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- Title
Process Simulation and Life Cycle Assessment of Waste Plastics: A Comparison of Pyrolysis and Hydrocracking.
- Authors
Azam, Muhammad Usman; Vete, Akshay; Afzal, Waheed
- Abstract
Pyrolysis and hydrocracking of plastic waste can produce valuable products with manageable effects on the environment as compared to landfilling and incineration. This research focused on the process simulation and life cycle assessment of the pyrolysis and hydrocracking of high-density polyethylene. Aspen Plus was used as the simulator and the Peng-Robinson thermodynamic model was employed as a fluid package. Additionally, sensitivity analysis was conducted in order to optimize product distribution. Based on the simulation, the hydrocracking process produced value-added fuels, i.e., gasoline and natural gas. In contrast, pyrolysis generated a significant quantity of pyrolysis oil with a high number of cyclo-compounds and char, which are the least important to be utilized as fuels. Moreover, in the later part of the study, life cycle assessment (LCA) was adopted in order to investigate and quantify their impact upon the environment using simulation inventory data, which facilitates finding a sustainable process. Simapro was used as a tool for LCA of the processes and materials used. The results demonstrate that hydrocracking is a better process in terms of environmental impact in 10 out of the 11 impact categories. Overall, the present study proposed a promising comparison based on energy demands, product distribution, and potential environmental impacts, which will help to improve plastic waste management.
- Subjects
PRODUCT life cycle assessment; HYDROCRACKING; PLASTICS; PYROLYSIS; PLASTIC scrap recycling; HIGH density polyethylene; REFUSE containers; PLASTIC scrap; GASOLINE
- Publication
Molecules, 2022, Vol 27, Issue 22, p8084
- ISSN
1420-3049
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/molecules27228084