Investigation of proximate and ultimate analysis of household generated plastic waste for feasible design of a pyrolysis pilot plant

Emifoniye, Early Ufuoma and Erameh, Andrew Amagbor and Orhorhoro, Ejiroghene Kelly (2025) Investigation of proximate and ultimate analysis of household generated plastic waste for feasible design of a pyrolysis pilot plant. World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 15 (1). pp. 2107-2118. ISSN 2582-8266

Due to their various chemical structures, long chain polymeric compositions, and thermal/decomposition behavior of plastic waste (PW), it is challenging to recycle it into hydrocarbon fuels. Thus, is necessary to carry out proximate and ultimate of plastic because this will enable proper design of a feasible pilot plant for management of plastic waste (PW). In this study LDPE (low-density polyethylene), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were the evaluated PW samples. In accordance with ASTM standards E790, E897, and E830, respectively, the proximate analyses of PW's moisture content, volatiles, and ash content were carried out. A Vario Micro Element Analyzer was used to determine the PW's ultimate analysis. To determine how the composition of plastic waste (PW) changed with temperature and time, the mass loss of PW was measured using a thermogravimetric analyzer (SII 6300 EXSTAR, Seiko Instruments Inc., Tokyo, Japan. A bomb calorimeter (ASTM D 5865-85), which measures the heat produced at a constant temperature of 298 K from the burning of a dry sample, was used to experimentally calculate the heating value (HV). The results obtained revealed that all PW samples had a percentage volatile matter content ranging from 88.66 to 99.57%. Also, all the PW samples used had a low proportion of ash, ranging from 0.149% to 7.571%. Carbon and hydrogen make up the majority of all PW samples taken into consideration in the study, with trace levels of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur. Besides, PET PW was shown to have the greatest H/C ratio. The following is the order of the H/C ratio's performance: LDPE (0.1971) < HDPE (0.2034) < PET (0.1188) < PVC (0.1278) < PS (0.1290) < PP (0.1737). The study's findings demonstrated the potential for PW energy availability, and more significantly, the information gathered would help with the construction of a pyrolysis pilot plant.