A new study published by experts from The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies have showed that plastic from used personal protective equipment (PPE) can, and should, be transformed into renewable liquid fuels. The study has been published in the peer-reviewed Taylor & Francis journal Biofuels.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Sapna Jain explains that the transformation of PPE into biocrude, a type of synthetic fuel, will not just prevent the severe after-effects to the environment but also produce a source of energy”.
She explains that the proposed strategy is a suggestive measure addressing the anticipated problem of disposal of PPE. During the current COVID-19 pandemic specifically, PPE is being designed for single use followed by disposal. Once these plastic materials are discharged into the environment they end up in landfill or oceans, as their natural degradation is difficult at ambient temperature. They need decades to decompose. Recycling these polymers requires both physical methods and chemical methods. Reduction, reuse and recycling are the three pillars of sustainable development that can help to prevent the disposal of plastic to the environment.
The research team reviewed many related research articles while focusing on the structure of polypropylene, its suitability for PPE, and why it poses an environmental threat and methods of recycling this polymer. Their conclusive findings suggest that PPE waste to be converted into fuel using pyrolysis. It is a chemical process for breaking down plastic at high temperature without oxygen. “Pyrolysis is the most commonly used chemical method whose benefits include the ability to produce high quantities of bio-oil which is easily biodegradable. There is always a need for alternative fuels or energy resources to meet our energy demands. The pyrolysis of plastics is one of the methods to mitigate our energy crisis,” says Dr. Bhawna Yadav Lamba, co-author of the study. She concludes by saying that the liquid fuel produced from plastics is clean and has fuel properties similar to fossil fuels.”
