Municipal Waste Plastic conversion into Different Category Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuel

1. Introduction

Plastics were first invented in 1860, but have only been widely used in the last 30 years. Plastics are light, durable, modifiable and hygienic. Plastics are made up of long chain of molecules called polymers. Polymers are made when naturally occurring substances such as crude oil or petroleum are transformed into other substances with completely different properties. These polymers can then be made into granules, powders and liquids, becoming raw materials for plastic products. Worldwide plastics production increases 80 million tons every year. Global production and consumption of plastics have increased, from less than 5 million tons in the year 1950 to 260 million tons in the year 2007. Of those over one third is being used for packaging, while rest is used for other sectors. Plastic production has increased by more than 500% over the past 30 years. Per capita consumption of plastics will increase by more than 50% during the next decades. In the Western Europe total annual household waste generation is approximately 500 kg per capita and 750 kg per capita in the United States; 12% of this total waste is plastics. The global total waste plastic generation is estimated to be over 210 million tons per year. US alone generate 48 million tons per year (Stat data from EPA). The growth in plastics use is due to their beneficial characteristics; 21^st century Economic growth making them even more suitable for a wide variety of applications, such as: food and product packaging, car manufacturing, agricultural use, housing products and etc. Because of good safety and hygiene properties for food packaging, excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties, plastics are more desirable among consumers. Low production cost, lower energy consumption and CO₂ emissions during production of plastics are relatively lower than making alternative materials, such as glass, metals and etc. Yet for all their advantages, plastics have a considerable downside in terms of their environmental impact. Plastic production requires large amounts of resources, primarily fossil fuels and 8% of the world’s annual oil production is used in the production of plastics. Potentially harmful chemicals are added as stabilizers or colorants. Many of these have not undergone environmental risk assessment and their impact on human health and environment is currently uncertain. Worldwide municipal sites like shops or malls had the largest proportion of plastic rubbish items. Ocean soup swirling the debris of plastics trash in the Pacific Ocean has now grown to a size that is twice as large as the continental US. In 2006, 11.5 million of tons of plastics were wasted in the landfill. These types of disposal of the waste plastics release toxic gas; which has negative impact on environment. Most plastics are non-biodegradable and they take long time to break down in landfill, estimated to be more than a century. Plastic waste also has a detrimental impact on wild life; plastic waste in the oceans is estimated to cause the death of more than a million seabirds and more than 100,000 marine mammals every year (UN Environmental Program Estimate). Along with this hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year eating discarded waste plastic bags mistaken for food. Setting up intermediate treatment plants for waste plastic, such as: plastic incineration, recycle, or obtaining the landfill for reclamation is difficult. The types of the waste plastics are LDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, PETE, PLA and etc. The problems of waste plastics can’t be solved by landfilling or incineration, because the safety deposits are expensive and incineration stimulates the growing emission of harmful green house gases, e.g COx, NOx, SOx and etc. By using NSR’s new technology we can convert all types of waste plastics into liquid hydrocarbon fuel by setting temperature profile 370° C to 420° C, we can resolve all waste plastic problems including land, ocean, river and green house effects. Many of researcher and experts have done a lot of research and work on waste plastics; some of the thesis’s are on thermal degradation process [1-10], pyrolysis process [11-20] and catalytic conversion process [21-30]. Producing fuels can be alternative of heating oil, gasoline, naphtha, aviation, diesel and fuel oil. We also produce light gaseous (natural gas) hydrocarbon compound (C₁-C₄), such as: methane, ethane, propane and butane. This process is profitable because it requires less production cost per gallon. We can produce individual plastic to fuel, mixed waste plastic to fuel and that produced fuel can make different category fuels by using further fractional distillation process. This NSR technology will not only reduce the production cost of fuel, but it will also reduce 9% of foreign oil dependency, create more electricity and new jobs all over the world. To mitigate the present world market demand, we can substitute this method as a potential source of new renewable energy.

2. Experimental section

2.1. Waste plastics properties

A plastic has physical and chemical properties. Different types of plastics displayed distinguishable characteristics and properties. Many kinds of plastics are appeared like LDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC &PETE etc. Several individual plastics properties are elaborated in shortly, that’s given below in Table-1, Table-2, Table-3and Table-4.

