Incineration Of Plastic Wastes Research Articles

Evaluation on production trend, compositions, and impact of plastic waste in Chengdu, southwestern China

ABSTRACT Based on statistical data from 2005 to 2019, we used the back propagation (BP) neural network model to predict the production amount of plastic waste in Chengdu. In addition to the amount of waste produced we wanted to achieve an understanding of its composition and environmental impacts. Compositions of plastic waste were analyzed by sampling. Particulate matter in the air and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from plastic waste incineration, bisphenol A (BPA) from plastic waste landfills, were also evaluated. Results indicated that (a) economic development, urban construction level, and residents’ consumption were pusitively correlated to different degrees to plastic waste production; (b) the production of plastic waste in Chengdu in 2025 and 2030 will reach 865.3 and 931 kilotons (Kt), respectively; (c) high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) are the two main components of plastic waste in Chengdu and accounted for 40.17% and 24.96%, respectively; (d) different degrees of environmental impacts occurred during plastic waste incineration and landfill (taking 2019 as an example, the incineration of plastic waste in Chengdu produced between 2874.82 and 4711.73 tons of inhalable particulate matter (PM) and emitted between 725.4 and 867.4 Kt of CO2, and between 65.02 and 910.27 kg of bisphenol A (BPA) leached from sanitary landfills); (e) positive policies and measures from the beginning to the end-of-life of plastics should be carried out in the future, which would improve the level of plastic waste management in Chengdu and mitigate the side-impacts from plastic waste treatment and disposal. Implications: The implications of this article are Generation trends of plastic waste were revealed by a BP neural network model, which provided essential data for authorities to make decisions on waste management. Influencing factors affecting plastic waste generation were analyzed, which will strongly support policy considerations regarding plastic waste control. This investigation first explored and reported the compositions of plastic waste mixed with municipal solid waste (MSW), which yielded valuable information concerning plastic waste and details concerning the impacts of plastic waste disposal processes. Those results of this investigation, being published here for the first time, will guide plastic waste management in Chengdu and could also provide useful information to other cities regarding that issue.

Economic, environmental and exergy analysis of the decarbonisation of cement production cycle

The aim of this study is to analyze the exergetic, environmental, and economic impact of the use of alternative fuels (Plasmix), instead of coal on the clinker production to valorise a non-recyclable waste and to limit global CO2 emissions. The cement production process was implemented in AspenPlus® environment, simulating different scenarios with the possibility to conduct the non recyclable plastic waste incineration in oxy-combustion conditions. Three scenarios were considered: without and with flue gas recirculation from the pre-heating tower and the oxy-combustion layout. Sensitive analyses were carried out to optimize cyclonic pre-heater tower working. Exergetic and economic analyses were performed, and the relevant impacts on economic profitability were analysed. The study reports the advantages and disadvantages of the different scenarios in terms of exergy efficiency, energy requirements, economic impact and pollutants emissions savings. Oxy-combustion layout resulted in 18.4% savings in terms of CO2 emissions but, at the same time, a lower Return of Investment (11.79%) with respect to the scenario with flue gas recirculation (11.82%). The exergy analysis of third scenario re returned the maximum obtainable value of the exergy efficiency (58.4%).

Water barrier and mechanical properties of sugar palm crystalline nanocellulose reinforced thermoplastic sugar palm starch (TPS)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blend bionanocomposites

Abstract The disposal of non-biodegradable synthetic plastic wastes is linked with air, land, and marine pollutions. Incineration of plastic wastes released toxic substances into the air while recycled plastics end up accumulated in landfill and dumped into the ocean. In this study, novel sugar palm starch reinforced with sugar palm crystalline nanocellulose was blended with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with various formulations to develop alternative materials potentially substituting conventional plastics. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated broad amorphous scattering background with minor diffraction peaks at 2θ of 19.4° and 22° associated with VH-type and B-type crystal structure for all blend bionanocomposites samples. Higher solubility rates were observed for PLA20TPS80 (96.34%) and PLA40TPS60 (77.66%) associated with higher concentration of plasticizers providing extra space in the polymer chains to be penetrated by water molecules. Increasing PLA content was not necessarily enhancing the water vapor permeability rate. Dynamic mechanical analysis presented a significant increment in storage modulus (E′) for PLA60TPS40 (53.2%) compared to the trivial changes of PLA70TPS30 (10%) and PLA80TPS20 (0.6%). However, significant improvement in impact strength occurred only at PLA40TPS60 (33.13%), and further addition showed minor improvement between 12 and 20%. Overall, it is noted that PLA60TPS40 demonstrated adequate functional properties to be used in food packaging application.

