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DC Thermal Plasma Design and Utilization for the Low Density Polyethylene to Diesel Oil Pyrolysis Reaction

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  • Hossam A. Gabbar

    (Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada
    Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada)

  • Mohamed Aboughaly

    (Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada)

  • C.A. Barry Stoute

    (Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Canada)

Abstract

The exponential increase of plastic production produces 100 million tonnes of waste plastics annually which could be converted into hydrocarbon fuels in a thermal cracking process called pyrolysis. In this research work, a direct current (DC) thermal plasma circuit is designed and used for conversion of low density polyethylene (LDPE) into diesel oil in a laboratory scale pyrolysis reactor. The experimental setup uses a 270 W DC thermal plasma at operating temperatures in the range of 625 °C to 860 °C for a low density polyethylene (LDPE) pyrolysis reaction at pressure = −0.95, temperature = 550 °C with τ = 30 min at a constant heating rate of 7.8 °C/min. The experimental setup consists of a vacuum pump, closed system vessel, direct current (DC) plasma circuit, and a k-type thermocouple placed a few millimeters from the reactant sample. The hydrocarbon products are condensed to diesel oil and analyzed using flame ionization detector (FID) gas chromatography. The analysis shows 87.5% diesel oil, 1,4-dichlorobenzene (Surr), benzene, ethylbenzene and traces of toluene and xylene. The direct current (DC) thermal plasma achieves 56.9 wt. % of diesel range oil (DRO), 37.8 wt. % gaseous products and minimal tar production. The direct current (DC) thermal plasma shows reliability, better temperature control, and high thermal performance as well as the ability to work for long operation periods.

Suggested Citation

  • Hossam A. Gabbar & Mohamed Aboughaly & C.A. Barry Stoute, 2017. "DC Thermal Plasma Design and Utilization for the Low Density Polyethylene to Diesel Oil Pyrolysis Reaction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:6:p:784-:d:100774
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. B. T. Ramesh & Javed Sayyad & Arunkumar Bongale & Anupkumar Bongale, 2022. "Extraction and Performance Analysis of Hydrocarbons from Waste Plastic Using the Pyrolysis Process," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Sharma, Bhasha & Goswami, Yagyadatta & Sharma, Shreya & Shekhar, Shashank, 2021. "Inherent roadmap of conversion of plastic waste into energy and its life cycle assessment: A frontrunner compendium," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    3. Lars Zigan, 2018. "Overview of Electric Field Applications in Energy and Process Engineering," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-33, May.
    4. Anna Matuszewska & Marlena Owczuk & Krzysztof Biernat, 2022. "Current Trends in Waste Plastics’ Liquefaction into Fuel Fraction: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-32, April.
    5. Ali Elkamel, 2018. "Energy Production Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-4, September.
    6. Jie Ma & Ming Zhang & Jianhua Wu & Qiwei Yang & Guangdong Wen & Baogen Su & Qilong Ren, 2017. "Hydropyrolysis of n- Hexane and Toluene to Acetylene in Rotating-Arc Plasma," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-12, July.
    7. Chalita Kaewbuddee & Ekarong Sukjit & Jiraphon Srisertpol & Somkiat Maithomklang & Khatha Wathakit & Niti Klinkaew & Pansa Liplap & Weerachai Arjharn, 2020. "Evaluation of Waste Plastic Oil-Biodiesel Blends as Alternative Fuels for Diesel Engines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, June.
    8. Lin Du & Yubo Wang & Wujing Wang & Xiangxiang Chen, 2018. "Studies on a Thermal Fault Simulation Device and the Pyrolysis Process of Insulating Oil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, December.

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