A circular economy approach to energy recovery from polymer waste with oxygenated additives as a sustainable fuel
S. Baskar, S. Padmanabhan, Abdul Aziz Abdul Raman, M. Venkatesan, Shangeetha Ganesan, K.M. Kumar, Sasikumar Mahalingam
Abstract
• Pyrolysis-based innovative approach for recovering energy from polystyrene wastes in producing sustainable fuel. • Polymer Waste Oil (PWO) and Diethyl Ether (DEE) diesel blends reduce emissions and enhance engine performance. • A blend of PWO20DA20 decreased the SFC by 16.7 %, while BTE increased by 1.27 % over diesel. • Response Surface Methodology: Optimized blends were received with minimal CO emissions at 0.1762 % and HC emissions at 61 ppm. The generation of polymer wastes has become a continually growing environmental challenge for disposal and resource management. This research develops an innovative approach to environmental sustainability by recovering energy from polystyrene polymer waste through pyrolysis conversion to polymer waste oil blended with diesel fuel at 20 % and 40 % ratios. In consideration of further optimizing combustion efficiency and minimizing harmful emissions, the oxygenated additive diethyl ether is used at a concentration of 10 % and 20 % in fuel blends. This investigation discusses the performance and emission characteristics of these blends in a diesel engine based on the environmental impact. Recovery of plastic waste to usable fuel is a leading step in applying circular economy principles in handling plastic pollution. It offers the possibility of transforming waste into valuable resources where economic incentives are aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. The results show that PWO20DA20 has resulted in a notable SFC reduction of 16.7 %, and BTE increased by 1.27 % compared to diesel. PWO20DA20 blend significantly reduced hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by 15.71 % and 20.81 %, respectively. Response surface methodology resulted in 13.9 % PWO and 19.3 % DEE, is considered the best formulation, and resulted in lowering SFC to 0.2925 kg/kWh with minimal CO at 0.1762 % and HC at 61 ppm.