensure that the film is not too thick otherwise light cannot
pass through. This technique is suitable for qualitative analysis. The final method
is to use microtomy to cut a thin (20100 m) film from a solid sample. This is
one of the most important ways of analysing failed plastic products for example
because the integrity of the solid is preserved.
In photoacoustic spectroscopy the need for sample treatment is minimal.
The sample, liquid or solid, is placed into the sample cup which is inserted into
the photoacoustic cell which is then sealed for the measurement. The sample may
be one solid piece, powder or basically in any form for the measurement. In
example a piece of rock can be inserted into the sample cup and the spectrum
measured from it.

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It is important to note that spectra obtained from different sample


preparation methods will look slightly different from each other due to differences
in the samples' physical states.
Comparing to a reference

Fig5:Schematics of a two-beam absorption spectrometer.


A beam of infrared light is produced, passed through an interferometer (not
shown), and then split into two separate beams. One is passed through the sample,
the other passed through a reference. The beams are both reflected back towards a
detector, however first they pass through a splitter, which quickly alternates which
of the two beams enters the detector. The two signals are then compared and a
printout is obtained. This "two-beam" setup gives accurate spectra even if the
intensity of the light source drifts over time.
To take the infrared spectrum of a sample, it is necessary to measure both
the sample and a "reference" (or "control"). This is because each measurement is
affected by not only the light-absorption properties of the sample, but also the
properties of the instrument (for example, what light source is used, what detector
is used, etc.). The reference measurement makes it possible to eliminate the
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instrument influence. Mathematically, the sample transmission spectrum is


divided by the reference transmission spectrum.
The appropriate "reference" depends on the measurement and its goal.
The simplest reference measurement is to simply remove the sample (replacing it
by air). However, sometimes a different reference is more useful. For example, if
the sample is a dilute solute dissolved in water in a beaker, then a good reference
measurement might be to measure pure water in the same beaker. Then the
reference measurement would cancel out not only all the instrumental properties
(like what light source is used), but also the light-absorbing and light-reflecting
properties of the water and beaker, and the final result would just show the
properties of the solute (at least approximately).
A common way to compare to a reference is sequentially: First measure
the reference, then replace the reference by the sample, then measure the sample.
This technique is not perfectly reliable: If the infrared lamp is a bit brighter during
the reference measurement, then a bit dimmer during the sample measurement,
the measurement will be distorted. More elaborate methods, such as a "two-beam"
setup (see figure), can correct for these types of effects to give very accurate
results.

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Graph4:FTIR

An interferogram from an FTIR measurement. The horizontal axis is the


position of the mirror, and the vertical axis is the amount of light detected. This is
the "raw data" which can be Fourier transformed to get the actual spectrum.
Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a measurement
technique that allows one to record infrared spectra. Infrared light is guided
through an interferometer and then through the sample (or vice versa). A moving
mirror inside the apparatus alters the distribution of infrared light that passes
through

the

interferometer.

The

signal

directly

recorded,

called

an

"interferogram", represents light output as a function of mirror position. A dataprocessing technique called Fourier transform turns this raw data into the desired
result (the sample's spectrum): Light output as a function of infrared wavelength
(or equivalently, wavenumber). As described above, the sample's spectrum is
always compared to a reference.
There is an alternate method for taking spectra (the "dispersive" or
"scanning monochromator" method), where one wavelength at a time passes
through the sample. The dispersive method is more common in UV-Vis
spectroscopy, but is less practical in the infrared than the FTIR method. One
reason that FTIR is favored is called "Fellgett's advantage" or the "multiplex
advantage": The information at all frequencies is collected simultaneously,
improving both speed and signal-to-noise ratio. Another is called "Jacquinot's
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Throughput Advantage": A dispersive measurement requires detecting much


lower light levels than an FTIR measurement. [2] There are other advantages, as
well as some disadvantages,[2] but virtually all modern infrared spectrometers are
FTIR instruments.
Fig6:Absorption bands

Wave numbers listed in cm1.

