Conference article

Application of Mechanical Heat Treatment for the Recovery of Plastics as Energy Resource

Jyi-Yeong Tseng
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Zang-Sie Hung
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Chia-Chi Chang
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Yen-Chi Wang
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Dar-Ren Ji
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Chun-Han Ko
School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Yi-Hung Chen
Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan

Je-Leung Shie
Department of Environmental Engineering, National I-Lan University, I-Lani, Taiwan

Yuan-Shen Li
Department of Environmental Engineering, National I-Lan University, I-Lani, Taiwan

Chungfang Ho Chang
Department of International Trade, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan

Sheng-Wei Chiang
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Shi Guan Wang
Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Environmental Protection Administration, Chung-Li, Taiwan

Kuang Wei Liu
Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Environmental Protection Administration, Chung-Li, Taiwan

Ching-Yuan Chang
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Download articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp110573231

Published in: World Renewable Energy Congress - Sweden; 8-13 May; 2011; Linköping; Sweden

Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 57:30, p. 3231-3238

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Published: 2011-11-03

ISBN: 978-91-7393-070-3

ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)

Abstract

The mechanical heat treatment (MHT) is one of the pre-treatment alternatives for conditioning the municipal solid waste (MSW) before its further separation; recovery and reuse. The MHT would result in the change of properties of constituents of MSW; making it suitable for separation. For example; the plastics may be softened and shrunken. Therefore; the MSW via the pre-MHT can be more easily separated into various fractions of resources such as metals; plastics; compost-like and primary refuse derived fuel (RDF) or bio-char for further re-utilization.

The objective of this study was to examine the efficiency and effective of energy recovery and volume downsize of plastics via MHT process. The commonly used plastic; high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was tested. The changes of weight; triple components; true density and calorific value of target plastic before and after the MHT with saturated steam at 100; 150 and 180 oC were examined. The effects of temperature on the performance of MHT were assessed. The results indicated that an increase of MHT temperature induces more significant shrinkage and higher volume density; enhancing its feasibility for the separation from non-plastic materials. The information obtained in this study is useful for the rational design and proper operation of MHT system for treating the used plastics in the MSW and separating it for the re-utilization as energy resource.

Keywords

Energy resource; Mechanical heat treatment; MHT; Municipal solid waste; MSW

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