Generation and Combustion Emissions of Trash to Tank Fuel Derived from Plastic Waste

Trash to Tank is a concept based on the conversion of waste plastic trash into a liquid fuel, suitable for use in diesel or kerosene fuel applications. This contribution focuses on both an experimental and theoretical analysis of generation and combustion emissions of waste plastic derived fuels, comparing them with petroleum derived diesel fuel. Results of theoretical calculations and experiments to measure the pyrolysis reaction energy, heating value, carbon dioxide emissions and the corresponding total generation and production emissions will be presented. The waste plastic feedstock utilized in this study include, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. Thermal decomposition was conducted via slow pyrolysis at 450°C in a batch reactor for each of these materials. Potential benefits to the global environment from the use of Trash to Tank fuels as replacements for petroleum derived fuels will be further discussed.