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FTIR RESULTS FOR STATIONARY ARTICLES (PS in crude form over


head)

Graph5:Result of first batchs product obtained at 6000c

40

540.09
476.43
758.05
702.11

904.64

1074.39
1020.38

1263.42
1492.95
1448.59

1612.54

1807.36
1734.06

1952.03
1878.73

2233.64
2858.60

50

2928.04

60

3068.85
3028.34

70

3385.18

80

3688.02

90

2320.44

110
%T
100

30
20
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500
Liquid
1/cm

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Table17:Reference table for FTIR peak values

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Table18:RESULT:The peak values in above graph shows following


compounds
Sr. No.
1

Peak Value
476.43

2
3
4
5
6
7
8

540.09
702.11
758.05
904.64
1020.38
1074.39
1263.42

Type Of Bond
Iodoalkanes
C-H
Aromatices
Aromatices
C-H
C-O
C-O
C-O

Types Of Compound
Any
Alkynes
Monosubstituted Benzene
Metasubstituted Benzene
Alkene
Alcohols, ethers
Alcohols, ethers
Alcohols,ethers carboxylic, acids

C-N
C-N
C=C
C=O

& esters
Amines
Amines
Aromatic
Aldehydes, Ketonecarboxylic

1807.36

Phenyl Ring

acids & esters


Any

1878.73

Substitution
Phenyl Ring

Any

1952.03

Substitution
Cis-

C=C asymmentric compound

16
17
18
19

2233.64
2320.44
2858.6
2928.04

RCH=CHR
CC
CC
C-H
Carboxylic

Alkynes
Alkynes
Alkane
Any

20
21

3028.34
3068.85

acid
C-H
Aromatic

Alkene
Any

22
23

3385.18
3688.02

Ring
C-H
O-H

Alkynes
H-Bonded Alcohol& Phenol

9
10
11
12
13
14
15

1448.59
1492.95
1612.54
1734.06

FT-IR RESULTS FOR COLLEGE ARTICALS (PS in crude form)


Graph6:Result of second batchs product obtained at 4500c

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40

30
1950.10
1878.73
1809.29
1737.92

543.94
484.15

827.49

426.28

1371.43
1263.42

1082.10
1022.31
902.72
754.19
700.18

20
2326.23
2235.57

80
%T
70

1608.69
1595.18
1498.74
1448.59

50

3068.85
3026.41
2928.04
2858.60

60

3688.02
3545.28
3421.83

PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

10
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500
Liquid
1/cm

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Table19:Reference table for FTIR peak values


Table20:RESULT:The peak values in above graph shows following compounds
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Sr. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6

Peak Value
426.28
484.15
543.94
700.18
754.19
827.49

Type Of Bond
Iodoalkanes
Iodoalkanes
C-H
Aromatices
Aromatices
C-H

7
8
9

902.72
1022.31
1082.1

C-H
C-H
C-O

10

1263.42

C-O

11
12
13
14
15
16
17

1371.43
1448.59
1498.74
1595.18
1608.69
1737.92
1809.29

18

1878.73

19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

1950.1
2235.57
23226.23
2858.6
2928.04
3026.41
3069.85
3421.83
3545.28
3688.02

CH3
C-H
C=C
C=C
C=C
C=O
Carboxylic acid &
derivatives
Carboxylic acid &
derivatives
C-H
C-N
CC
C-H
C-H
=C-H & =CH2
=C-H & =CH2
N-H
O-H
N-H

Types Of Compound
Any
Any
Alkynes
Monosubstituted Benzene
Metasubstituted Benzene
Phenyl Ring Substitution Bands
Alkenes
Alkenes
Alcohols, ether, carboxylic acids
& esters
Alcohols, ether, carboxylic acids
& esters
Isopropyl. t-butyl
Alkane
Aromatic ring
Aromatic ring
Alkene
Aldehydes
Acyl halides
Acyl halides
Phenyl Ring Substitution Bands
Nitriles
Alkynes
Alkane
Alkane
Alkene
Alkene
Amine
Alcohol& Phenol
Amide

FT-IR RESULTS FOR COLLEGE ARTICALS (PS residue)


Graph7:Result of second batchs residue obtained at 4500C

C.O.E.T.A/Chemical/2012
Page 89

538.16
472.58
416.64

698.25

862.21
804.34

1604.83

2359.02

1730.21

1504.53
1454.38
1406.15

1095.60

75

1020.38

82.5

1261.49

90

2960.83

3689.95
3618.58

97.5

3410.26

112.5
%T
105

1950.10

PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

67.5
60
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500
Solid
1/cm

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Table21:Reference table for FTIR peak values

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Table22:Result:The peak values in above graph shows following


compounds
Sr. No.

