Replacing conventional fuels in USA, Europe, and UK with plastic pyrolysis gases - Part I: Experiments and graphical interchangeability methods

Abstract

The development of effective recycling methods for plastic wastes is critical in terms of resource security and environmental conservation. In this work, we focused on the gaseous pyrolysis products of plastic wastes as alternatives to natural gas (NG) and propane. The pyrolysis of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and their mixtures was carried out under isothermal conditions at 500, 700, and 900 C. The potential for replacing NG and propane with the pyrolysis gases was assessed by graphical interchangeability methods for the first time. The pyrolysis gas compositions obtained from the mixed plastics and HCl-scrubbed gas from the PVC were deemed suitable NG alternatives in Europe and the USA. In addition, PE and PP pyrolysis gases showed the potential for replacing propane in the USA, whereas gases from PET showed the least interchangeability. Thus, the graphical interchangeability methods are promising for evaluating the potential of plastic waste pyrolysis gases as alternatives to NG.