Low Density Polyethylene Plastic Research Articles

Determinação do ponto de colheita de pimentas ‘Murupi’ acondicionadas em embalagens plásticas e armazenamento refrigerado

ABSTRACT Peppers of the genus Capsicum are rich in antioxidants and considered to be an excellent source of compounds, which can bring benefits for human health, such as vitamin C and phenolic compounds. These compounds are influenced by the ripening stage of the fruits. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the ideal harvest point for ‘Murupi’ pepper fruits, targeting the consumer market, based on physical, chemical, and functional attributes. These attributes were evaluated during postharvest, being the fruits packed in low density polyethylene plastic film (LDPE) and submitted to cold storage (25±1°C and 95±3% U.R.) for 20 days. The treatments consisted of three different fruit maturation stages at harvest time (fruit peel color: green, partially red and totally red). The authors analyzed the vitamin C, total and soluble fibers, ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), total and reducing sugars, total phenolics, carotenoids, capsaicin and anthocyanins. The fruits harvested in immature stage (green) showed the highest values of vitamin C, total phenolics and, capsaicin contents, and also the highest averages of fruit antioxidant activity. The use of 0.10 mm-thick LDPE packages showed to be effective in delaying the maturation of pepper fruits in relation to sensory attributes, especially in terms of total fiber contents, being also observed, in this case, better maintenance of vitamin C and capsaicin contents, phenolic compounds and the highest antioxidant activity.

Hydrocracking of LDPE Plastic Wastes into Liquid Fuel by Natural Zeolite Supported Nickel Metal

Hydrocracking of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic over an impregnated Ni catalyst on activated natural zeolite (Ni/ANZ) has been carefully investigated. Natural zeolite was firstly activated with HCl 6 M under reflux conditions followed by wet-impregnation with Ni salts. The obtained powder was calcined at 500 °C followed by a reduction with H2 at 500 °C. The resulting Ni/ANZ catalyst was characterized by using FTIR, SAA, and XRD. The hydrocracking of LDPE plastic was carried out in a semi-bath stainless steel reactor. The resulting liquid product was analyzed by GC-MS. This study found that the hydrocracking process was carried out effectively at 200 °C. The selectivity towards gasoline (C5-C12) at 200 °C could be boosted by employing the Ni/ANZ catalyst (68.23% yield) which is much higher than the uncatalyzed pyrolysis (37.87% ).

LIQUID FLUIDS FROM THERMO-CATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF WASTE LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE USING SPENT FCC CATALYST

ABSTRACT: The widely-used plastics, especially low-density polyethylene (LDPE), have resulted in a considerable accumulation of plastics in the waste stream, causing a global environmental problem. Therefore, the research aims to examine the thermal and catalytic degradation of waste LDPE plastic using spent fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst and compare the properties of the produced liquid oils with commercial fuels. The potential of converting the most energy from waste plastics to valuable liquid oil, gaseous, and char was investigated. A batch reactor was used to thermally and catalytically degrade LDPE at temperatures 350 to 550oC and catalyst to plastic ratio of 0.10 to 0.25. The physical properties of the produced liquid oils, flash point, pour point, viscosity, API-gravity, carbon residue, density, etc., were determined using standard methods. We characterized the chemical properties of produced pyrolysis liquid oils with Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The liquid oil, gas, and char produced at catalyst to plastic ratio of 0.20 at 500oC were 92.7 wt.%, 6.1 wt.%, and 1.2 wt.% respectively. The thermal pyrolysis at 500 oC gave 76.6 wt.%, 20.7 wt.%, and 2.7 wt.% for produced liquid oil, gas, and char, respectively. The GC-MS shows that the produced LDPE liquid oil contains many hydrocarbons from C7-C29. The major hydrocarbons common to LDPE are benzene, 1, 3 dimethyl benzene, and toluene. The produced liquid oil’s properties compare favorably with that of commercial fuels.

