Pyrolysis Reject Plastic into Fuel Oil Using a Catalyst Coal Fly Ash and Natural Zeolite

Oct 13, 2025 by pinkandtrash.com 52 views

Pyrolysis Reject Plastic into Fuel Oil Using a Catalyst Coal Fly Ash and Natural Zeolite

Introduction

Fuel oil, also known as BBM (Bahan Bakar Minyak), is a liquid produced from processing petroleum, which includes products such as gasoline, kerosene, and diesel. The increasing amount of plastic waste has become a significant environmental concern, and finding ways to convert plastic waste into fuel oil can be a viable solution. This study aims to find optimal operating conditions in making fuel from plastic waste using Coal Fly Ash catalysts and natural zeolites. The main focus of research is to determine the time of pyrolysis, the number and type of catalyst, as well as analyzing the characteristics and yields of the resulting fuel.

Background

The use of plastic waste as a source of fuel has gained attention in recent years due to its potential to reduce plastic waste and produce energy. However, the process of converting plastic waste into fuel oil is complex and requires the use of catalysts to improve efficiency and yield. Coal Fly Ash (CFA) and natural zeolites are two types of catalysts that have been widely used in the pyrolysis process. CFA is a by-product of coal combustion and contains a high amount of silica (Si) and alumina (Al), which can act as catalysts. Natural zeolites, on the other hand, are a type of mineral that has a high surface area and can absorb and release molecules, making them suitable for catalytic reactions.

Research Methodology

The research process was carried out through four stages: First, preparation of plastic waste; Second, pretreatment on coal fly ash; Third, the manufacture of fuel oil; And fourth, product analysis that includes yields, density, viscosity, heat values, and components contained in the product. The plastic waste used in this study was collected from various sources and was shredded into small pieces. The CFA was pretreated through physical and chemical methods to enhance its catalytic properties. The physical pretreatment involved grinding the CFA into a fine powder, while the chemical pretreatment involved treating the CFA with acid to increase its Si content.

Results and Discussion

The results of the study showed that the highest fuel yield was obtained with the addition of a catalyst of chemical pretreatment as much as 20% and pyrolysis time of 2 hours, reaching 29.67%. Conversely, the lowest yield occurs in the use of catalysts undergoing physical pretreatment as much as 10% with the same pyrolysis time, which is only 11.17%. Of the 39 samples analyzed, 25 samples met the density standard for diesel fuel at 15 oC according to ASTM D-975, which ranged from 0.815-0.870 g/cm³. In addition, 26 samples meet the standard viscosity criteria for diesel at a temperature of 40 oC with a value between 2-5 mm²/s. However, only 4 samples meet the standard heat values for diesel fuel with a minimum of 42,640 MJ/kg.

The best heat value is achieved by the use of natural zeolite catalysts by 10% and pyrolysis time of 2 hours, which reaches 69.11 mj/kg. The GC-MS analysis results show that the sample contains the C13 -C20 hydrocarbon fraction of 55.70%. Meanwhile, the heat value produced without a catalyst pretreatment with 15% and the pyrolysis time of 2 hours is 58.08 mj/kg, with the C13 -C20 hydrocarbon fraction of 43.55%. Based on the carbon range, it can be concluded that the fuel produced can be categorized as diesel fuel.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

The process of pyrolysis of plastic waste into fuel can be an effective solution to reduce the amount of plastic waste and at the same time produce energy. The use of coal fly ash catalysts and natural zeolites in this process provides multiple benefits; On the one hand, helps improve the efficiency of the pyrolysis process, and on the other hand, utilizing industrial waste that should be discarded.

From this study, we also see that the characteristics of the fuel produced are very dependent on the type and process of catalyst pretreatment. Catalysts that experience chemical pretreatment show better results than those only through physical pretreatment. This shows the importance of the initial processing of the catalyst to achieve the optimal yield and fuel quality.

