Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Technoeconomic feasibility of producing clean fuels from waste plastics: A novel process model

Al-Qadri, Ali A.; Ahmed, Usama; Mozahar Hossain, M.; Ahmad, Nabeel; Gani Abdul Jameel, Abdul; Zahid, Umer; Zein, Sharif H.

Authors

Ali A. Al-Qadri

Usama Ahmed

M. Mozahar Hossain

Nabeel Ahmad

Abdul Gani Abdul Jameel

Umer Zahid

Sharif H. Zein



Abstract

Plastic waste is a problematic issue impacting the environment and human health. A proper recycling of plastics to valuable products is highly needed to meet the increase in energy demand. Plastics have high heating value; therefore, the thermochemical recycling of plastic waste is a valid and feasible approach. Recently, ethanol has attracted wide applications such as the conversion of ethanol to olefins, and hydrocarbons. It burns completely and cleanly, where it reduces the emissions of greenhouses compared to the usual fuels. Hydrogen and other higher hydrocarbons are also crucial in meeting the energy demand. In this study, the plastic waste, mainly polyethylene and polypropylene (due to their availability) were gasified using steam gasification process to produce syngas which then was further processed to hydrogen, ethanol, and other valuable liquid hydrocarbons. An alternative design is constructed integrating steam methane reforming (SMR) with plastic gasification to utilize the heat at the outlet of the gasifier and to enhance the syngas heating value. The two models were compared in terms of syngas heating value, energy analysis and economic analysis. The main parameters that have been evaluated are the production rate of fuel per total feedstock, total required heat, overall process efficiency, and fuel levelized production cost. The results indicated that Case 2 generates syngas with a higher heating value of 55 %, produces four times more H2, and comparable amount of ethanol and other fuels than Case 1. The analysis also revealed that Case 2 has a process efficiency that is 3 % better and a 37.5 % lower fuel production cost than Case 1. Overall, the design of Case 2 was found to be more efficient and cost-effective than the Case 1 design.

Citation

Al-Qadri, A. A., Ahmed, U., Mozahar Hossain, M., Ahmad, N., Gani Abdul Jameel, A., Zahid, U., & Zein, S. H. (2024). Technoeconomic feasibility of producing clean fuels from waste plastics: A novel process model. Energy Conversion and Management, 316, Article 118822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118822

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 17, 2024
Online Publication Date Jul 24, 2024
Publication Date Sep 15, 2024
Deposit Date Aug 30, 2024
Journal Energy Conversion and Management
Print ISSN 0196-8904
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 316
Article Number 118822
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118822
Keywords Gasification; Reforming; Ethanol synthesis; Waste management; Levelized fuel cost
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4792872