Effectiveness of activated zeolite adsorber in decreased soot emission and increased oxygen concentration from combustion smokes of polyvinyl chloride plastic

Abstract

Polyvinyl Chloride plastic waste is becoming an increasingly urgent global environmental issue. Combustion PVC plastic waste can have significant negative impacts on human health. To overcome these problems, this research was conducted by utilizing zeolite as an adsorbent for PVC combustion smokes. The research methodology is zeolite activation, adsorber design and gas adsorption process through dry adsorption method which is the core of this research. This study will evaluate oxygen concentration and soot emissions. Before being given a zeolite adsorbent, the oxygen concentration produced in PVC combustion smokes was only 17.2% with high soot levels as evidenced by the blackened smoke color. Furthermore, after being given an adsorbent in the form of activated zeolite as much as 283.5 grams, the oxygen concentration produced increased significantly to 20.9% followed by a decrease in soot emission levels as evidenced by changes in the color of whitened smoke. Based on the test results related to the increase in oxygen concentration and the decrease in soot emission levels, it can be concluded that activated zeolite has a high effectiveness in carrying out the PVC combustion smoke adsorption process by producing particles of carbon and oxygen within the normal threshold in the air.