Abstract
The paper focuses on current mechanical waste processing technologies and out-of-the-box processes linked to the processing of coal and mineral resources, to ensure high-quality feedstock recycling of polyolefin-rich post-consumer plastic fractions. Moreover, the study aims to provide the basis for the technical and economic feasibility of the chemical recycling route of this plastic fraction. When evaluating common mechanical processes, either dry or wet ones, sink–float separation in a cylindrical centrifugal force separator achieves the best results. It combines the advantages of a simple, robust apparatus of low complexity and high capacity with selective separation through the accelerated settling of particles in the centrifugal field. Furthermore, the disconnection of the separation medium feed from the solid input increases residence times. Based on the above findings, a pilot-scale plant was constructed which consists of a centrifugal force separator and a hydro jig for the pre-separation of heavy waste components. Several test campaigns were conducted to separate polyolefins from various waste fractions. Two-stage processing in the centrifugal force separator rendered almost 90 wt% of polyolefin content in the produced lightweight fraction and of polyolefin recovery. One-stage processing, on the other hand, resulted in reduced polyolefin content in the lightweight fraction.
Highlights
According to the report by “Plastics Europe 2016”, about 4–6 wt% of the global petroleum production was processed into 322 million tons of polymer products in 2015 [20]. 49 million tons were intended for Europe (28 EU member states plus Norway and Switzerland)
This paper aims to demonstrate whether a high-quality PO fraction (PO-content > 90 wt%) can be separated from diverse PCP containing waste fractions of various initial PO contents (~ 10, ~ 30 and ~ 50 wt%) by density when applying a jig for heavy material (> 2000 kg/m3, kilogram per cubic meter) pre-separation and a sink–float process in a centrifugal force separator
We may state that the effects of each of the three parameters are significant on the 0.01 level; considering their combinations, only that of the relationship between length and inclination is of higher relevance
Summary
According to the report by “Plastics Europe 2016”, about 4–6 wt% (weight percentage) of the global petroleum production was processed into 322 million tons of polymer products in 2015 [20]. 49 million tons were intended for Europe (28 EU member states plus Norway and Switzerland). 3. Material recycling with the main goal of reutilising the material by polymer type, including treatment steps for cleaning, sorting, and granulating. According to a proposed European Union directive on Circular Economy, in 2015, the Commission published the first version of the Circular Economy Action Plan, which set the ambitious target of treating waste as a resource. This means that resources should be managed sustainably and not be wasted. The key objective of this directive is to transform the linear European economy into a circular economy which includes favouring waste recycling over incineration and landfilling. The following objectives of the action plan are relevant to plastic recycling [5]:
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