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Co-pyrolysis of medical protective clothing and oil palm wastes for biofuel: Experimental, techno-economic, and environmental analyses

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  • Su, Guangcan
  • Zulkifli, Nurin Wahidah Mohd
  • Ong, Hwai Chyuan
  • Ibrahim, Shaliza
  • Cheah, Mei Yee
  • Zhu, Ruonan
  • Bu, Quan

Abstract

The ongoing global pandemic of COVID-19 has devastatingly influenced the environment, society, and economy around the world. Numerous medical resources are used to inhibit the infectious transmission of the virus, resulting in massive medical waste. This study proposes a sustainable and environment-friendly method to convert hazardous medical waste into valuable fuel products through pyrolysis. Medical protective clothing (MPC), a typical medical waste from COVID-19, was utilized for co-pyrolysis with oil palm wastes (OPWs). The utilization of MPC improved the bio-oil properties in OPWs pyrolysis. The addition of catalysts further ameliorated the bio-oil quality. HZSM-5 was more effective in producing hydrocarbons in bio-oil, and the relevant reaction pathway was proposed. Meanwhile, a project was simulated to co-produce bio-oil and electricity from the co-pyrolysis of OPWs and MPC from application perspectives. The techno-economic analysis indicated that the project was economically feasible, and the payback period was 6.30–8.75 years. Moreover, it was also environmentally benign as its global warming potential varied from −211.13 to −90.76 kg CO2-eq/t. Therefore, converting MPC and OPWs into biofuel and electricity through co-pyrolysis is a green, economic, and sustainable method that can decrease waste, produce valuable fuel products, and achieve remarkable economic and environmental benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Su, Guangcan & Zulkifli, Nurin Wahidah Mohd & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Ibrahim, Shaliza & Cheah, Mei Yee & Zhu, Ruonan & Bu, Quan, 2023. "Co-pyrolysis of medical protective clothing and oil palm wastes for biofuel: Experimental, techno-economic, and environmental analyses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:273:y:2023:i:c:s0360544223006151
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.127221
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    References listed on IDEAS

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