Peak Value

Type Of Bond

Types Of Compound

416.64

Iodoalkanes

Monosubstituted

472.58

Iodoalkanes

Metasubstituted

538.16

Phenyl Ring

Any

698.25

Phenyl Ring

Any

804.34

C-H

Phenyl Ring

862.21

C-H

Phenyl Ring

1020.38

C-N

Amines

1095.16

C-N

Amines

1261.49

C-O

Alcohols, ethers

10

1406.15

C-N

Amines

11

1454.38

C=C

Aromatic ring

12

1504.53

C=C

Aromatic ring

13

2604.83

C=C

Alkenes

14

1730.21

C=O

Aldehydes, Ketone
,carboxylic acids & esters

15

1950.1

CisRCH=CHR

C=C Asymmetric
compound

16

2359.02

C=N

Nitrile

17

2960.83

Alkyl

Methyl

18

3410.26

N-H

Amines

19

3618.58

O-H

Monomeric Alcohols &


phenols

20

3689.95

O-H

H Bonded Alcohols &


phenols

FT-IR RESULTS FOR MILK POUCHES (HDPE in crude form)


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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

10

543.94
804.34

2920.32
2856.67

20

1454.38

30

738.76
711.76

40

1084.03
1006.88
985.66
902.72

1265.35
1367.58

50

3068.85

60

1732.13

2675.36

70

1643.41

2330.09

90
%T
80

1942.38

Graph8:Result of second batchs product obtained at 4500C

0
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500
Liquid
1/cm

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Table23:Reference table for FTIR peak values


Table24:RESULT:The peak values in above graph shows following
compounds
C.O.E.T.A/Chemical/2012
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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Sr. No.
1

Peak Value
543.94

Type Of Bond
Phenol Ring

Types Of Compound
Any

711.76

Substitution
Aromatices

Monosubstituted

738.76

Aromatices

Benzene
Monosubstituted

804.34

Aromatices

Benzene
Metasubstituted

902.72

Vinyl

Benzene
Monosubstituted

985.66

Vinyl

Alkene
Monosubstituted

7
8
9

1006.88
1084.03
1265.35

C-N
C-N
C-O CH3

Alkene
Amines
Amines
Alcohols,
carboxylic

10
11
12
13

1367.58
1454.38
1643.41
1732.13

CH3
C-H
C=C
C=O

ether,
acids

&

esters
Isopropyl. t-butyl
Alkane
Alkene
Aldehydes,
Ketonecarboxylic

14

1942.38

Cis-

acids & esters


C=C
asymmentric

15
16
17
18
19

2330.09
2675.36
2856.67
2920.32
3068.85

RCH=CHR
O-H
O-H
C-H
C-H
C-H

compound
carboxylic acids
carboxylic acids
Alkane
Alkane
Alkene

FT-IR RESULTS FOR MILK POUCHES (HDPE residue)


Graph9::Result of second batchs residue obtained at 4500c

C.O.E.T.A/Chemical/2012
Page 95

536.23
472.58
424.35
723.33

2922.25
2850.88

30
20

802.41

1462.09

40

1091.75
1028.09

50

1261.49

1371.43

1710.92

2343.59
2663.78

60

3375.54

70

3691.88
3616.65

90
%T
80

2021.47

PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

10
0
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500
Solid
1/cm

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Table25:Reference table for FTIR peak values


Table26:RESULT:The peak values in above graph shows following compounds
C.O.E.T.A/Chemical/2012
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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Sr. No.