Laboratory investigation on the moisture susceptibility and fatigue resistance of hot mix asphalt modified with high- and low-density polyethylene plastic wastes

The demand for better management of plastic wastes all over the world is increasing. Polymers such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) are examples of these wastes. Studies showed that these could be used as polymer modifiers that could improve asphalt pavement performance. Although several studies had been conducted to evaluate the performance of asphalt mixtures with HDPE and LDPE, conflicting results had been seen. Additional research is still needed to find out the true effect of plastic on the performance of asphalt mixtures. Hence, this study assessed the performance of hot mix asphalt (HMA) modified with HDPE and LDPE pellets. The Marshall mix design was used to prepare, evaluate HMA mixtures and determine the optimum percentage of HDPE and LDPE that can be added to HMA. Moreover, wheel-tracking, and immersion-compression tests were used to evaluate rutting resistance and compressive strength of HMA mixtures, respectively. Results showed that the addition of 8% HDPE and 8% LDPE by weight of bitumen are the optimum contents. The performance of the HMA mixtures with HDPE and LDPE in terms of fatigue resistance and moisture susceptibility shows improved results. This proves the potential use of the materials as polymer modifiers in HMA. Moreover, HMA with HDPE when compared to the HMA with LDPE shows better results in reducing the moisture susceptibility and improving the fatigue resistance of HMA.

An investigation into the detection of latent fingermarks on eco-friendly soft plastics packaging

Eco-friendly materials can present a challenge to fingermark recovery due to the variety of physical and chemical properties. Currently, there are no recommended guidelines for the recovery of latent fingermarks from eco-friendly soft plastics packaging. This work presents Phase 2 research trials for the detection of latent fingermarks on 13 different types of eco-friendly soft plastics packaging. In addition, these Phase 2 trials investigated other variables such as different fingermark donors, depletion series, ageing periods and a number of enhancement techniques that were assessed individually and in sequence with each other.The detection of latent fingermarks varied across the different substrates tested in this study and there was no specific sequence that favoured all of them. Nonetheless, sequence A (cyanoacrylate fuming - fluorescent dye staining – vacuum metal deposition) provided the highest amount of identifiable fingermarks overall. This is also the recommended sequence in the Fingermark Visualisation Manual for soft plastic packaging such as high- and low-density polyethylene plastic bags. The use of powder suspensions was the least successful across all substrates. The use of water and solvents present in certain enhancement techniques resulted in a negative effect on the structure and texture of some substrates used in this study. Statistical analysis of mark gradings from developed marks highlighted significant differences across substrates, ageing periods, donors and enhancement sequences. This work demonstrates that the current sequence in the FVM for soft plastics packaging is a good starting point for the detection of latent fingermarks on eco-friendly soft plastics packaging.

Analysis of Plastic-Derived Fuel Oil Produced from High- and Low-Density Polyethylene

The exponential growth of waste plastic accumulation has had an irreversible and lasting impact on the world. An imminent threat to marine and terrestrial ecosystems of massive proportions, plastic waste accumulation is a global problem that will not only have to be tackled by current generations but for many generations to follow. The scale of current recycling technologies and efforts to reduce consumption by for-profit and non-profit institutions, governments, and consumers will need to be rapidly increased to combat the negative impacts plastic waste has had on the planet since its conception. This is especially the case in areas with limited infrastructure to properly collect, manage, and dispose of plastic waste. Solutions to plastic waste accumulation crisis that are appropriate for the developing world are urgently needed. Conversion of plastic waste to liquid fuel by slow pyrolysis is a technology that is particularly suitable for developing countries due to its ability to convert polyolefin waste plastic into a useful product, thus preventing its eventual accumulation in the ecosystem. However, in developing countries, conversion techniques that do not rely on sophisticated technologies are needed. Since processing time and operating temperature are the simplest variables to control, an analytical study has been conducted to assess how the molecular composition of plastic derived fuel oil (PDFO) is impacted by these parameters. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies of PDFO from high- and low-density polyethylene plastic waste produced using appropriate technology techniques are presented alongside a comparison with traditional diesel fuel and kerosene. This approach is novel in that it differs from previously conducted research, which has studied the use of catalysts, additives, or single operating temperatures to assess the composition of PDFO. Therefore, this research contribution presents a simplistic and inexpensive approach for tuning PDFO composition in appropriate technology settings.