Quantity	Value	Units
Thermal expansion	110 - 130	e-6/K
Thermal conductivity	0.46 - 0.52	W/m.K
Specific heat	1800 - 2700	J/kg.K
Melting temperature	108 - 134	°C
Glass temperature	-110 - -110	°C
Service temperature	-30 - 85	°C
Density	940 - 965	kg/m^3
Resistivity	5e+17 - 1e+21	Ohm.mm^2/m
Shrinkage	2 - 4	%
Water absorption	0.01 - 0.01	%

Table 1.

HDPE-2 Plastic Properties

Quantity	Value	Units
Thermal expansion	150 - 200	e-6/K
Thermal conductivity	0.3 - 0.335	W/m.K
Specific heat	1800 - 3400	J/kg.K
Melting temperature	125 - 136	°C
Glass temperature	-110 - -110	°C
Service temperature	-30 - 70	°C
Density	910 - 928	kg/m^3
Resistivity	5e+17 - 1e+21	Ohm.mm^2/m
Breakdown potential	17.7 - 39.4	kV/mm
Shrinkage	1.5 - 3	%
Water absorption	0.005 - 0.015	%

Table 2.

LDPE-4 Plastic Properties

Quantity	Value	Units
Thermal expansion	180 - 180	e-6/K
Thermal conductivity	0.22 - 0.22	W/m.K
Melting temperature	160 - 165	°C
Glass temperature	-10 - -10	°C
Service temperature	-10 - 110	°C
Density	902 - 907	kg/m^3
Resistivity	5e+21 - 1e+22	Ohm.mm^2/m
Breakdown potential	55 - 90	kV/mm
Shrinkage	0.8 - 2	%

Table 3.

PP-5 Plastic Properties

Quantity	Value	Units
Thermal expansion	60 - 80	e-6/K
Thermal conductivity	0.14 - 0.16	W/m.K
Specific heat	1300 - 1300	J/kg.K
Glass temperature	80 - 98	°C
Service temperature	-10 - 90	°C
Density	1040 - 1050	kg/m^3
Resistivity	1e+22 - 1e+22	Ohm.mm^2/m
Breakdown potential	100 - 160	kV/mm
Shrinkage	0.3 - 0.7	%

Table 4.

PS-6 Plastic Properties

2.2. Pre analysis of Gas Chromatography & Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) analysis

Before starting the fuel production experiment, we have analyzed each of the individual raw waste plastics. Types of analyzed raw waste plastics are following, HDPE-2 (High Density Polyethylene), LDPE-4 (Low Density Polyethylene), PP-5 (Polypropylene) and PS-6 (Polystyrene)

Figure 1.

GC/MS Chromatogram of HDPE-2 Raw Waste Plastic

Retention Time	Compound Name	Formula	Retention Time	Compound Name	Formula
2.14	Propane	C3H8	22.62	Tetradecane	C14H30
2.23	3-Butyn-1-ol	C4H6O	24.57	1,13-Tetradecadiene	C14H26
17.61	Dodecane	C12H26	40.94	1,19-Eicosadiene	C20H38
19.78	1,13-Tetradecadiene	C14H26	41.02	1-Docosene	C22H44
20.00	1-Tridecene	C13H26	42.48	1-Docosene	C22H44
20.19	Tridecane	C13H28	43.89	1-Tetracosanol	C24H50O
22.24	1,13-Tetradecadiene	C14H26	45.28	9-Tricosene, (Z)-	C23H46
22.45	Cyclotetradecane	C14H28	46.76	17-Pentatriacontene	C35H70

Table 4.

GC/MS Compound List of HDPE-2 Waste Plastic

Figure 2.

