El plastic Plastic is one of the most widely used materials worldwide, but also one of the most harmful to the environment. Objects and packaging made from different types of plastic accumulate quickly and, unfortunately, a large part of them are not recycled. According to recent studies, plastics are significantly contributing to global pollution, especially in oceans and landfills.
However, there are emerging solutions that not only allow recycling these plastic wastes, but also generate energy benefits. Such is the case of the process of converting plastics into clean and cheap fuelIt is estimated that one tonne of plastic can generate around 760 litres of diesel, which represents a viable alternative to the growing scarcity of fossil fuels.
The pyrolysis process
An increasingly popular method for converting plastic waste into fuel is pyrolysis, a thermochemical decomposition process that occurs in the absence of oxygen. This process converts plastics into liquid fuels such as diesel, gasoline and kerosene, through the use of high temperatures. The most promising aspect of this technique is that it can take advantage of a wide variety of plastics present in urban waste, which are difficult to recycle using other methods.
The process begins with sorting the plastics, which are then cut into smaller pieces. These pieces are placed in a special reactor, which is heated to high temperatures under a controlled oxygen-free environment, causing the plastic material to break down. As they are heated, the plastics break down into a gas, which is then condensed into a liquid similar to heavy crude oil. This liquid is then refined to obtain different products such as diesel, gasoline and kerosene.
Pyrolysis also has the advantage of generating clean by-products: when the gas is condensed, the contaminating components of the plastic are removed or filtered out. This makes it possible to produce high-quality fuels with reduced levels of sulphur and contaminating particles.
Innovative companies in the production of fuel from plastics
On a global scale, there are several companies that are leading the way in transforming plastic waste into fuel. In Europe, a firm called Cynar, located in Ireland, has developed a plant capable of processing one tonne of plastic waste to produce 665 litres of diesel, 190 litres of petrol and 95 litres of kerosene.
In Spain, the company WPR Global WPR Global has opened a plant in the Region of Murcia that has the capacity to recycle up to 6.000 kilograms of plastic per day, generating up to 6.000 liters of fuel. This project is a tangible example of how the circular economy can play a key role in the transition towards a more sustainable society. In addition, WPR Global's plant will not only generate low-cost fuels, mitigating dependence on fossil fuels, but will also reduce CO2 emissions by 40 tons per year by avoiding the burning of plastics.
Environmental and economic benefits
One of the main advantages of using plastics for biofuel production is that it allows us to simultaneously address two global problems: the accumulation of plastic waste and the scarcity of fossil fuels. Recycling this waste through pyrolysis or similar processes can generate valuable products and reduce dependence on crude oil.
In addition, by preventing much of the plastic waste from ending up in landfills or in the ocean, it contributes to reducing environmental pollution, especially that caused by microplastics, which are dangerous for marine fauna.
Economically, these types of treatment plants represent a significant opportunity for savings. According to estimates, the cost of producing fuel from plastics is considerably lower than that of traditional fuels, allowing industries to reduce their energy costs. For example, the fuel produced by WPR Global's plant costs less than 50 cents per litre.
Applications of the fuel obtained
The fuel produced by pyrolysis has several applications. diesel The diesel obtained can be used in tractors, trucks, ships and other heavy machinery. In addition, this type of diesel has characteristics comparable to traditional fossil fuels, such as a cetane number of 60 in the case of diesel and octane ratings ranging from 92 to 96 in gasoline, which ensures efficient performance.
Thanks to the properties of the resulting fuels, they can also be used in power generators and other key sectors of the economy. This means greater energy independence for many countries, which is crucial given that most nations are heavily dependent on oil imports.
Another potential boost for this type of production is its viability in agricultural or rural populations, where farmers can transform agricultural waste and plastics into biofuels for their own electric generators or vehicles.
In short, the transformation of plastics into fuels represents a viable and beneficial solution for both the environment and the global economy. With the advancement of pyrolysis technology and the increase in specialized plants, it is expected that in the coming years more countries will adopt this technology, contributing to greater sustainability and energy autonomy.
How to make fuels with plastic waste
Where do I get a machine with a capacity of 250 kgr / hr, that produces diesel, gasoline and kerosene? Cost?