Antibiofilm efficacy of Leuconostoc mesenteroides J.27-derived postbiotic and food-grade essential oils against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli alone and in combination, and their application as a green preservative in the seafood industry

Foodborne pathogen-mediated biofilms in food processing environments are severe threats to human lives. In the interest of human and environmental safety, natural substances with antimicrobial properties and generally regarded as safe (GRAS) status are the futuristic disinfectants of the food industry. In this study, the efficacy of bioactive, soluble products (metabolic by-products) from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and plant-derived essential oils (EO) were investigated as biocidal agents. The postbiotic produced by kimchi-derived Leuconostoc mesenteroides J.27 isolate was analyzed for its metabolic components to reveal its antimicrobial potential against three pathogenic microorganisms (Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli). Additionally, the efficacy of food-grade EO (eugenol and thymol, respectively) was also assessed in our study. Determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of postbiotic and EO against three tested pathogens revealed that the sub-MIC (0.5 MIC) of postbiotic and EO could efficiently inhibit the biofilm formation on both seafood (squid) and seafood-processing surfaces (rubber and low-density polyethylene plastic). Moreover, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis confirmed that the LAB J.27 isolate possesses bacteriocin- and enzyme-coding genes. The residual antibacterial activity of the produced postbiotic was maintained over a diverse pH range (pH 1–6) but was entirely abolished at neutral or higher pH values. However, the activity was unaffected by exposure to high temperatures (100 and 121 °C) and storage (30 days). Notably, the leakage of intracellular metabolites, damage to DNA, and the down-regulation of biofilm-associated gene expression in the pathogens increased significantly (p > 0.05) following the combination treatment of postbiotic with thymol compared to postbiotic with eugenol. Nonetheless, all in vitro results indicated the prospective use of combining Leu. mesenteroides J.27-derived postbiotic with both EO as a “green preservative” in the seafood industry to inhibit the formation of pathogenic microbial biofilms.

Mechanical Analysis of Laminated Structures Consisting of Denim Fabric and Recycled HDPE / LDPE Bottle Caps

Industrialization and the increase in population in the world have led to a great increase in the amount of solid waste. Plastic and textile wastes have an important share among the solid wastes, which include many different waste groups. While the increase in disposable products increases the amount of plastic waste, the understanding of fast fashion is among the most important reasons for the increase in textile waste. In this study, cotton based woven textile wastes (2nd quality denim fabric) are laminated with plastic packaging wastes (high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) water bottle caps) in various sequences and thickness, areal density and fiber weight ratio values of these structures are examined. In addition, the impact properties of the produced laminated composite structures are analyzed via drop-weight impact testing machine. The results show that the increase in the number of fabric layers contributes positively to the energy absorption rate thus the samples including two layers of fabrics and one layer of either LDPE or HDPE plastic sheet have the highest maximum loads and absorbed energy values. In addition, it is also seen that HDPE lamination results in higher absorbed energy values compared to LDPE lamination.

Mechanical impact evaluation of natural fibres with LDPE plastic composites: Waste management in perspective

There is increased enthusiasm towards the use of natural hair fibers for plastic reinforcement due to their toughness and light weight. In this research, low density polyethylene (LDPE) was reinforced using 0.25 ​M NaOH treated cow tail, human and sheep hair fibers at 2, 4, 6 and 8% concentration respectively prior to injection moulding. The average densities, diameters and lengths of hair fibres were assessed The results obtained from the analysis of reinforced LDPE composites indicated that cow tail hair gave the highest average density and diameter. Sheep hair had the highest length after grinding. The study also analyzed the ultimate tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus, elongation, impact and hardness test on the polymer and their composites as well as the morphology and statistical analysis of the composite. This study indicated that human hair LDPE composites achieved highest flexural strength, flexural modulus, ultimate tensile strength and tensile modulus at 8% fibre loading whereas elongation at break and hardness were at 4% fibre loading while impact strength was at 2%. The cow tail hair LDPE composite gave the best impact strength at 8% fibre loading and sheep hair at 6%. The SEM results showed no serious manufacturing defects on the composites. The analysis of variance indicated that only the means of the composites’ flexural properties were statistically significant. This study shows that short animal hair fibres could be effectively used to reinforced LDPE, and therefore suggest an alternative waste management strategy of these natural fibres that are currently viewed as environmental nuisance in the study area.