Engineering of a Novel Anti-Dioxin Bacillus Subtilis Probiotic for Poultry Feed

Introduction: Plastic waste incineration has increased dramatically in Asia, producing highly toxic by-products such as dioxins. The biomagnification and bioaccumulation of dioxins from the atmosphere to the soil, agriculture, feed, livestock, and finally to humans poses a serious concern for public and environmental health. This study aims to engineer a novel poultry feed additive for detoxification of poultry products. Methods: The Bacillus subtilis feed probiotic will be created via insertion of a dioxin degradation system from Sphingomonas wittichii and thymine dependent biological containment system. This method is appropriate given that dioxin’s primary form of contact with humans is through ingestion. All experimentations will be done in triplicates and with appropriate control groups. Results: For the experimental group (recombinant B. subtilis growing on PCDD- and PCDF-contaminated media), an increase in catechol is expected in comparison to the control groups. This will be quantified via liquid chromatography. In addition, a decrease in PCDD and PCDF levels will be expected and measured via mass spectrometry. It is postulated that the chickens will not undergo significant changes after intake of the probiotic in the animal trials. The laboratory observations in measuring biodegradation efficiency are expected to persist into animal trials. Discussion: Although good combustion practice is the top method for removing dioxins, it is impractical in developing countries due to its costs. Therefore, recombinant bacterial chicken feed probiotic is the most cost effective in terms of removing dioxins from contaminated animal products despite its few limitations. Conclusion: This study implicates a gap in literature in developing preventative measures for toxic plastic waste disposal by-products which could be mediated through increased research of the application of dioxin-degrading enzymes. Possibilities for further research include examination of dioxin impacted farm animals and the effects of B. subtilis as a probiotic.

Plastic smoke aerosol: Nano-sized particle distribution, absorption/fluorescent properties, dysregulation of oxidative processes and synaptic transmission in rat brain nerve terminals

Smoke from plastic waste incineration in an open air travels worldwide and is a major source of air pollution particulate matter (PM) that is very withstand to degradation and hazard to human health. Suspension of smoke aerosol components in water occurs during rains and fire extinguishing. Here, water-suspended plastic smoke aerosol (WPS) preparations suitable for biotesting were synthesized. It has been revealed using dynamic light scattering that WPS contained major nano-sized (∼30 nm) PM fraction, and this result was confirmed by electron microscopy. Optical absorption of WPS was in the UV region and an increase in λex led to a red-shift in fluorescence emission with a corresponding decrease in fluorescence intensity. WPS was analyzed in neurotoxicity studies in vitro using presynaptic rat cortex nerve terminals (synaptosomes). Generation of spontaneous reactive oxygen species (ROS) detected using fluorescent dye 2′,7-dichlorofluorescein in nerve terminals was decreased by WPS (10–50 μg/ml) in a dose-dependent manner. WPS also reduced the H2O2-evoked ROS production in synaptosomes, thereby influencing cellular oxidative processes and this effect was similar to that for carbon nanodots. WPS (0.1 mg/ml) decreased the synaptosomal membrane potential and synaptic vesicle acidification in fluorimetric experiments. WPS (1.0 mg/ml) attenuated the synaptosomal transporter-mediated uptake of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, L-[14C]glutamate and [3H]GABA, respectively. This can lead to an excessive increase in the glutamate concentration in the synaptic cleft and neurotoxicity via over activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors. Therefore, WPS was neurotoxic and provoked presynaptic malfunction through changes of oxidative activity, reduction of the membrane potential, synaptic vesicle acidification, and transporter-mediated uptake of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in nerve terminals. In summary, synthesis and emission to the environment of ultrafine PM occur during combustion of plastics, thereby polluting air and water resources, and possibly triggering development of neuropathologies.