GC/MS Chromatogram of LDPE-4 Raw Waste Plastic

Retention Time; (Minutes)	Compound Name	Formula	Retention Time; (Minutes)	Compound Name	Formula
2.11	Propane	C3H8	17.13	1,11-Dodecadiene	C12H22
2.19	Cyclopropyl carbinol	C4H8O	17.37	Cyclododecane	C12H24
11.44	1,9-Decadiene	C10H18	33.62	1-Nonadecene	C19H38
11.73	Cyclodecane	C10H20
11.95	Decane	C10H22	35.87	1,19-Eicosadiene	C20H38
14.35	1,10-Undecadiene	C11H20	36.08	1-Heneicosyl formate	C22H44O2
14.61	1-Undecene	C11H22	42.76	1-Docosanol	C22H46O
14.84	Undecane	C11H24	47.91	9-Tricosene, (Z)-	C23H46

Table 5.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound list of LDPE-4 Raw Waste Plastic

Figure 3.

GC/MS Chromatogram of PP-5 Raw Waste Plastic

Retention Time (Minutes)	Compound Name	Formula	Retention Time (Minutes)	Compound Name	Formula
2.13	Cyclopropane	C3H6	12.29	Decane, 4-methyl-	C11H24
2.26	1-Butyne	C4H6	14.18	2-Dodecene, (E)-	C12H24
9.36	1,6-Octadiene, 2,5-dimethyl-, (E)-	C10H18	26.35	1-Hexadecanol, 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-	C20H42O
11.71	Nonane, 2-methyl-3-methylene-	C11H22	31.52	1-Heneicosyl formate	C22H44O2
11.78	1-Ethyl-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexane	C11H22	32.51	1-Nonadecanol	C19H40O
12.17	Nonane, 2,6-dimethyl-	C11H24	33.98	1,22-Docosanediol	C22H46O2

Table 6.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound List of PP-5 Raw Waste Plastic

Figure 4.

GC/MS Chromatogram of PS-6 Raw Waste Plastic

Retention Time (Minutes)	Compound Name	Formula	Retention Time (Minutes)	Compound Name	Formula
2.17	Cyclopropane	C3H6	24.78	1,1'-Biphenyl, 3-methyl-	C13H12
2.24	Methylenecyclopro-pane	C4H6	25.64	1,2-Diphenylethylene	C14H12
5.52	Toluene	C7H8	27.30	1,2-Diphenylcyclopropane	C15H14
20.09	1,4-Methanonaphthalene, 1,4-dihydro-	C11H10	37.35	Naphthalene, 1-(phenylmethyl)-	C17H14
20.28	Benzocyclohepta-triene	C11H10	37.63	p-Terphenyl	C18H14
20.67	Naphthalene, 1-methyl-	C11H10	38.79	Fluoranthene, 2-methyl-	C17H12
22.32	Biphenyl	C12H10	39.83	Benzene, 1,1'-[1-(ethylthio)propylidene]bis-	C17H20S
23.52	Diphenylmethane	C13H12	40.13	Benzene, 1,1',1'',1'''-(1,2,3,4-butanetetrayl)tetrakis-	C28H26

Table 7.

GC/MS Chromatogram of PS-6 Raw Waste Plastic Compound List

Individual raw waste plastics of GCMS pre-analysis in accordance with their numerous retention times many compound are found, some of them are mentioned shortly. In HDPE-2 raw waste plastics on retention time 2.14, compound is Propane (C₃H₈), on retention time 22.45, compound is Cyclotetradecane and finally on retention time 46.76 obtained compound is Pentatriacotene (C₃₅H₇₀) [Shown above Fig.1 and Table-4]. In LDPE-4 raw waste plastics on retention time 2.11, compound is Propane (C₃H₈), on retention time 14.84, compound is Undecane (C₁₁H₂₄) and finally on retention time 47.91 obtained compound is 9-Tricosene (Z)-(C₂₃H₄₆) [Shown above Fig.2 and Table-5]. In PP-5 initially on retention time 2.13 compound is Cyclopropane (C₃H₆) and finally on retention time 33.98 obtained compound is 1, 22-Docosanediol (C₂₂H₄₆O₂) [Shown above Fig.3 and Table-6]. Accordingly in PS-6 on retention time 2.17 found compound is Cyclopropane and eventually on retention time 40.13 obtained compound is Benzene, 1,1',1'',1'''-(1,2,3,4-butanetetryl)tetrakis[Shown above Fig.4 and Table-7].