Biodegradation of low-density polyethylene plastics by fungi isolated from waste disposal site at district Peshawar, Pakistan

Plastics are resistant to microbial attack, which has become a major cause of environmental pollution. The current study aimed to identify the fungi, capable of the biodegradation of low-density polyethylene plastics from different waste disposal sites at Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 15 soil samples were collected from different waste disposable sites of Peshawar. From these samples, five fungal isolates Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus flavus, White rot, and Brown rot fungi were identified based on their colony morphology and microscopic examination. The biodegradation ability of these isolates against low-density polyethylene plastics was studied through the weight loss percentage method on 30 days of incubation. The weight loss percentage showed that Aspegillus Niger, Aspergillus flavus, Brown rot, and white rot fungi showed 22.9%, 16.1%, 18.4%, and 22.7% biodegradation, respectively. This study concluded that Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus flavus, White rot, and Brown rot fungi are capable to degrade polyethylene plastics.Low density polyethylene, Plastics, Fungi, Biodegradation

Biodegradation of LDPE plastic by local strain of Bacillus sp. isolated from dump soil of Pekanbaru, Indonesia

Abstract. Fibriarti BL, Feliatra, Amin B, Darwis. 2021. Biodegradation of LDPE plastic by local strain of Bacillus sp. isolated from Dump Soil Pekanbaru, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 5484-5490. Plastic is a compound resistant to degradation and takes tens to hundreds of years to decompose completely. The diversity of microbial metabolism allows microbes to degrade plastic and utilize it as a source of energy and carbon for growth. One type of plastic widely used in packaging is LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene). The purpose of this study was to test the ability of local isolates of Bacillus sp. strains BP4 and BP6 isolated from waste soil and to identify them at molecular level. In LDPE plastic degradation test, pieces of LDPE plastic were added as a carbon source to a mineral solution medium and incubated for 30 days on shaker incubator at 150 rpm. The percentage of plastic degradation was calculated by subtracting the percentage of the initial weight of the plastic with the final weight. The test results showed that two isolates i.e. BP4 and BP6 were able to degrade LDPE plastics with degradation percentages of 7.23 ± 0.64% and 8.19 ± 0.12%, respectively. Molecular identification results revealed that Bacillus sp. strain BP4 showed a similarity of 99.72% with Bacillus anthracis strain X11, while Bacillus sp. strain BP6 showed a similarity of 99.93% with Bacillus paramycoides strain 8929.

Marshall Characteristics of Porous Asphalt Containing Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Plastic Waste

Inundation due to heavy rain often disturbs traffic flow and porous pavement as a wearing course is one solution to overcome standing water. This asphalt mixture uses an open gradation which is dominated by coarse aggregate with an air cavity content ranging from 20% - 25%. In Indonesia, according to the Indonesian Solid Waste Association (2013), this type of plastic waste ranks second with 5.4 million tons per year and is ranked second in the world as a producer of marine plastic waste after China. This research tries to use plastic waste as an added material in the porous asphalt mixture where the gradation of porous asphalt refers to REAM Specifications, 2008. The type of plastic used is Low Density Polyethilene (LDPE). The levels of plastic waste used were 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% of the total weight of the mixture. Marshall and Cantabro characteristics tests were conducted to evaluate the resulting mixture. The results of this study indicate that the stability value meets the REAM specifications, namely 350 - 800 kg. Marshall test results with the use of LDPE plastic waste as an additive to the test object meet the characteristics of Marshall except for Marshall Quotient (MQ) and voids filled with bitumen (VFB).

Pengaruh Temperatur Pada Microwave Pirolisis Cangkang Kelapa Sawit dan Low Density Polyethylene Dengan Katalis Zeolite/Kalsium Oksida

In general, the use of oil palm parts can be utilized by industry, but it is different from oil palm shells which become waste. The high use of plastic is proportional to the waste generated. So far, both types of waste are problems that have not been resolved. The utilization of waste shell waste and low-density polyethylene using the pyrolysis method. Microwave technology has been widely used as a heat source in the pyrolysis process. The advantages of using microwaves in pyrolysis are fast and selective heating, efficient energy use, and control of pyrolysis products. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of Pyrolytic-oil from the pyrolysis of waste oil palm shells and Low-density polyethylene. The research was conducted using a microwave with temperature variations of 400oC, 450oC, 500oC, 550oC and 600oC. The composition of the main ingredients consisted of 75 grams of palm shells, 75 grams of low-density polyethylene plastic, 56.25 grams of a zeolite catalyst, 56.25 grams of calcium oxide and 131.25 grams of charcoal carbon absorber. The results showed the effect of temperature on pyrolytic-oil productivity; as the temperature increases, the product gas increases. The lowest density value at a temperature of 400oC is 966.8 Kg/m. The lowest viscosity at a temperature variation of 500oC is 2.1 Mpa.s. The highest acidity value is at a temperature of 550oC.