Molecular distribution and compound-specific stable carbon isotopic composition of dicarboxylic acids, oxocarboxylic acids and <i>α</i>-dicarbonyls in PM<sub>2.5</sub> from Beijing, China

Abstract. This study investigates the seasonal variation, molecular distribution and stable carbon isotopic composition of diacids, oxocarboxylic acids and α-dicarbonyls to better understand the sources and formation processes of fine aerosols (PM2.5) in Beijing. The concentrations of total dicarboxylic acids varied from 110 to 2580 ng m−3, whereas oxoacids (9.50–353 ng m−3) and dicarbonyls (1.50–85.9 ng m−3) were less abundant. Oxalic acid was found to be the most abundant individual species, followed by succinic acid or occasionally by terephthalic acid (tPh), a plastic waste burning tracer. Ambient concentrations of phthalic acid (37.9 ± 27.3 ng m−3) and tPh (48.7 ± 51.1 ng m−3) were larger in winter than in other seasons, illustrating that fossil fuel combustion and plastic waste incineration contribute more to wintertime aerosols. The year-round mass concentration ratios of malonic acid to succinic acid (C3 ∕ C4) were relatively low by comparison with those in other urban aerosols and remote marine aerosols. The values were less than or equal to unity in Beijing, implying that the degree of photochemical formation of diacids in Beijing is insignificant. Moreover, strong correlation coefficients of major oxocarboxylic acids and α-dicarbonyls with nss-K+ suggest that biomass burning contributes significantly to these organic acids and related precursors. The mean δ13C value of succinic acid is the highest among all species, with values of −17.1 ± 3.9 ‰ (winter) and −17.1 ± 2.0 ‰ (spring), while malonic acid is more enriched in 13C than others in autumn (−17.6 ± 4.6 ‰) and summer (−18.7 ± 4.0 ‰). The δ13C values of major species in Beijing aerosols are generally lower than those in the western North Pacific atmosphere, the downwind region, which indicates that stable carbon isotopic compositions of diacids depend on their precursor sources in Beijing. Therefore, our study demonstrates that in addition to photochemical oxidation, high abundances of diacids, oxocarboxylic acids and α-dicarbonyls in Beijing are largely associated with anthropogenic primary emissions, such as biomass burning, fossil fuel combustion and plastic waste burning.

A Cost-effectiveness Analysis for Incineration or Recycling of Dutch Household Plastic Waste

The cost-effectiveness of two different plastic waste treatment options is compared. This paper evaluates the recycling of plastic waste with the more conventional incineration of plastic waste, using data for the Netherlands. Both options have specific revenues and costs. The main benefit from plastic recycling is the avoidance of CO2 emissions that otherwise would occur during incineration and from the production of virgin (new) plastic material. At the same time, there are significant costs involved, such as collection, separation, sorting, and recycling. The benefit from plastic waste incineration is the energy that can be recovered, which reduces emissions in the regular energy production sector by displacing production. The main cost associated with incineration is that this requires a waste-to-energy plant with the associated capital investments. Summing the costs and revenues from both plastic waste treatment options and comparing the results, leads to an implicit CO2 abatement price of 178€/t of CO2 in case of plastic recycling. In general, this implicit price is much higher than current (or historic) ETS prices, the estimated external costs of CO2 emissions, or alternatives to reduce CO2 emissions (e.g. renewable energy). A sensitivity analysis shows that this conclusion is robust.

The Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste Incineration

According to environmental and safety-conscious behaviour in the 21th century, it is necessary to strive to reduce all those activities that cause environmental damage in every aspect of life. More emphasis should be placed on recycling, waste-handling and environmental-friendly solutions, due to the increased amount of waste caused by the penetration of plastics. Plastic manufacture is a constantly growing industry – especially the production of packaging – so the amount of plastic waste generated is also growing steadily. Only a part of the accumulated waste is recycled, another part is destroyed and the remaining amount will continue to pollute the environment. One form of destruction may be energy recovery or incineration. Destruction is a form of energy recovery or incineration which is subject to strict legal requirements in addition to other possible activities. It could pose a serious burden on the human and natural environment if the process is not properly controlled and monitored. This article writes of the situation that seemingly a growing amount of plastic waste is used in residential combustion appliances, of which adverse environmental and health effects the majority of citizens are not aware, so these will be shown in particular. In this article, we examine the environmental and health effects and harm caused by the burning of plastics in detail. We write this study with the purpose of drawing people’s attention to the importance of reducing the quantities of plastic waste and thus the environmental impact they cause as well as the human and environmental risks of incineration.

Chemical looping dechlorination through adsorbent-decorated Fe2O3/Al2O3 oxygen carriers

Plastic waste incineration is the main source of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), which, as toxic materials, have aroused increasing attention all over the world. Based on the formation mechanisms of PCDD/Fs, the key approaches to eliminate PCDD/Fs are to maintain an oxygen-deficient atmosphere to suppress the de novo route of PCDD/Fs formation and to constrain the presence of free chlorine to prevent the formation of PCDD/Fs from the conversion of precursors (e.g., unchlorinated benzene and phenol). Chemical looping combustion (CLC), which utilizes active lattice oxygen provided by an oxygen carrier (OC) for fuel oxidation in the absence of O2 was, for the first time, proposed as a promising pattern for disposing plastic waste. To constrain the presence of free chlorine, the feasibility of dechlorination through adsorbent-decorated Fe-based OC during the CLC process was investigated through thermodynamic simulation, isothermal kinetic experiments in a thermogravimentric analyzer (TGA), and batch fluidized bed reactor experiments. For three CaO/K2O/Na2O adsorbents, CaO decoration for OC particles exhibits the highest dechlorination efficiency, however it results in the maximum activation energy in the TGA experiments and relatively more carbon deposition on the OC particles in these batch fluidized bed experiments. Subsequently, the effects of the CaO decoration method (wet impregnation, coprecipitation, and physical mixture), CaO loading and reaction temperature on the efficiencies of dechloridation and combustion were investigated in the batch fluidized bed reactor that simulates a real chemical looping process. The results indicated that the wet impregnation method demonstrates the best adsorbent decoration and that 5 wt% CaO loading reaches an optimized level of dechloridation. In addition, increasing the temperature can improve the dechlorination, but it also increases carbon deposition, leading to a lower combustion efficiency. Next, the dechloridation efficiency gradually descends, and correspondingly, the mole ratio between Ca and Fe on the OC particle surface exhibits a declining trend with an increase in the cycle number; these results were verified by ion chromatography and an environmental scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (ESEM-EDX), respectively. Notably, the ESEM-EDX result demonstrates the accumulation of Cl elements onto the surface of OC particles. Last, the reduced samples were washed using a dilute hydrochloric acid solution after 30 cycles, and the ESEM-EDX result demonstrates the removal of the Ca and Cl elements from the surface of these OC particles and the regeneration of these OC particles. Overall, these results provide sound evidence for the feasibility of chemical looping dechlorination through the use of adsorbent-decorated Fe2O3/Al2O3 OC particles.

Polímeros biodegradáveis - uma solução parcial para diminuir a quantidade dos resíduos plásticos

The large use of plastics has generated a waste deposit problem. Today plastic wastes represent 20% in volume of the total waste in the municipal landfills. To solve the disposal problem of plastics methods have been employed such as incineration, recycling, landfill disposal, biodegradation and the use of biodegradable polymers. Incineration of plastic wastes provokes pollution due to the production of poisonous gases. Recycling is important to reduce final costs of plastic materials, but is not enough in face of the amount of discarded plastic. In landfills plastic wastes remain undegraded for a long time, causing space and pollution problems. Biodegradation is a feasible method to treat some plastics, but intensive research is necessary to find conditions for the action of microorganisms. All of these methods are important and the practical application of each one depends on the type and amount of the plastic wastes and the environmental conditions. Therefore, a great deal of research has focused on developing biodegradable plastics and its application because it is an important way for minimizing the effect of the large volume of plastic waste discarded in the world.

