Plastic pyrolysis − chemists explain a technique attempting to tackle plastic waste by bringing the heat

In 1950, global plastic production was about 2 million tons. It is now about 400 million tons With an increase of approximately 20,000 %.

As materials, it seems to have no limits. Plastic is not expensive to produce it while it is lightweight and strong. Its applications range from food and beverages to clothes and health care.

When the plastic element ends its productive life, it may take a very long time to decompose 500 years old In some cases. Until then, the plastic pieces do not disappear completely – instead, they are divided into smaller and smaller pieces, and eventually became of small pollution This ends in The soil in which we develop the food and water that we drink and the air we breathe.

Research has linked these fine plastic Health issues Such as diabetes, heart disease and low male fertility.

For years, local governments and manufacturers have relied on recycling as an answer to prevent plastic waste from accumulation. However, despite their efforts to sort and separate materials that can be recycled, most plastic materials still end in waste burials – or what is worse, In green spaces and waterways.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, The total recycling rate of plastic is 8.7 %. About a third of the milk and plastic bottles are recycled – at a higher rate of other types of plastic.

Since plastic is commonly used, finding new ways to manage and recycle plastic waste has become more important than ever. Plastic waste degeneration It is one of the technology that can help address this problem.

This is a relatively new technology, so researchers still have a limited knowledge of the process of infloring. As an analytical chemistsWe are striving to understand the composition of complex mixtures, especially new creations from sources such as the pyramid of plastic waste.

What is plastic induction?

Plastic induction It is a chemical process that includes the smashing of chemical plastic materials into other particles by heating the plastic materials into very high temperatures in the absence of oxygen.

Unlike traditional plastic recycling, Theoretically unlimited theoretical decay For specific types of plastic. It can be made to accommodate many of them, although current technology is limited to few types – polyethylene and polypropylene, used in food and bottles containers – on an industrial scale.

Therefore, plastic induction can help in dealing with waste of consumer products such as plastic bags, bottles, milk jugs, packaging materials, wet wipes and even neglected children’s toys. Perfume degeneration can also Dealing with more complex plastic waste Such as neglected tires and electronics, although solid and breastfeeding waste processors avoid some types of plastic in thermometer, such as polyvin – or PVC, which are found in tubes and roofing products – and polystyrene, used in the package, such as packing, such as packing, such as packing. These can create harmful secondary products.

During the infinite dissolution, plastic polymers are divided into smaller molecules, which leads to liquid oil production and fuel source gases such as MethaneAnd Cherry.

Char is the remaining solid residue at the end of the processing process. It can be used As carbon rich materials For different applications, including adding them to the soil to make it healthier for cultivation, because it increases the moisture of the soil and the pH, and benefits from absorbing nutrients. Cha also the ability to It absorbs harmful carbon gases from the airWhich can help prevent climate change.

The main negative side of Char is if it is used a lot. Excess alkaline soilWhich may hinder the growth of the plant.

How Harmel works

The plastic inauguration process usually includes several major steps.

In the first step of thermophageal decadence, each of the recycling of the community collects plastic waste and clean it to remove any pollutants. Then the plastic is torn into a smaller pieces to facilitate the process of infloring. Unlike traditional recycling, it needs The minimum is only for sorting.

Working reform stations feed 600 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit (315 to 871 ° C). Without oxygen, do not hunt plastic materials in the fire reactor and emit fumes in the air. Instead, this high temperature environment causes plastic polymers Division into smaller hydrocarbon molecules. These smaller molecules can be improved.

High temperature turns some molecules into fumes, which condense into liquid oil. Chemical companies can improve this oil for use as fuel or as raw materials for making chemicals or other plastic.

In addition to liquid oil, the process of infloring the natural gases generate, such as methane, ethane, butane and pepper. Then the pyrolysis operators pick up these gases, and sometimes they can use them as an energy source Run Or other industrial processes.

Benefits of pyrolysis

When doing it effectively, plastic inhalation provides many benefits.

By expanding the recycling scope to only beyond plastic bottles and milk jugs, the heat decay can reduce the amount of plastic waste contamination that ends in waste burials and oceans.

In addition, converting plastic waste into usable products can help Reducing the demand for production For the new plastic of petroleum hydrocarbons. Secondary products can be used in recycled plastic.

Some researchers also test the inmate oils to see if they can use them instead of gasoline to Fuel. The resulting gases during the intuition can generate the energy that nourishes the reactor of the replacement, which makes the process more self -sustainable and reduce the need for external energy sources.

Currently, about 15 % to 20 % of the replacement products are recycled in the new propylene and ethylene, While most – about 80 % to 85 % Diesel, hydrogen, methane and other chemicals.

While plastic infection carries some promise, it also faces challenges. Cost Preparing and operating the high informed replacement plants. The profitable of the process depends on the availability of appropriate plastic waste, demand in the market on the oils and gases produced, energy costs and employees needed to operate the reactor.

Another issue is quality control. Most types of plastics can be subject to the heat decay, but the various plastic materials create oils with different chemical makeup. Scientists will need to understand the composition of these oils before the industry defines the plastic species that must be focused on and how every oil can create new materials.

Researchers like us at the University of Texas at Arlington and our international colleagues are studying new chromaticism Oil separation techniques It can be successfully determined by some types of atrocities. Crocomography is The process of separating the components in the mixture By passing it through a solid material.

Different ingredients in the mixture are attracted to this article in different degrees. Therefore, they come out of the color system at different times, which separates them from each other.

With further research on technology efficiency and technological progress to expand the scope of replacement, this technology can be part of a sustainable solution to plastic waste management. Meanwhile, the heat decay is now used, with One estimate The market forced decline stations at $ 40 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $ 1.2 billion by 2033.

This article has been republished from ConversationAn independent, non -profit news organization brings you facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. Written by: Kevin aand Texas University in Arlington and Alexander Caplitzand Texas University in Arlington

Read more:

Kevin A. Schug receives funding from the National Science Corporation, National Health Institutes, Exxonmobil, and Weaver Consultans Group. It is linked to Vuv Analytics, Inc. And Infinity Water Solutions as a member of its scientific advisory councils. Lummus Technology, LLC has provided funding for research oils for PVCs at UT Arlington.

Alexander Kaplitz does not work with shares or consult them in or receive funding from any company or institution that will benefit from this article, and has not revealed any related affiliations that exceed its academic appointment.