Transformation of plastics into oil and gas, enriched with hydrocarbons, within the context of circular economy
Enea Researchers Develop Innovative Process to Convert Plastic Waste from Seas into Oil
Enea researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery by developing a process that converts plastic waste collected from the sea into a new type of oil. This chemical recycling technique, known as pyrolysis, breaks down plastic polymers into liquid oil, which can then be refined and reused.
The oil produced through this process can be utilised in various ways:
- Fuel Production: The oil can be processed into fuels compatible with current energy infrastructure, providing a renewable energy source derived from plastic waste.
- Plastic Production: The oil serves as a raw material for manufacturing new plastics, promoting circular economy practices by reusing waste plastics.
- Paints and Solvents: It can be used as a base or ingredient in producing paints and industrial solvents.
- Organic Compounds: The oil can be a source for synthesising various organic chemicals used in multiple industries.
This innovative solution not only addresses marine plastic pollution but also contributes to sustainable resource management by transforming waste plastics into valuable products.
The collection of plastic from the sea and beaches is a more complex process compared to treating urban solid waste due to factors such as plastic deterioration from solar radiation, the presence of sand, salt, shells, and algae. However, the process developed by the workgroup should make it possible to overcome these challenges.
The process for converting plastic waste into oil was developed by a group of Croatian and Italian researchers from the Enea. Specifically, the process was the brainchild of Riccardo Tuffi, Lorenzo Cafiero, and Doina De Angelis at the Laboratory of Technologies for Reuse, Recycling, Recovery, and Valorization of Waste and Materials.
The catalyst used in the plastic-to-oil process is made from waste materials, specifically the ashes produced by gasification and coal combustion plants. The gases produced during the thermochemical treatment were more than sufficient to meet the energy requirements of the process.
In experiments, the plastic sample was transformed into high-value hydrocarbons, with approximately 87% of the hydrocarbons produced being light oil, and 8% being gas. This promising development offers a potential solution to the challenges associated with the mechanical collection of plastic waste from the sea and beaches.
- The science of environmental-science is significantly advanced by the health-and-wellness benefits of this newly developed process, as sustainable resource management methods reduce the carbon footprint, promoting a fitness-and-exercise conscious approach to waste disposal.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, the researchers' innovative process in environmental-science contributes positively to the global health-and-wellness industry by providing a new source of sustainable oil, which can be used to produce fuels and organic compounds, including ingredients for paints and industrial solvents.