PAH emission from the incineration of three plastic wastes

A batch-type, controlled-air incinerator was used for the treatment of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP) plastic wastes. The concentration and composition of 21 individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the raw wastes, flue gas (gas and particle phases), and ash were determined. Stack flue-gas samples were collected by a PAH stack-sampling system. Twenty-one individual PAHs were analyzed primarily by a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The CO concentration correlated well with the total PAH ( R 2>.89), and thus can be used as a surrogate indicator for PAH emission. Excess amounts of air supply in the incineration of plastic wastes could decrease not only the concentration of the PAHs in the bottom ash but also the emission factor (EF) of the total PAH in the stack flue gas. Of the three plastic wastes, HDPE was found to have the highest mean EF of the total PAHs (462.3 mg/kg waste) from the stack flue gas. Incinerating PVC would result in a higher EF of PAHs (195.4 mg/kg waste) in the bottom ash. When PVC plastic wastes were incinerated, higher-ringed PAHs constituted a larger percentage in the bottom ash as compared to those from PP and HDPE plastics. By judging the output and input (O/I) ratio of the PAHs from the incineration trials of plastic wastes, the PAHs involved in incineration of three plastic wastes were almost entirely destroyed; and a low residual amount between 0.00018 and 0.00032 remained in the emission.

Identification of mixed O-phenyl alkyl phthalate esters in an agricultural land.

We report the identification of several series of asymmetric O–phenyl alkyl phthalates in agricultural lands in the center and south of the Israeli Coastal Plain. These substances have been observed at both soil surface and soil depth ,at concentrations up to 6000 ppb. Symmetric phthalate esters (I, Rx = Ry) are among the most common industrial chemicals. They are produced in large amounts and are used as plasticizers, in particular for PVC. Among these esters, diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP) is one of the most widely used (Bemis, 1982) .Non–plasticizer applications of phthalates include a broad spectrum of uses, such as insect repellent preparations, pesticide carriers, cosmetics, liquid soaps, detergents, and industrial and lubricating oils. While some environmental studies have reported fast biodegradation of phthalates (Kurane 1986), many reports indicate the occurence of phthalates in environmental samples of water and sediments, in fish, and in various aquatic organisms (Sheldon and Hites 1978, Thuren 1986 ,Fatoki and Vernon 1990), in significant amounts ,extending to the ppm range. Significant levels of phthalates have also been observed in Israel ,in samples from the soil surface, in soil profiles and also in groundwater (Muszkat et al . 1993) .Phthalates enter the water phase through several mechanisms :aqueous leaching of plastic and wastes, incineration of plastic wastes and also wet deposition out of the atmosphere. They are also introduced into the atmosphere by direct volatilization from resin matrices .Due to their hydrophobic nature they tend to be absorbed to suspended particles and accumulate finally in sediments and in the food chain. Their spread in the environment is highly enhanced by absorption to various surface active components as well as to the soil macroparticulate matter and particulate

Possibilities and limits of pyrolysis

AbstractIn the public and administration the acceptance for landfilling or incineration of plastic wastes is decreasing. By pyrolysis it is possible to recover hydrocarbons from polymers. Rotary kilns and fluidized bed processes are investigated as processes. As yet, no process has come to an industrial stage. The fact that more plastic wastes will be collected in the future gives a chance for building plants with higher capacity which will be working more economically. Mechanical problems with feed and output could be solved.

On the Incineration of Plastic Wastes by a Cotinuous-feed Incinerator with Pan-shaped Hearth and Scrapers and on the Treatment of Waste Gas and Liquid Discharged from the Incinerator Plant

Incineration of plastic wastes, smoke control and the treatment of waste gas and liquid discharged from the plastic waste incinerator plant are discussed and the experimental studies on the incineration of plastic wastes by a continuous-feed, 250kg/hr incinerator with pan-shaped hearth and scrapers and on the removal of HCl, SO2, soot and heavy metals in the waste gas are reported.