Optimization of a Low-Cost Process to Convert Plastic Waste into Fuel Oil

Although the awareness of the environmental damage caused by plastic pollution has drastically increased over the last years, few steps have been taken to confront the consequences that are faced. Despite its many useful properties, we have unwillingly managed to prioritize plastic as a key catalyst to the detriment of our environment. These results are often most severe in countries that lack infrastructure to properly manage plastic waste. As global citizens, it is an obligation to collaborate with such societies in response to these threats. The chemistry behind the dissemination of plastic has already been established but not to the scale of the approachable technology appropriate for the developing world. Unless the market value of plastics increases, waste plastic will simply be discarded, where it will eventually make is way to the environment. It has been well established that polyolefin plastic can be converted to a sulfur-free fuel oil, referred to as PolyFuel. However, carrying out this chemistry in a developing world setting is challenging. Any process intended for use in developing countries must be safe, robust, efficient, simple to operate low cost and most importantly profitable for the operator. When the average daily wage in Uganda is approximately two dollars, an excess income provided from plastic waste fuel can be well recognized. Based on these criteria, the research that I will be presenting, focuses on the optimization of a PolyFuel processor that can be built using the principles of appropriate technology. The results of this optimization and profitability assessment will also be presented. This research has been conducted in collaboration with Empowered Solutions for Environmental Sustainability and UpCycle Africa.