Peak Value

Type Of Bond

Types Of Compound

424.35

Iodoalkanes

Any

472.58

Iodoalkanes

Any

536.23

C-H

Alkynes

723.33

Aromatic

Monosubstituted
Benzene

802.41

Phenyl Ring

Metasubstituted
Benzene

1028.09

C-N

Amines

1091.75

C-N

Amines

1261.49

C-O

Alcohols, ethers

1371.43

CH3

Isopropyl. t-butyl

10

1462.09

C-N

Amines

11

1710.92

C=O

Aldehydes,

Ketone

,carboxylic acids &


esters
12

2021.47

-N=C=O,-

Isocyanates,diimides

N=C=N-,C=C

& ketones

=O
13

2343.59

C=N

Nitrile

14

2663.78

C=O,C-H

Aldehydes, Ketone

15

2850.88

C=O

carboxylic acids

16

2922.35

C=O

carboxylic acids

17

3375.54

N-H

Amines

18

3616.65

O-H

Monomeric Alcohols
& phenols

19

3691.88

O-H

H -bonded Alcohols
& phenols

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

FT-IR RESULTS FOR MIX PLASTIC WASTE ( Polyolefins in crude


form)

542.02
468.72
719.47

896.93

802.41

2922.25
2852.81

10

1458.23

20

1095.60
1022.31

30

1261.49

1375.29

40

3072.71

50

1701.27
1645.33

2727.44

60

3695.73
3618.58

80
%T
70

2366.74

Graph10)Result of first batchs product obtained at 6000C

0
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500
Viscous
1/cm

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Table23:Reference table for FTIR peak values


C.O.E.T.A/Chemical/2012
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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Table28:RESULT:The peak values in above graph shows following compounds


Sr. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Peak Value
468.72
542.02
719.47
802.41
896.93
1022.31
1095.6
1261.49

Type Of Bond
Iodoalkanes
C-H
Aromatic
Phenol Ring
C-H
C-N
C-N
C-O

acids & esters


Isopropyl. t-butyl
Amines
Amines
carboxylic, acids &

9
10
11
12

1375.29
1458.23
1645.33
1701.27

13
14
15

2366.74
2727.44
2852.81

C=N
C-H
carboxylic, acids &

Derivatives
Nitrile
Aldehydes & Ketone
Any

2922.25

Derivatives
carboxylic, acids &

Any

17
18

3072.71
3618.58

Derivatives
Aromatic Ring
O-H

Any
Monomeric Alcohols &

19

3695.73

16

CH3
C-N
N-H
C=O

Types Of Compound
Any
Alkynes
Monosubstituted Benzene
Metasubstituted Benzene
Phenyl Ring
Amines
Amines
Alcohols, ethers carboxylic,

O-H

phenols
H -bonded Alcohols &
phenols

FT-IR RESULTS FOR MIX PLASTIC WASTE ( Polyolefins in crude


form)

Graph11:Result of second batchs product obtained at 4500c

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

543.94
719.47

804.34
896.93

1097.53

2920.32
2856.67

20

1456.30

30

1008.80

1271.13

1703.20

40

3070.78

50

1645.33

2729.37
2673.43

1604.83

60

1373.36

70

3691.88
3624.37

%T

462.93

2322.37
2185.42

80

4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500
Liquid
1/cm

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Table29:Reference table for FTIR peak values


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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Table30:RESULT:The peak values in above graph shows following compounds


Sr. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6

Peak Value
462.93
543.94
719.47
804.34
896.93
1008.8

Type Of Bond
Iodoalkanes
C-H
Aromatices
C-H
C-H
C-O

Types Of Compound
Any
Alkynes
Any
Phenyl Ring Substitution
Phenyl Ring Substitution
Alcohols, ethers carboxylic,

1097.53

C-O

acids & esters


Alcohols, ethers carboxylic,

1271.13

C-O

acids & esters


Alcohols, ethers carboxylic,

9
10
11
12
13

1373.36
1456.3
1604.83
1645.33
1703.2

CH3
C-N
C=C
C=C
C=O

acids & esters


Isopropyl. t-butyl
Amines
Aromatic ring
Alkenes
carboxylic, acids &

14

2185.42

-N=C=O,

Derivatives
Isocyanates,diimides &

-N=C=N,

ketones

15
16
17
18

2322.37
2673.43
2729.37
2856.67

C=C=O
C=N
C=O
C-H
Carboxylic

Nitrile
Aldehydes & Ketone
Aldehydes & Ketone
Any

19

2920.32

acid
Carboxylic

Any

20

3070.78

acid
Aromatic Ring

Any

21

3634.37

O-H

Monomeric Alcohols &

22

3691.88

O-H

phenols
H-Bonded Alcohol& Phenol

FT-IR RESULTS FOR MIX PLASTIC WASTE (Polyolefins residue)


