Combustible gases from thermal plasma treatment of plastic waste with special reference to mobile phone waste

Abstract

Recently disposal and recycle of mobile phone becomes a significant problem throughout the world. Primordial recycling or disposal of mobile phone waste to landfills and incinerators causes irreversible environmental damage by polluting water and soil, and contaminating air. The disposal of mobile phones thus requires to be considered in an effective, economical and environmental friendly way. The present work describes the treatment of mobile phone waste by thermal plasma under reducing condition. Combustible reformed gas (CO, H2 and hydrocarbons) having high calorific value was recovered. Generation of hydrogen gas and hydrocarbons are from the plastic part (whose major elements are carbon and hydrogen with some trace elements like oxygen and nitrogen) of the mobile phone waste. CO2 generation is almost below the detection limit. No significant other toxic gases such as NOx and H2S were observed. For better understanding of treatment under reduced condition, experiments have also been done under argon-air gas mixture condition without mobile phone waste. The present investigation provides an option for energy recovery with volume reduction, reduction of toxic gases and potential recovery of precious metals present in the mobile phone waste.