The Effect of Temperature on the Pyrolysis PP and LDPE Plastic Waste: Implications for Pyrolysis Fuel Oil Characteristics

Abstract

The accumulation of plastic waste continues to rise, necessitating effective solutions for its management. Pyrolysis is a promising method for converting plastic waste into liquid fuel by breaking down long hydrocarbon chains into shorter ones. This thermochemical process occurs at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, producing fuel that can be utilized. This study focuses on the experimental extraction of fuel oil from two types of plastic waste: polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Through pyrolysis, the study also investigates the effect of temperature variations on the properties and characteristics of the resulting fuel oil. A total of 750 grams of PP and LDPE plastic waste were used, with pyrolysis temperatures ranging from 250°C to 350°C for a duration of 2 hours. The fuel oil was analysed using density tests, combustion rate analysis, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the highest yield of fuel oil, 280 ml, was obtained from LDPE waste at a pyrolysis temperature of 350°C. The density of the produced fuel varied between 0.730–0.750 g/ml. GC-MS analysis revealed that the fuel oil consisted of hydrocarbon chains ranging from C7 to C12.