Graph12:Result of second batchs residue obtained at 4500c

C.O.E.T.A/Chemical/2012
Page 104

20

530.44
470.65

719.47

875.71
804.34

1097.53

2920.32
2850.88

30

1371.43

1599.04

40

1460.16

1261.49

50

1024.24

1795.79

3695.73
3618.58

60

2515.26

80
%T
70

2359.02

PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

10
0
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500
Solid
1/cm

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Table23:Reference table for FTIR peak values


Table32:RESULT:The peak values in above graph shows following compounds
C.O.E.T.A/Chemical/2012
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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Sr. No.

Peak Value

Type Of Bond

Types Of Compound

470.65

Iodoalkanes

Metasubstituted

530.44

Phenol Ring

Any

719.47

Aromatic

Monosubstituted
Benzene

804.34

Phenyl Ring

Metasubstituted Benzene

875.71

C-H

Phenyl Ring

1024.24

C-N

Amines

1097.53

C-N

Amines

1261.49

C-O

Alcohols,

ethers

carboxylic acids & esters


9

1371.43

CH3

Isopropyl. t-butyl

10

1460.16

C-N

Amines

11

1599.04

C-H

Aromatic bonding

12

1795.79

C=O

carboxylic, acids

13

2359.02

C=N

Nitrile

14

2515.26

C=O

Saturated ketone

15

2850.88

C=O

carboxylic acids &


derivatives

16

2920.32

C=O

carboxylic acids &


derivatives

17

3618.58

O-H

Monomeric Alcohols &


phenols

18

3695.73

O-H

H -bonded Alcohols &


phenols

The residue obtained at 6000c is in coal form so we cannot do the FT-IR test of
residues of all three wastes obtained at 6000c.

6.4. CALORIFIC VALUE


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The calorific value of a fuel is the quantity of heat produced by its


combustion at constant pressure and under "normal" conditions. The combustion
process generates water vapor and certain techniques may be used to recover the
quantity of heat contained in this water vapor by condensing it.
The Higher Calorific Value (or Gross Calorific Value - GCV) suppose that
the water of combustion is entirely condensed and that the heat contained in the
water vapor is recovered. The Lower Calorific Value (or Net Calorific Value NCV) suppose that the products of combustion contains the water vapor and that
the heat in the water vapor is not recovered.
The calorific value is a characteristic for each substance. It is measured in
units of energy per unit of the substance, usually mass, such as: kcal/kg, kJ/kg,
J/mol, Btu/m.Heating value is commonly determined by use of a bomb
calorimeter.
We carried out colorific value test at VNIT, Nagpur.

Fig7:CALORIMETER

CALORIFIC VALUE OF DIFFERENT PETROLEUM PRODUCTS


Table33:Calorific value of Different Fuels
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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Fuels
1.Commercial fuels
Coal
Hard coal
Lignite beown coal
2.Petroleum products
Diesel
Gasoline/naptha
Kerosene
Jet fuel
Fuel oil
Natural gas
3.Biomass
Agricultural residues
Paddy straw
Rice husk
Mango leaves
Groundnut
Sugarcane
Wheaat straw
Cotton stalks
Maize stalks
Maize cobs
Bajra stalks
Gram straw
Masoor straw
Moong straw

Values(Kcal/gm)

5000
2310
6900
10800
10500
10300
10400
9600
8000 - 9480

3000
3040
3390
4200
3800
3800
4700
3500
3850
3950
3810
3980

4.Forestry residues
Wood wastes
Bark

2500 - 3850
2500 - 2850

5.Animal wastes
Cowdung
Cowdung cake

3290
3140

Table 34: Results for calorific value of product obtained at 450 0c.

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Sr. No.

Name of Product
(crude form)

Calorific Value
(Kcal/gm)

Polystyrene

16473.9

Polyolefines

17682.8

High density polyethylene

19377.2

From above tables we compare the different calorific values of standard fuel
product with our product. So we can say that our product values come near to
the petroleum product i.e. diesel.