2.3. Sample preparation

We take municipal mixed waste plastics or any other source of mixed waste plastics; we initially sort out the foreign particles, clean the waste plastics and clean wash them with detergent. After clean up all waste plastics spread in the open air for air dry. When dried out we shred them by scissors, now shredded plastics are grinded by grinding machine. Grinded samples structure are granular form small particles and that easy to put into the reactor. In our laboratory facility we can utilize 400g to 3kg of grinding sample for any experimental purposes.

3. Process description

3.1. Individual plastic to fuel production process

The process has been conducted in small scales with individual plastics in laboratory, on various waste plastics types; High-density polyethylene (HDPE, code 2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE, code 4), polypropylene (PP, code 5) and polystyrene (PS, code 6). These plastic types were investigated singly. For small-scale laboratory process the weight of input waste plastics ranges from 400 grams to 3kg. These waste plastics are collected, optionally sorted, cleaned of contaminants, and shredded into small pieces prior to the thermal liquefaction process. The process of converting the waste plastic to alternative energy begins with heating the solid plastic with or without the presence of cracking catalyst to form liquid slurry (thermal liquefaction in the range of 370-420 ºC), condensing the vapor with standard condensing column to form liquid hydrocarbon fuel termed “NSR fuel”. Preliminary tests on the produced NSR fuel have shown that it is a mixture of various hydrocarbons range. The produced fuel density varies based on individual plastic types. In equivalent to obtaining the liquid hydrocarbon fuel we also receive light gaseous hydrocarbon compounds (C₁-C₄) which resembles natural gas. Further fractional distillation based on different temperature is producing different category fuels; such as heating oil, gasoline, Naphtha (chemical), Aviation, Diesel and Fuel Oil. Experiment diagram given below in Fig.5.

3.2. Mixed waste plastic to fuel production process

Mixed waste plastics to fuel production process performed in the laboratory on various waste plastics types; High-density polyethylene (HDPE, code 2), low-density polyethylene

Figure 5.

Individual & Waste Plastic to Fuel Production Process Diagram

(LDPE, code 4), polypropylene (PP, code 5) and polystyrene (PS, code 6). These processes were investigated with mixture of several plastics such as HDPE-2, LDPE-4, and PP-5 &PS-6. These waste plastics are collected, optionally sorted, cleaned of contaminants, and shredded into small pieces prior to the thermal degradation process. The experiment could be randomly mixture of waste plastics or proportional ratio mixture of waste plastics. For small-scale laboratory process the weight of input waste plastics ranges from 300 grams to 3kg. In the laboratory processes our present reactor chamber capacity is 2-3 kg. We put 2 kg of grinding sample into the reactor chamber to expedite the experiment process. At the starting point of experiment reactor temperature set up at 350 ºC for quick melting, after melted temperature maintained manually from “reactor temperature profile menu option” by increasing and decreasing depending to the rate of reaction. The optimum temperature (steady & more fuel production state) is 305 ºC. From 2kg of waste plastics obtained fuel amount is 2 liter 600 ml (2600 ml), fuel density is 0.76 g/ml. We defined the fuel as heating oil named “NSR fuel”. The experiment additionally produced light gases Methane, Ethane, Propane and Butane as well as few amount of carbon ashes as a remaining residue. These light gases would be the alternative source of natural gases. Mixed waste plastic to produced fuel preliminary test indicated that the hydrocarbon compound rage from C₃ to C₂₇.

3.3. Fractional distillation process

Fractional distillation process has been conducted according to the laboratory scale. We measured 700 ml of NSR fuel called heating fuel and took the weight of 1000 ml boiling flask (Glass Reactor). Subsequently fuel poured into the boiling flask, after that we put filled boiling flask in 1000 ml heat mantle as well as connected variac meter with heat mantle. Attached distillation adapter, clump joint, condenser and collection flask with high temperature apiezon grease and insulated by aluminum foil paper. Initially we ran the experiment at 40 ºC to collect gasoline grade, after gasoline collection subsequently we raised the temperature to 110 ºC for naphtha (Chemical), 180 ºC for aviation fuel, 260 º C for diesel fuel and eventually at 340 ºC we found fuel oil. At the end of the experiment remaining residual fuel was less, approximately amount 10-15 ml. Out of 700 ml NSR fuel we collected 125 ml of gasoline; density is 0.72 g/ml, 150 ml of naphtha; density is 0.73, 200 ml of aviation fuel; density is 0.74, 150 ml of diesel fuel; density is 0.80 g/ml and 50-60 ml of fuel oil; density is 0.84.