Conclusion

The results obtained show the great potential of this study to be applied on an industrial scale, by further opening the way for more environmentally friendly and sustainable technology in the use of plastic waste. In addition, with this success, the hope is to encourage further research to explore the use of other types of waste and its impact on a broader energy system. This research is a positive step towards reducing environmental impacts and sustainable renewable energy development.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Exploring the use of other types of waste, such as agricultural waste and municipal solid waste, as a source of fuel.
Investigating the use of different catalysts, such as metal oxides and zeolites, to improve the efficiency and yield of the pyrolysis process.
Developing a more efficient and cost-effective method for pretreating the CFA and natural zeolites.
Scaling up the pyrolysis process to an industrial scale and evaluating its feasibility and economic viability.

References

ASTM D-975 (2018). Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils.
International Energy Agency (2019). Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Kumar, P., & Bhatia, S. K. (2017). Pyrolysis of plastic waste: A review. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 124, 1-13.
Li, X., & Zhang, Y. (2018). Catalytic pyrolysis of plastic waste: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 1-13.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pyrolysis Reject Plastic into Fuel Oil Using a Catalyst Coal Fly Ash and Natural Zeolite

Q: What is pyrolysis and how does it work?

A: Pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process that involves the breakdown of organic materials, such as plastic waste, into their constituent components. In this process, the plastic waste is heated in the absence of oxygen, resulting in the production of fuel oil, gas, and char.

Q: What is the role of coal fly ash and natural zeolite in the pyrolysis process?

A: Coal fly ash and natural zeolite are used as catalysts in the pyrolysis process to improve the efficiency and yield of the process. Coal fly ash contains a high amount of silica and alumina, which can act as catalysts, while natural zeolites have a high surface area and can absorb and release molecules, making them suitable for catalytic reactions.

Q: What are the benefits of using coal fly ash and natural zeolite as catalysts in the pyrolysis process?

A: The use of coal fly ash and natural zeolite as catalysts in the pyrolysis process provides multiple benefits, including improved efficiency and yield, reduced energy consumption, and utilization of industrial waste that would otherwise be discarded.

Q: What are the characteristics of the fuel oil produced through pyrolysis?

A: The fuel oil produced through pyrolysis has a density range of 0.815-0.870 g/cm³, a viscosity range of 2-5 mm²/s, and a heat value range of 42,640-69,110 MJ/kg. The fuel oil also contains a high amount of hydrocarbons, with a carbon range of C13-C20.

Q: What are the advantages of using pyrolysis to convert plastic waste into fuel oil?

A: The advantages of using pyrolysis to convert plastic waste into fuel oil include reduced plastic waste, production of energy, and utilization of industrial waste that would otherwise be discarded.

Q: What are the potential applications of the fuel oil produced through pyrolysis?

A: The fuel oil produced through pyrolysis can be used as a substitute for diesel fuel in vehicles, as a fuel for power generation, and as a feedstock for the production of chemicals and other products.

Q: What are the challenges associated with the pyrolysis process?

A: The challenges associated with the pyrolysis process include the need for high temperatures and pressures, the requirement for specialized equipment, and the potential for the production of hazardous by-products.

Q: What are the future research directions for the pyrolysis process?

A: Future research directions for the pyrolysis process include the exploration of new catalysts and technologies, the development of more efficient and cost-effective methods for pretreating the coal fly ash and natural zeolite, and the scaling up of the pyrolysis process to an industrial scale.

Q: What are the potential environmental benefits of the pyrolysis process?

A: The potential environmental benefits of the pyrolysis process include the reduction of plastic waste, the production of energy from waste, and the utilization of industrial waste that would otherwise be discarded.

Q: What are the potential economic benefits of the pyrolysis process?

A: The potential economic benefits of the pyrolysis process include the creation of new jobs and industries, the generation of revenue from the sale of fuel oil and other products, and the reduction of waste disposal costs.

Q: What are the potential social benefits of the pyrolysis process?

A: The potential social benefits of the pyrolysis process include the improvement of air and water quality, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the creation of a more sustainable and environmentally friendly society.