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

6 OTHER STUDY TEST


1. Pour Point & Cloud Point
The Pour point is defined as the temperature 5 0F(2.8 0c) higher than that
at which the oil ceases to flow when cooled & tested according to prescribed
condition.
The cloud point is defined as the temperature at which oil becomes cloudy
when it is cooled in a specific manner.
Test
Pour point

Special Grade
6

Grade -A
6

Grade B
12

Table35:Pour point
2. Smoke Point
Smoke Point is the maximum flame height in millimeters to which a diesel
will burn without smoking in a standard apparatus.
Test
Smoke point

Superior Grade
20

Inferior Grade
12

Table36:Smoke point
3. Aniline Point
It is defined as the temperature at which a liquid just becomes
completely miscible with an equal volume of aniline. Aniline is a organic
compound. The molecular formula is (C6H5N2).Aniline point of diesel is 600c.
Cetane Number

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

The ignition quality of diesel fuel is measured in a standard engine by


matching against blend of two reference fuels & expressed in terms of cetane
number. Cetane number of diesel is about 40 to 50.
4. Octane Number
The anti-knock quality of a fuel is measured in a standard engine in
terms of relative performance of two standard fuels & then expressed as its
octane number.

Chapter7
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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Cost Estimation
The primary intention to demonstrate is that waste plastics has great potentials for
resource such as fuel production. Such kind of project will first focus on technical,
environmental and social viability with its financial returns as the least priority.
From below table the operating costs involves feedstock cost, electricity cost, fixed
cost (auxiliary equipments).Feedstock is the waste plastic and which has a variable
cost and is very cheap among all other. Fixed cost involves the cost of reactor, muffle
furnace, cooling system and condensing system which is a one time investment cost.
The output will depend totally on the input. And in this case the input is waste plastic
which is available at 9-10 rupees per kg. And from 1 kg of waste plastic we can obtain
approximately 900ml of liquid fuel considering negligible losses. So considering the
addition of all other financial aspects we can approximately say that plastic fuel will
be around 25-30 rupees per liter. And the fuel available in market is 50 rupees per liter.
From this comparison it is observed that financially pyrolysis of waste plastic is cost
effective. Which will not only minimize the plastic waste problem but will also help to
save our depriving natural resources of petroleum.Table37:
Sr.No Particulars
1
Fixed cost(setup)
2
Operating
3
4

Cost(electricity)
Feedstock(Waste Plastic)
Coolant(ice)
Total

Quantity
1
3unit

Amount(Rs)
One time investment(45-50000)
15/-

1kg
0.5kg

6/4/25/-

Chapter 8
Result and Discussion
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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Pyrolysis is feasible in laboratory if temperature conditions and leakage is


control. The temperature requirement of three different plastic wastes are shown
in below table38,
Material

Temperature
(oc)

Polystyrene waste

250

High Density Polyethylene waste

220

Olefinic waste

240

Through experimental study we calculated that thermal pyrolysis has high


efficiency and minimum losses. As the range of temperature varies at wide range
FT-IR study shows wide range of product distribution. Through that we could
conclude that to obtain narrower range of hydrocarbon we need to keep our
temperature range narrower. Most important conclusion is made by observing
flash point data, fire point data, density and calorific value data.

Table 39: Comparative result of all test products obtained at 600 0c

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Sr.No

Material
Tests

PS

HDPE

POLY
OLEFINES

Diesel

Flash point

55

69

40

>62

Fire point

60

81

56

>81

Density
(g/cm3)

0.8894

0.6251

0.4701

0.823

FTIR

Aromatic
compounds,
alkane,
unhydride,
ketone, esters,
aldehyde, amide

75%
saturated
hydrocarbons
(primarily
paraffins
including n, iso,
and
cycloparaffins),
and 25% aromatic
hydrocarbons
(including
naphthalenes and
alkylbenzenes)

Alkenes,
aromatic
ring,
nitriles,
alcohole,et
her,Metasu
bstituted
Benzene

-----

Table40:Comparative result of all test products obtained at 450 0c

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

Sr.No

Material
Tests

PS

HDPE

Flash point

53

Fire point

Density
(g/cm3)