4. Fuel production yield percentage

After all experiment done on behalf of each experiment we calculated the yield percentages of fuel production, light gases and residue. In addition described the physical properties of each fuel such as fuel density, specific gravity, fuel color and fuel appearance respectively. Similarly, individual fuel production yield percentages & properties are given below in Table 8 (a) & 9 (a) and Mixed Waste Plastics to fuel Yield percentages & properties are also given below in Table 8(b) & 9 (b).

Waste Plastic Name	Fuel Yield %	Light Gas %	Residue %
HDPE-2	89.354	5.345	5.299
LDPE-4	87.972	5.806	6.221
PP-5	91.981	2.073	5.944
PS-6	85.331	4.995	9.674

Table 8a.

Individual Fuel Production Yield Percentage

Sample Name	Fuel Yield %	Light Gas %	Residue %
HDPE,LDPE,PP&PS	90	5	5

Table 8b.

Mixed Waste Plastic to Fuel Yield Percentage

Name of Waste Plastic Fuel	Fuel Density gm/ml	Specific Gravity	Fuel Color	Fuel Appearance
LDPE-4	0.771	0.7702	Yellow, light transparent	Little bit wax and ash content
HDPE-2	0.782	0.7812	Yellow, no transparent	Wax, cloudy and little bit ash content
PP-5	0.759	0.7582	Light brown, light transparent	Little bit wax and ash content
PS-6	0.916	0.9150	Light yellow, not transparent	Wax, cloudy and little bit ash content

Table 9a.

Individual Plastic to Fuel Properties

Name of Fuel	Density g/ml	Specific Gravity	Fuel Color	Fuel
Mixed Plastic to Fuel	0.775	0.7742	Yellow light transparent	Ash contain present

Table 9b.

Mixed Waste Plastic to Fuel Properties

4.1 Fuel analysis and result discussion

4.2. Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) analysis

Analysis of Individual waste plastics (HDPE-2, LDPE-4, PP-5, and PS-6) to individual fuel:

Figure 6.

GC/MS Chromatogram of HDPE-2 Waste Plastic to Fuel

Retention Time (Minutes)	Compound Name	Formula	Retention Time (Minutes)	Compound Name	Formula
1.56	Propane	C3H8	12.18	Cyclopentane, hexyl-	C11H22
1.66	2-Butene, (E)-	C4H8	12.92	1-Dodecene	C12H24
1.68	Butane	C4H10	13.05	Dodecane	C12H26
1.96	Cyclopropane, 1,2-dimethyl-, cis-	C5H10	13.76	Cyclododecane	C12H24
9.65	1-Decene	C10H20	27.98	1-Docosene	C22H44
9.80	Decane	C10H22	28.09	Tetracosane	C24H50
11.35	1-Undecene	C11H22	30.24	1-Docosene	C22H44
11.49	Undecane	C11H24	30.38	Octacosane	C28H58

Table 10.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound List of HDPE-2 Waste Plastic to Fuel

Figure 7.

GC/MS Chromatogram of LDPE-4 Waste Plastic to Fuel

Retention Time; ( Minutes)	Compound Name	Compound Formula	Retention Time; ( Minutes)	Compound Name	Compound Formula
1.55	Cyclopropane	C3H6	12.92	1-Dodecene	C12H24
1.68	Butane	C4H10	13.06	Dodecane	C12H26
1.96	2-Pentene, (E)-	C5H10	13.76	Cyclododecane	C12H24
1.99	Pentane	C5H12	14.40	1-Tridecene	C13H26
10.48	Cyclodecane	C10H20	24.88	Heneicosane	C21H44
10.89	Cyclohexene, 3-(2-methylpropyl)-	C10H18	26.31	Heneicosane	C21H44
11.35	1-Undecene	C11H22	28.09	Tetracosane	C24H50
11.49	Undecane	C11H24	33.21	Octacosane	C28H58

Table 11.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound List of LDPE-4 Waste Plastic to Fuel

Figure 8.

