Pyrolytic conversion of waste plastics using African apple seed-based activated carbon catalyst
1 NLNG Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemicals Engineering, Nigeria.
2 Department of Chemical Engineering University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Research Article
Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances, 2023, 16(03), 207–218.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gjeta.2023.16.3.0199
Publication history:
Received on 18 August 2023; revised on 26 September 2023; accepted on 29 September 2023
Abstract:
This research aimed to conduct a pyrolytic conversion of waste plastics using an African seed-based activated carbon catalyst. The process description to produce activated carbon from African star apple includes removing and drying seed husks, grinding, and preparing activated carbon (AC). The plastic waste materials used for the catalytic pyrolysis process were waste Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, which were sourced from Liberation Stadium Road, GRA Phase IV, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The effects of activated carbon (AC) as a catalyst on fuel production and gasification efficiency were also evaluated. Proximate and ultimate analyses were conducted on the AC to determine its composition. The results showed that the AC had high fixed carbon content and low volatile matter and ash contents. The experiments also showed that the products' density, calorific value, cetane number, and kinematic viscosity were within the range of diesel fuel specifications. However, the water, flashpoint, acid number, ash, and nitrogen content were higher than diesel fuel. The addition of AC catalyst improved the properties of the pyrolyzed products by reducing the water content, acid number, and ash content.
Keywords:
Pyrolytic Conversion; African apple seed; Catalyst; High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE); Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE); Activated Carbon
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