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Ponte Academic Journal
Apr 2019, Volume 75, Issue 4

DESIGN AND UTILIZATION OF A PYROLYSIS UNIT TO CONVERT PLASTIC WASTE INTO FUELS (BISHA-KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA - AS A CASE STUDY)

Author(s): Elfaki Elkhawad Ali ,Seedahmed A. I, Abuhasil K. A, Abdallah K. A

J. Ponte - Apr 2019 - Volume 75 - Issue 4
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2019.4.11



Abstract:
Plastics have merged their way into our regular lives and now pretense a great threat to the environment, the global plastic production increased over years due to the vast applications of plastics in many sectors. In Saudi Arabia, the situation is similar. Conversion of plastic waste into oil fuel is become an important method for the removal of waste from environment as well as energy recovery. This study aimed to propose a conversion scenario of plastic waste into fuels and other useful products. A pyrolysis reaction unit was designed from three main parts viz. Reactor, Condenser and collector. Different types of plastic waste (LDPE, HDPE, mixed waste) were collected from different locations in Bisha Province and prepared for the reaction by shredding. Samples were mounted in the reactor and reaction was allowed to commence at 300 0C for 1 hour or after no more gases were evolved from the reaction. The collected oil volume was measured and then samples were analyzed using FTIR for characterization of the oil product chemical composition. Then physical tests: density, flash point, viscosity and calorific values were determined for each sample and results compared with conventional fuels properties. In conclusion, the properties of the pyrolysis-derived fuels from plastics were found to be similar to conventional fuels (energy content, viscosity, density, octane and cetane number, flash-point, etc.) and this conform with what expected to be and results of many researchers. It is suggested that efforts should be made to increase recycling of plastics to insure environmental and energy supply alternatives.
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