GC/MS Chromatogram of PP-5 Waste Plastic to Fuel

Retention Time (Minute)	Compound Name	Formula	Retention Time (Minute)	Compound Name	Formula
1.55	Cyclopropane	C3H6	11.13	Cyclooctane, 1,4-dimethyl-, cis-	C10H20
1.66	1-Propene, 2-methyl-	C4H8	11.20	1-Tetradecene	C14H28
1.99	Pentane	C5H12	11.86	1-Dodecanol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-	C15H32O
2.48	Pentane, 2-methyl-	C6H14	12.25	(2,4,6-Trimethylcyclohexyl) methanol	C10H20O
9.64	Nonane, 2-methyl-3-methylene-	C11H22	23.13	Dodecane, 1-cyclopentyl-4-(3-cyclopentylypropyl)-	C25H48
9.74	3-Undecene, (Z)-	C11H22	25.72	Cyclotetradecane , 1,7,11-trimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-	C20H40
9.92	Octane, 3,3-dimethyl-	C10H22	28.95	Dodecane, 1-cyclopentyl-4-(3-cyclopentylypropyl)-	C25H48
10.73	3-Decene, 2,2-dimethyl-, (E)-	C12H24

Table 12.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound List of PP-5 Waste Plastic to Fuel

Figure 9.

GC/MS Chromatogram of PS-6 Waste Plastic to Fuel

Retention Time (Minute)	Compound Name	Formula	Retention Time (Minute)	Compound Name	Formula
3.65	1,5-Hexadiyne	C6H6	17.68	Benzene, 1,1’-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis-	C14H14
5.54	Toluene	C7H8	18.03	Benzene, 1,1’-(1-methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)bis-	C15H16
7.94	Styrene	C8H8	19.30	Benzene, 1,1’-(1,3-propanediyl)bis-	C15H16
11.00	Acetophenone	C8H8O	21.61	Naphthalene,1-phenyl-	C16H12
13.07	Naphthalene	C10 H8	21.81	o-Terphenyl	C18H14
15.84	Biphenyl	C12H10	22.83	2-Phenylnaphthalene	C16H12
16.51	Diphenylmethane	C13H12	24.14	9-Phenyl-5H-benzocycloheptene	C17H14
17.22	Benzene,1,1’-ethylidenebis-	C14H14	24.67	p-Terphenyl	C18H14

Table 13.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound List of PS-6 Waste Plastic to Fuel

From GCMS analysis of Individual HDPE-2, LDPE-4, PP-5, and PS-6 fuel, in accordance with their numerous retention times many compounds are found, some of them are mentioned shortly. In HDPE-2 fuel at retention time 1.56, compound is Propane (C₃H₈), and finally at retention time 30.38 obtained compound is Octacosane (C₂₈H₅₈), [Shown above, Fig.6 & Table-10]. In LDPE-4 fuel at retention time 1.55, compound is Cyclopropane (C₃H₆), and finally at retention time 33.21 obtained compound is Octacosane (C₂₈H₅₈) [Shown above, Fig.7 & Table-11]. In PP-5 initially at retention time 1.55 compound is Cyclopropane (C₃H₆) and finally at retention time 28.95 obtained compound is Dodecane,-1-Cyclopentyl-4-(3-Cyclopentylpropyl) (C₂₂H₄₆O₂ ) [Shown above, Fig.8 & Table-12]. Accordingly in PS-6 at retention time 3.65 found compound is 1, 5-Hexadiyne and eventually at retention time 24.67 obtained compound is p-Terphnyl (C₁₈H₁₄) [Shown above, Fig.9 & Table-13].

Analysis of Mixed Waste Plastics to Fuel (Heating Oil):

Figure 10.

