Plastic Waste Gasification

Abstract

Thermochemical processes are used to manage non-recyclable plastic waste. Direct combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification are the three major thermochemical conversion processes of plastic waste. As a result of gasification, carbonaceous solids are heated to 700 to 1200 °C in a low oxygen environment in order to produce synthesis gas. The gas produced during the process of synthesis is composed of flammable gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and smaller hydrocarbon molecules. The gasification process can be used to produce electricity, make transportation fuels such as diesel and ethanol, or create chemicals for use in industry. The gasification conversion process can be classified into four main processes: drying, pyrolysis, oxidation, and reduction. There are different types of gasification reactors suitable for different types of feeds, so they can adapt to each feed's unique characteristics. Gasification reactors are classified into five main categories including up-draft, down-draft, cross-draft, fluidized bed, and entrained bed from the point of view of the configuration.