Gasification of medical plastic waste into hydrogen: Energy potential, environmental benefits and economic feasibility

Abstract

There has been a surge in plastic waste generation during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the rise in home food deliveries and groceries during lockdowns worldwide. During the pandemic, the increased uncontrolled plastic waste generation moves through sewage into water bodies, causing severe environmental problems in Africa. This calls for a sustainable plastic waste management strategy to combat these negative ecological consequences. Gasification is suitable for valorizing plastic waste into hydrogen for cleaner energy production. This study analyzes the power generation potential, ecological benefits, and economic feasibility of hydrogen from mixed daily COVID-19 plastic wastes in 57 African countries using the plasma gasification process. The key findings show that a total of 218.2 M kg/d of hydrogen gas, with an electricity generation potential of 10.35 M kWh/d, could be benefited from the project across Africa. The electricity consumption from the project could displace 48.04 M L/d of diesel fuel combustion for power generation. The total quantity of diesel fuel displaced daily can reduce global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions by 1.103 M kg CO2eq/d. The economic feasibility result showed that the project had a positive net present value (ranging from US$0.01478 M to US$30.95 M) in all African nations, with an average levelized cost of energy of US$0.4052/kWh and a 17.56% return on investment. Sensitivity analysis, practical implications, limitations, and future perspectives are discussed in detail. The outcomes of this study provide empirical recommendations for plastic waste treatment and disposal in Africa and other developing nations during the COVID-19 epidemic.