Modelling of the Co-gasification of Waste Plastic and Biomass using Oxygen-CO2 Mixtures

• Published in: Computer Aided Chemical Engineering Vol. 53; pp. 361 - 366
• Main Authors: Khumalo, Nomadlozi L., Patel, Bilal
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: blend ratio; co-gasification; equivalence ratio; plastic waste; synergistic effect; blend ratio; plastic waste; co-gasification; equivalence ratio; synergistic effect
• ISBN: 9780443288241; 0443288240
• ISSN: 1570-7946
• DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-443-28824-1.50061-2

Gasification provides a promising solution for valorizing plastic waste by using high temperatures and gasifying agents to convert the waste into versatile syngas. However, the gasification of plastic waste comes with various operational challenges. Co-gasifying plastic waste with biomass offers several advantages, including the reduction of operational challenges, decreased tar formation, and the production of syngas with improved quality and higher energy content. The study investigates the impact of various factors on the syngas produced from the cogasification of sawdust (SD) and plastic waste (low-density polyethylene, PE) using different blend ratios (BRs) of PE (25 %, 50 %, and 75 %) and different operating conditions, including equivalence ratio (ER) and CO2/C ratios (0.6 and 1.4). The study utilized a non-stoichiometric equilibrium model within Aspen Plus to analyze the cogasification process. The key findings include the production of syngas with high hydrogen (H2) content, high Lower Heating Value (LHV) of 9.2 MJ/Nm3, and high H2/CO ratios. These favorable outcomes were achieved at low ER values below 0.4 and a CO2/C ratio equal to 0.6.