Design, Fabrication and Operational Evaluation of a Co-Pyrolysis System for Waste-Plastics Derived Fuels: A Study of Edo North

Abstract

This research work designed, developed and assessed the performance of a co-pyrolysis system generating waste-plastic extract fuels from mixed Municipal Waste Plastics (MWP) while evaluating High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene (PS) as the main municipal waste plastic sources. The materials selected for the reactor were carefully studied to meet the pyrolysis system's strength, operability and safety requirements. The equipment was put through its paces in three trials, using 2kg of mixed municipal waste plastics each. The temperature was optimally constant at 450°C for three hours. The equipment had a functional conversion efficiency (wt %) of 73.17%, a waste reduction efficiency (wt %) of 86.3% and oil recovery of 0.90L oil/kg MWP, according to the test results. As a result of its re-cracking process, which recycles heavy molecular weight compounds back into the reactor, this reactor was built in such a manner that only compounds in the carbon range of C1 20 may be created. This process was discovered to have a major impact on the product's distribution. Plastic fuels generated from co-mingled municipal waste plastics had similar characteristics with diesel and based on the characterization and comparative research done in this study.