Study on Conversion Techniques of Alternative Fuels from Waste Plastics

Abstract

Plastic is one of the most useful, durable, cheap and ubiquitous materials known to human. It permeates every sphere of human life. Most of the developing countries are consuming more and more plastic goods due to modern urbanization and revenue upgrades. Plastic wastes are increasing day by day due to alternate production patterns and consumptions. Today plastic materials are produced twenty times more than fifty years ago. The most commonly used available methods for municipal waste in most of the countries is the dumping of waste plastic in open areas and landfills; which leads to an environmental threat. This study focused on the conversion techniques of alternative fuels from waste plastic materials. Conversion of plastic wastes can be regarded as a milestone of zero waste technology around the world. End use of plastic may be as a cheap source of energy. There are two approaches have been widely applied mechanical and chemical recycling. Altering of plastic wastes into energy resources approaches are pyrolysis with or without catalyst, gasification, and liquefaction. This paper also relates to another approach in conversion of plastic waste materials and by products like RDF (Refuse derived fuel) and RPF (Refused paper plastic fuel). These may be the next generation energy resources from waste plastic and municipal wastes.