GC/MS Chromatogram of Mixed Waste Plastic to Fuel (Heating Oil)

Compound Name	Formula	Compound Name	Formula
Cyclopropane	(C3H6)	Dodecane	(C12H26)
2-Butene, (E)-	(C4H8)	Decane, 2,3,5,8-tetramethyl-	(C14H30)
Pentane	(C5H12)	1-Tridecene	(C13H26)
Pentane, 2-methyl-	(C6H14)	Tridecane	(C13H28)
Cyclopropane, 1-heptyl-2-methyl-	(C11H22)	Heneicosane	(C21H44)
Undecane	(C11H24)	Nonadecane	(C19H40)
1-Dodecanol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-	(C15H32 O)	Benzene, hexadecyl-	(C22H38)
1-Dodecene	(C12H24)	Heptacosane	(C27H56)

Table 14.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound List of Mixed Waste Plastic to Fuel (Heating Oil)

From GCMS analysis of NSR fuel (Called Heating Fuel) primarily we found long chain hydrocarbon of compound. In the GCMS data we have noticed that the obtained compounds are Cyclopropane (C₃H₆) to Heptacosane (C₂₇H₅₆) including long and short chain of hydrocarbon compound [Shown above, Fig.10 & Table-14].

GCMS Analysis of Mixed Waste Plastics to Fractional Distillation Fuel:

Figure 11.

GC/MS Chromatogram of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 1^st Fractional Fuel (Gasoline)

Compound Name	Formula	Compound Name	Formula
1-Propene,2-methyl-	(C4H8)	Heptane	(C7H16)
Butane	(C4H10)	1,4-hexadiene,4-methyl-	(C7H12)
2-Pentene	(C5H10)	1,4-Heptadiene	(C7H12)
2-Pentene,(E)	(C5H10)	Cyclohexane,methyl-	(C7H14)
Cyclohexane	(C6H12)	1-Nonane	(C9H18)
Hexane,3-methyl	(C7H16)	Styrene	(C8H8)
Cyclohexene	(C6H10)	Nonane	(C9H20)
1-Hexene,2-methyl-	(C7H14)	Benzene,(1-methylethyl)-	(C9H12)
1-Heptane	(C7H14)

Table 15.

GC/MS Chromatogram compound list of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 1^st Fractional Fuel (Gasoline)

Figure 12.

GC/MS Chromatogram of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 2^nd Fractional Fuel (Naphtha, Chemical)

Compound Name	Formula	Compound Name	Formula
1-Hexene	(C6H12)	Cyclopentane-butyl-	(C9H8)
Hexane	(C6H14)	Benzene,propyl	(C9H12)
1-Heptene	(C7H14)	a-methylsyrene	(C9H10)
Heptane	(C7H16)	1-Decene	(C10H20)
2,4-dimethyl-1-heptene	(C9H18)	Cyclopropane,1-heptyl-2-methyl-	(C11H22)
Ethylbenzene	(C8H10)	Undecane	(C11H24)
1-Nonene	(C9H18)	1-Dodecene	(C12H24)
Styrene	(C8H8)	Dodecane	(C12H26)
1,3,5,7-Cyclooctatetraene	(C8H8)	Tridecane	(C13H28)
Nonane	(C9H20)	Tetradecdane	(C14H30)

Table 16.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound List of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 2^nd Fractional Fuel (Naphtha, Chemical)

Figure 13.

GC/MS Chromatogram of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 3^rd Fractional Fuel (Aviation)

Retention Time (Min.)	Compound Name	Formula	Retention Time (Min.)	Compound Name	Formula
7.04	Styrene	C8H8	14.93	Tetradecane	C14H30
8.60	a-Methylstyrene	C9H10	16.12	Cyclopentadecane	C15H30
10.18	Cyclooctane,1,4-dimethyl-,cis-	C10H20	16.23	Pentadecane	C15H32
10.38	1-Undecene	C11H22	17.37	1-Hexadecene	C16H32
12.07	Dodecane	C12H26	19.80	E-15-Heptadecanal	C17H32O
13.42	1-Tridecene	C13H26	19.89	Octadecane	C18H38
13.56	Tridecane	C13H28	21.13	Nonadecane	C19H40
14.81	Cyclotetradecane	C14H28	22.45	Eicosane	C20H42

Table 17.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound list of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 3^rd Fractional Fuel (Aviation)

Figure 14.