Microwave heating performances of low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic particles

Microwave heating performances of low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic particles as affected by microwave power (500, 700, and 900 W), feeding load (10, 20, and 30 g), and chamber volume (100, 150, and 200 ml) were investigated and detailed in this study. The results showed that the temperatures of LDPE plastic particles increased to 159.8, 259.1 and 314.4 oC during the sixty minutes for the 500, 700 and 900 W microwave powers, and the average heating rates were 2.34, 3.96 and 4.89 oC/min, respectively. The temperatures of LDPE plastic particles increased to 140.8, 278.7 and 314.4 oC for the 10, 20 and 30 g feeding loads, and the average heating rates were 2.03, 4.28 and 4.89 oC/min, respectively. The temperatures of LDPE plastic particles increased to 314.4, 238.9 and 184.8 oC for the 100, 150 and 200 ml chamber volumes, and the average heating rates were 4.89, 3.68 and 2.76 oC/min, respectively. Equations were proposed to estimate the temperatures, and the relative errors were mainly between − 18.04% and 9.10%.

DEGRADATION OF POLYETHYLENE PLASTIC WASTE BY INDIGENOUS MICROBIAL CONSORTIUM AND FUNGI

Aim: The aims of this research is to determine the ability of an indigenous microbial consortium to degrade Low Density Polyethylene plastics. The plastic was cut mechanically into 1 x 1 cm2 pieces because the smaller the size of the plastic, the larger the surface area. The samples are input in an Erlenmeyer flask containing indigenous microbial consortium and fungi (20% v/v) and Stone Mineral Salt solution media (80% v/v). This research lasted 10 days with a pH of 7 controlled and temperature variations of 25, 30, 35°C. As preliminary research, the sensitivity test seeks to demonstrate that the indigenous microbial consortium and fungi are resistant or insensitive to LDPE. The degradation of LDPE plastic was analyzed using gravimetric methods, Fourier Transform Infrared, and a scanning electron microscope. Methodology and results: According to the results of gravimetric and FTIR analysis, the highest removal value was at a temperature variation of 30°C. The gravimetric analysis revealed that the weight loss in LDPE plastic was 0.0082 gr to 0,0074 gr or 9.76 %, while the FTIR analysis revealed that the intensity removal result was 6,27 %. Conclusion, significance, and impact of study: Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis revealed morphological changes on the surface of LDPE plastic samples, confirming these findings. Several factors influence the changes that occur in this study's LDPE plastic samples.

Isolation and identification of low-density polyethylene degrading novel bacterial strains.

Plastics are usually made up of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) that serve as the environmental nuisance. The recalcitrant nature of plastics is a huge concern, whereas the increasing demand has made it difficult to handle the plastic waste that eventually leads to plastic pollution. In recent years, due to increasing demand and high pressure for its safe disposal, plastic biodegradation has gained a lot of attention. In the current study, four bacterial strains were isolated from the solid-waste dumpsites of Faisalabad, Pakistan, using enrichment culture technique. The isolated bacterial strains were capable of growing on media having polystyrene as the sole carbon source. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the isolated strains Serratia sp., Stenotrophomonas sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were identified as the potential strains for the biodegradation of LDPE. Serratia sp. resulted in 40% weight loss of the LDPE plastic pieces after 150days of treatment. Stenotrophomonas sp. and Pseudomonas species resulted in 32 and 21% weight loss of the treated piece of plastics (LDPE), respectively. Polyethylene pieces were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis before and after biodegradation. The FTIR spectra indicated that the isolated bacterial strains have a good potential to degrade LDPE. Future studies are required to investigate the bacterial genetic makeup, mechanisms of LDPE biodegradation and the factors that can enhance the biodegradable characteristics of these indigenously isolated bacterial strains.

