Liquid fuel production thermal degradation of mixed plastic waste

In this study, a mixture of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) was pyrolyzed at a temperature range of 350-400 °C for two hours to produce hydrocarbon liquid, which was then distilled at a temperature range of 150-275 °C to recover the target kerosene fraction. The resulting kerosene had a calorific value of 43150.1 MJ/Kg, a sulphur content of 0.01, a flash point of 121, a smoke point of 24.8, a specific gravity of 0.733, water content of 0.08, and a copper corrosion rating of 1a. The physicochemical properties were generally within acceptable limits for commercial Household Kerosene (HHK), although the water content, acid value, and API gravity were slightly outside the standard. This study, therefore, proffers a solution to the menace of environmental pollution and energy crisis, which has given rise to the prevalence of artisanal refining and adulteration, leading to disastrous consequences such as property damage and even death.