Plastics to Energy: Fuel, Chemicals, and Sustainability Implications

While the ideal end-of-life route for plastic materials is in recycling, this is not always possible, due to contamination, difficulty in separating different plastic types, and other factors. Conversion of plastics and polymers to energy is an alternative route that represents an alternative for disposing of non-recyclable plastics in landfill. This book covers the main processes and pathways of conversion of polymeric materials to energy, fuel and chemicals.

A particular focus is placed on industrial case studies, and academic reviews of the latest research and development in this area. The book has a practical emphasis to enable plastics practitioners involved in end-of-life aspects to employ these processes. The book will also examine life cycle and cost analysis of different plastic waste management processes, exploring the potential of various techniques in modelling, optimization, and simulation of waste management options.

The book covers the important trends in the science and technology of polymer recovery, such as themo-chemical treatment of plastics, the impact of environmental degradation on mechanical recycling, incineration and thermal unit design, and the new options in biodegradable plastics. The book also introduces product development opportunities from waste materials.

Introduces new pathways for end-of-life treatment of plastics and polymers, including conversion to energy, fuel and other chemicalsCompares different options to assist materials scientists, engineers, and waste management practitioners to choose the most effective, sustainable optionCovers the latest trends in the science and technology of polymer energy recovery

Part 1: Plastics and Plastic Solid Waste (PSW) 1. Introduction 2. Major Technologies Implemented for Chemicals and Fuel Recovery 3. Energy Production from Plastic Solid Waste (PSW) 4. The Sustainability Challenge in the Context of Polymer Degradation

Part II: Products Recovery From Plastics 5. Feedstock and Optimal Operation for Plastics to Fuel Conversion in Pyrolysis 6. Catalytic Conversion and Chemical Recovery 7. Fuel Properties Associated with Catalytic Conversion of Plastics 8. Design and Limitations in Polymer Cracking Fluidised Beds for Energy Recovery) 9. Kinetic Studies Related to Polymer Degradation and Stability 10. Gasification of Plastic Solid Waste and Competitive Technologies 11. The Valorisation of Plastic via Thermal Means: Industrial Scale Combustion Methods 12. Emissions and Environmental Burdens Associated with Plastic Solid Waste Management

Part III: Sustainable Implications 13. From Waste to Resources: How to Integrate Recycling into the Production Cycle of Plastics 14. Bio-Plastics: Is It The Way In Future Developments For End Users? A note on dissolution of waste polymers in Bio-Fuels 15. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in Municipal Waste Decision Making 16. Can Biodegradation Solve Plastic Waste Accumulation? 17. Optimization Frameworks in Resource Management and Process Engineering 18. Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) 19. The role of biodegradation in solving plastic solid waste accumulation 20. Research and Development (R&D) Strategies: The Way Forward as we See it