FTIR

Diesel

72

POLY
OLEFINE
S
42

62

84

58

>81

0.8794

0.6713

0.4711

0.843

Monosubst
ituted
Benzene,
Alkynes,
Phenyl
Ring
Substitutio
n Bands,
Aromatic
ring,
Alcohols,
ether,
carboxylic
acids
&
esters

Monosubstit
uted
Benzene,
Alcohols,
ether,
carboxylic
acids
&
esters,
Alkane,
Aldehydes,
Ketonecarbo
xylic acids &
esters

Alcohols,
ethers
carboxylic,
acids & esters,
carboxylic,
acids
&
Derivatives,
Nitrile

75% saturated
hydrocarbons
(primarily
paraffins
including n, iso,
and
cycloparaffins),
and
25%
aromatic
hydrocarbons
(including
naphthalenes
and
alkylbenzenes)

19377.2

17682.8

10800

Calorific value 16473.9


(Kcal/g)

>61

In case of polystyrene pyrolysis at 450C alkenes,acyl halidesalkanesand aromatic


rings are found more while at 600C monosubstituted benzene,alcohols,ethers,amines
are found more in number with other compounds.Also it is obserced that with increase
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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

in the residence time the liquid quantity obtained also increases.From both the studies
that is studies at two different temperature it is observed that the optimum temperature
required for the pyrolysis of polystyrene is 250C.
In case of olefins pyrolysis favors mostly the formation of paraffins.It is also seen
thar conversion increases with temperature resulting in decrease of aliphatic
content.And also the conversion increases with the increase in residence time.In
general the decomposition of polyolefin mixtures occurs roghly in the same range as
their virgin counterparts240C.However waste polyolefins may degrade at slightly
lower temperatures and achieve higher conversion rates.
In case of HDPE waste pyrolysisat 450C monosubstitued benzene,monosubstituted
alkenes,amines and carboxylic acid are found more with oter compounds while at
600C amines.monomeric alcohols,hydrogen bonded alcohols and ester groups are
found more with other compound.The optimum temperature at which the pyrolysis of
waste HDPE should be carried out is observed to be220C.
And after comparing the results of all the wastes with the standard table, properties or
results obtained from pyrolysis of HDPE waste are more likely matches with
properties of diesel.
By comparative study at two different temperature we can say that at 450C we get
higher volatile product and at 600C we get lower volatile product. By comparative
study of results of flash point, fire point, density, FT-IR and calorific value we are
concluding that this process yielding fuel near to diesel or just belonging to diesel
group.
THERMAL PYROLYSIS is most suitable technique to process plastic
waste.

ADVANTAGES OF PYROLYSIS
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Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and waste going to landfill.


Produces a marketable product.
Low risk of water pollution.
Low risk of odours.
High recovery rate of resources.
Minimal risk of health consequences.
Commercially proven technology.
Controllable.
Low operating cost: very robust equipment and low power consumption.

Limitation and Drawbacks


In case of olefins The major drawback of this process is that it has limitation for few
materials. Any plastic waste especially material having heteroatom (chlorine, sulphur)
can not process through this technique. Still its utility is not limited because
composition of plastic waste contains large amount of oligomers for which this
technique is most suitable. Pyrolysis is not effective in either destroying or physically
separating inorganic from the contaminated medium.volatile metals may be removed
as a result of the higher temperatures associated with the process, but they are not
destroyed.

9. Conclusion
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Thermal pyrolysis is environmentally attractive process. Neither has it


created land pollution nor air pollution. As per the theoretical data given plant
utilizing 20000 kgs of waste gives 19000 liters of liquid product it shows process
is highly efficient. As the age moving forward world is focusing conservation of
energy and resources as well as faster rate of development.
Pyrolysis is one of the techniques of recycling which just not utilizes
plastic waste but also transform into most valuable product. It uses total potential
of plastic waste and transforms it into fuel. Recycling of plastic waste through this
technique solves the problem of resources conservation as well as energy
conservation.
By studying its utility and efficiency with minimum cost we could say that
thermal pyrolysis will become widely accepted technique for recycling of plastic
waste.
For the exact verification of our product some other test are necessary to
perform such as octane number or cetane number discuss above.

