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Syngas Production from Protective Face Masks through Pyrolysis/Steam Gasification

Author

Listed:
  • Ieva Kiminaitė

    (Laboratory of Combustion Processes, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos str. 3, LT-44403 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Judith González-Arias

    (Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Göteborg, Sweden)

  • Nerijus Striūgas

    (Laboratory of Combustion Processes, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos str. 3, LT-44403 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Justas Eimontas

    (Laboratory of Combustion Processes, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos str. 3, LT-44403 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Martin Seemann

    (Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Göteborg, Sweden)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a heavy expansion of plastic pollution due to the extensive use of personal protective equipment (PPE) worldwide. To avoid problems related to the entrance of these wastes into the environment, proper management of the disposal is required. Here, the steam gasification/pyrolysis technique offers a reliable solution for the utilization of such wastes via chemical recycling into value-added products. The aim was to estimate the effect of thermo-chemical conversion temperature and steam-to-carbon ratio on the distribution of gaseous products obtained during non-catalytic steam gasification of 3-ply face masks and KN95 respirators in a fluidized bed reactor. Experimental results have revealed that the process temperature has a major influence on the composition of gases evolved. The production of syngas was significantly induced by temperature elevation from 700 °C to 800 °C. The highest molar concentration of H 2 gases synthesized from both types of face masks was estimated at 800 °C with the steam-to-carbon ratio varying from 0 to 2. A similar trend of production was also determined for CO gases. Therefore, investigated thermochemical conversion process is a feasible route for the conversion of used face masks to valuable a product such as syngas.

Suggested Citation

  • Ieva Kiminaitė & Judith González-Arias & Nerijus Striūgas & Justas Eimontas & Martin Seemann, 2023. "Syngas Production from Protective Face Masks through Pyrolysis/Steam Gasification," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:14:p:5417-:d:1195620
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeong, Yong-Seong & Park, Ki-Bum & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2020. "Hydrogen production from steam gasification of polyethylene using a two-stage gasifier and active carbon," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Hossam A. Gabbar & Muhammad Sajjad Ahmad, 2024. "Integrated Waste-to-Energy Process Optimization for Municipal Solid Waste," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-20, January.

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