Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of plastics for aviation oil production: energy and economic analyses

doi:10.1007/s11705-024-2436-y

Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.

2024, Vol. 18

Issue (7) : 81 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-024-2436-y

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of plastics for aviation oil production: energy and economic analyses

Sichen Fan¹, Yifan Liu¹, Yaning Zhang¹(

), Wenke Zhao¹, Chunbao Xu²(

)

¹. School of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
². School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

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Abstract

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis is an effective method for recycling plastic wastes into oils that can be used for aviation fuels. In this study, energy and economic analyses of aviation oil production from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of polystyrene were performed. The total energy efficiency, recovered energy efficiency, unitary cost, unitary energy economic cost, relative cost difference, and energy economic factor were detailed. And the effects of microwave power, pyrolysis temperature, microwave absorbent loading, and microwave absorbent type on these parameters were covered. It was found that pyrolysis temperature has the most significant effect on the unitary cost and unitary energy economic cost of aviation oil, and-microwave absorbent type has a significant influence on energy economic factor during the whole microwave-assisted pyrolysis process. The optimum reaction conditions at the tonnage system for pyrolysis of 1 t polystyrene were microwave power of 650 W, pyrolysis temperature of 460 °C, and silicon carbide (microwave absorbent) at a loading of 2 t (twice than feedstock loading). At these optimal conditions, the total energy efficiency, recovered energy efficiency, unitary cost, unitary energy economic cost, relative cost difference, and energy economic factor were 62.78%, 96.51%, 3.21 × 10⁴ yuan·t^–1, 779 yuan·GJ^–1, 1.49, and 71.02%, respectively.

Keywords energy analysis economic analysis microwave-assisted pyrolysis polystyrene aviation oil

Corresponding Author(s): Yaning Zhang,Chunbao Xu

Just Accepted Date: 12 March 2024 Issue Date: 27 May 2024

Cite this article:

Sichen Fan,Yifan Liu,Yaning Zhang, et al. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of plastics for aviation oil production: energy and economic analyses[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2024, 18(7): 81.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/10.1007/s11705-024-2436-y
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/Y2024/V18/I7/81

Fig.1 Input and output stream processes in the MAP system (MA represents microwave absorbent).

Tab.1 Parameters involved in energy economic analysis

Tab.2 Energy analysis at different microwave powers

Fig.2 Energy efficiencies at different microwave powers.

Tab.3 Energy economic analysis at different microwave powers

Fig.3 Unitary energy economic cost and relative cost difference at different microwave powers.

Tab.4 Energy analysis at different pyrolysis temperatures

Fig.4 Energy efficiencies at different pyrolysis temperatures.

Tab.5 Energy economic analysis at different pyrolysis temperatures

Fig.5 Unitary energy economic cost and relative cost difference at different pyrolysis temperatures.

Tab.6 Energy analysis at different microwave absorbent loadings

Fig.6 Energy efficiencies at different microwave absorbent loadings.

Tab.7 Energy economic analysis at different microwave absorbent loadings

Fig.7 Unitary energy economic cost and relative cost difference at different microwave absorbent loadings.

Fig.8 Energy efficiencies at different microwave absorbent types.

Tab.8 Energy analysis at different microwave absorbent types

Tab.9 Energy economic analysis at different microwave absorbent types

Fig.9 Unitary energy economic cost and relative cost difference at different microwave absorbent types.

Fig.10 Circular energy and economic assessment: (a) energy flow and (b) economic flow.

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