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REFERENCES
Books:
1. Mark, Bikales, Birger and Menges, Encyclopedia of polymesr science and
Engineering, volume 8, second edition, John Wiley and Sons publication, pg.no. 3999 & volume 7, second edition,p.g.no.156.
2. Dr. R. Chandra, Mr. A. Adab , Rubber & Plastic Waste CBS Publishers &
Distributors, Chapter 2&3, Page No.52-78.
3. J. A.Brydson, Plastic Material , second edition ,butter worth group, chapter 11, page
no.247 to 273.
4. B. K. Rao,A Textbook of Petrochemical Technology, first edition,page no 135-149
5. Project report on pyrolysis guided by Prof.N.R.Bhalerao, batch 2009-2010.

PAPERS:
1. Turning mixed plastic wastes into a useable liquid fuel S.L. Low, M.A. Connor and
G.H. Covey Department of Chemical Engineering University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia.
2. Converting Waste Plastics into a Resource Compendium of Technologies Compiled
by United Nations Environmental Programme Division of Technology, Industry and
Economics International Environmental Technology Centre Osaka/Shiga, Japan.
3. Thermolysis of waste plastics to liquid fuel A suitable method for plastic waste
management and production of value added productsA world prospective Achyut
K. Panda a,b,*, R.K. Singh a,1, D.K. Mishra b,2 a Department of Chemical
Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Orissa, India b Jagannath
Institute for Technology and Management, Parlakhemundi, 67 Suryanagar,
Bhubaneswar 751003, Orissa, India.
4. EnvoSmart Technologies overview waste plastic to diesel fuel
innovative environment technology.

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PYROLYSIS (A way to utilize plastic waste)2

5. Recycling techniques of polyolefins from plastic wastes by D.S. ACHILIAS, .


ANTONAKOU,C.ROUPAKIAS,P.MEGALOKONOMOS,A.LAPPAS,

Laboratory

of Organic Chemical Technology Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of


Thessaloniki GR 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece ,Laboratory of Environmental Fuels
and Hydrocarbons, CPERI GR 570 01 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece.
6. Municipal Solid Waste Management in Asia: A Comparative Analysis C. Visvanathan
and J. Trankler Environmental Engineering & Management, School of Environment,
Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 4, Klong
Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.
7. ZadgaonkarsEco-friendly, Plastic Fuel Conversion of Waste Plastic into

Liquid

Hydrocarbons / Energy, A major breakthrough in the arena Of Non-conventional


sources of energy, Information Brochure And Technical Write-Up by Prof. Mrs. Alka
Zadgaonkar Asst. Professor & Head, Dept. of Applied Chemistry, G. H. Raisoni
College of Engineering, Nagpur.
8. PLASTIC WASTE STREAM By Melanie Smith.
9. Kinetics of the Low-Temperature Pyrolysis of Polyethene, Polypropene, and
Polystyrene Modeling, Experimental Determination, and Comparison with Literature
Models and Data R. W. J. Westerhout, J. Waanders, J. A. M. Kuipers,* and W. P. M.
van Swaaij Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Reaction Engineering Group,
University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
10. Jen Kovcs, What is Biomass Pyrolysis? Consumer energy information. Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network. U.S.
11. JOURNAL DE PHYSIQUE IV Colloque C7, supplkment au Journal de Physique 111,
Volume 3, novembre 1993 Recycling of polymers by pyrolysis W. KAMINSKY
Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Hamburg,
Bundesstrasse 45, 2000 Hamburg 13, Germany.
12. PLASTICS PYROLYSIS AND COAL COPROCESSLNG WITH WASTE PLASTICS
M. S. Mulgaonkar, C. H. Kuo, A. R. TarrerChemical Engg Dept Auburn University
Auburn. Al-36849
13. Pyrolysis: A method for Mixed Polymer Recycling by Matthew Johnson, Sean
Derrick, Green Manufacturing Initiative.

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WEBSITES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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7.
8.
9.

www.envis.com
www.ekosvest.com
www.enviroliteracy.com
www.thermo.com
www.motherearthnews.com
www.biodiesel.org
www.greenstudentu.com/encyclopedia/recycling/plastic.
www.hubbertpeak.com/Hubbert/1956/1956.pdf.
www.wcaslab.com/tech/tbftir.htm.

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