Investigating the effect of pyro-catalytic temperature on gasoline production from low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastics waste

This research aims to produce hydrocarbon fuels from LDPE plastic waste by the pyro-catalytic method. Pyro-catalytic of LDPE samples was carried out at 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525 and 550 °C, heating flow rate of 15 °C/min with zeolite catalyst. Fuel-oil quality analysis includes: density, viscosity, heat value, and hydrocarbon compounds using Gas Chromatrography-Mass Spectrometry(GC-MS). The pyro-catalytic process at temperatures of 400, 425 and 450 °C did not produce fuel oil, while at 550 °C it produced wax, so that the analysis of the quality of fuel-oil was not carried out. At pyrolysis temperatures of 475, 500 and 525 °C, respectively: bio-oil yield 8.4; 25.6; 46.5%; viscosity 0.81; 0.75; 0,84cP, density 0.750; 0.764; 0.756 g/mL and the caloric value of 11,403; 11,421; 11,338 kcal/kg.GC-MS spectrogram analysis of fuel-oil obtained the highest gasoline (C5-C12) content at pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C which was 81.31%.Based on the physical characteristics and percentage of the gasoline compounds content, this study recommends the production of fuel-oil from pyrolysis LDPE with zeolite catalytic done at a temperature of 500 °C because it is in accordance with fuel characteristics standards according to the American Standard and Testing Materials (ASTM).

The Effect of Low-Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE) Towards Plastic Oil Quality

Nowadays, the use of plastics is inseparable from daily life activities for both industrial commercial and household needs. Every year, an average individual consumes 700 plastic bags. Furthermore, the major types of plastic pollutants are High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE). The nature of LDPE plastic makes it very difficult to undergo decomposition. Subsequently, efforts to overcome this problem have been carried out by several methods of processing or utilizing its waste through pyrolysis. This study aims to determine the effect of the quality of LDPE plastic waste on the plastic oil produced from the pyrolysis process. Based on their chemical compounds, all plastic oils produced were categorized as carbon compounds instead of hydrocarbons. Although, from the quality of the LDPE plastic used, the process produced gasoline, naphtha, and kerosene, the quality of each oil was different. Therefore, the higher the quality of the LDPE plastic used, the better the quality of the oil produced

Kajian Karakteristik dan Energi pada Pirolisis Limbah Plastik Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Low-Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE), plastic waste cannot be broken down by microorganisms in the soil, has no sale value, so it is buried in the final waste disposal site. One of the plastic waste treatment methods is the pyrolysis process. The purpose of this study was to determine the type of fuel oil from pyrolysis products and to determine the energy efficiency produced against the highest fuel use. The pyrolysis equipment used is 1 reactor unit and 1 condenser unit. The characteristics of the fuel oil product analyzed are the cetane index, density, sulfur content, kinematic viscosity, flash point, and caloric value of the pyrolysis process which varies the combustion temperature in the reactor by 200°C, 250°C, 300°C and the process in the reactor, with and without the use of natural zeolite catalysts 1% against 2.5 kg of LDPE plastic waste for 6 hours. After the type of fuel produced is identified, an energy efficiency assessment of the fuel product is carried out on the use of fuel in the pyrolysis process. The results analysis show that the all product of fuel oil is a kerosene-type of fuel. The highest efficiency of 72.51% is the kerosene produced in pyrolysis using a catalyst at a temperature of 250°C with an energy value ratio of 20,402 kcal for kerosene from pyrolysis of LDPE plastic waste and 28,137 kcal for the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) fuel in the pyrolysis process. Pyrolysis using a 1% zeolite catalyst at 250°C has proven to be an efficient and sustainable way to treat LDPE waste into kerosene fuel.

Fate of plastic film residues in agro-ecosystem and its effects on aggregate-associated soil carbon and nitrogen stocks

Biodegradable (Bio) plastic films are widely viewed as promising alternative products of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films to minimize plastic debris accumulation and pollution in agroecosystems. Yet, this speculation indeed lacks of sufficient evidences. We conducted a landfill investigation on the aging characteristics of Bio and LDPE plastic films in maize field, and the effects on soil aggregate composition and carbon & nitrogen stocks. The degradation rate of Bio film was up to 41.1% while that of LDPE film was zero. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the crack formation of Bio film had a pronounced domino effect, and FTIR showed that old Bio film displayed an extra wide peak threshold ranging from 3000 to 3500 cm−1. Particularly, the abundance of microplastics was elevated with the increased plastic residues, and the increment mostly resulted from Bio residues. Critically, plastic residues significantly lowered the soil macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm) proportion, while increasing that of micro-aggregates (0.1–0.25 mm) in LDPE, and silt/clay fraction (<0.1 mm) in Bio respectively. They significantly promoted total nitrogen content of the aggregates with the same size, but decreased the organic carbon content, dramatically lowering the C/N. Therefore, we first identified the fate of plastic film residues in agroecosystems and revealed the serious deficiencies of Bio plastic film.