GC/MS Chromatogram of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 4^th Fractional Fuel (Diesel)

Compound Name	Formula	Compound Name	Formula
Pentane	(C5H12)	1-Pentadecene	(C15H30)
1-Pentene, 2-methyl-	(C6H12)	Pentadecane	(C15H32)
Heptane, 4-methyl-	(C8H18)	1-Nonadecanol	(C19H40 O)
Toluene	(C7H8)	1-Hexadecene	(C16H32)
E-14-Hexadecenal	(C16H30 O)	Eicosane	(C20H42)
4-Tetradecene, (E)-	(C14H28)	Heneicosane	(C21H44)
Tetradecane	(C14H30)	Octacosane	(C28H58)

Table 18.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound List of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 4^th Fractional Fuel (Diesel)

Figure 15.

GC/MS Chromatogram of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 5^th Fractional Fuel (Fuel Oil)

Compound Name	Formula	Compound Name	Formula
1) 1-Propene, 2-methyl-	(C4H8)	16) Tridecane	(C13H28)
2) Pentane	(C5H12)	17) Tetradecane	(C14H30)
3)1-Pentene, 2-methyl-	(C6H12)	18) Pentadecane	(C15H32)
4) Hexane	(C6H14)	19) Hexadecane	(C16H34)
5) Heptane	(C7H16)	20) Benzene, 1,1'-(1,3-propanediyl)bis-	(C15H16)
6) à-Methylstyrene	(C9H10)	27) Heneicosane	(C21H44)
7) Decane	(C10H22)	28) Tetracosane	(C24H50)
8) Undecane	(C11H24)	29) Heptacosane	(C27H56)

Table 19.

GC/MS Chromatogram Compound list of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 5^th Fractional Fuel (Fuel Oil)

GC/MS analysis of fractional distillation fuel, a lot of compound is appeared in each individual fuel. Some of those compounds are mentioned, such as in Gasoline (1^ST Fraction) we found Carbon range C₄ to C₉ and compound is 1-Propene-2-Methyl (C₃H₈) to Benzene, (1-methylethyl) - (C₉H₁₂) [Shown above, Fig.11 & Table-15]. In naphtha (2^nd Fraction) Carbon range is C₆ to C₁₄ and compound is 1- Hexene (C₆H₁₂) to Tetradecane (C₁₄H₃₀) [Shown above, Fig.12 & Table-16]. In Aviation fuel (3^rd Fraction) Carbon range is C₈ to C₂₀ and compound is Styrene (C₈H₈) to Eicosane (C₂₀H₄₂) [Shown above, Fig.13 & Table-17]. In Diesel (4^th Fraction) Carbon range is C₅ to C₂₈ and compound is pentane (C₅H₁₂) to Octacosane (C₂₀H₅₈) [Shown above, Fig.14 & Table-18].Eventually in Fuel oil (5^th Fraction) Carbon range is C₄ to C₂₇, and compound is 1-Propene-2-methyl (C₄H₈) to Heptacosane (C₂₇H₅₆) [Shown above, Fig.15 & Table-19].

4.3. FTIR (Spectrum-100) analysis

Analysis of Individual waste plastics (HDPE-2, LDPE-4, PP-5, and PS-6) to individual fuel:

Figure 16.

FTIR Spectra of HDPE-2 Plastic to Fuel

Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Compound Group Name
1	2956.38	C-CH3
2	2921.84	C-CH3
3	2853.19	CH2
4	1641.69	Non-Conjugated
5	1465.41	CH3
6	1377.92	CH3
7	991.76	-CH= CH2
8	965.02	-CH=CH-(Trans)
9	909.08	-CH= CH2
10	721.39	-CH=CH-(Cis)
11	667.88	-CH=CH-(Cis)

Table 20.

FTIR Spectra of HDPE-2 Plastic to Fuel Functional Group Name

Figure 17.

FTIR Spectra of LDPE-4 Plastic to Fuel

Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name
1	2956.72	C-CH3
2	2922.13	C-CH3
3	2853.50	CH2
4	1641.78	Non-Conjugated
5	1458.43	CH3
6	1377.96	CH3
7	964.96	-CH= CH2
8	909.10	-CH=CH-(Trans)
9	887.93	-CH= CH2
10	721.71	-CH=CH-(Cis)
11	667.91	-CH=CH-(Cis)

Table 21.

FTIR Spectra of LDPE-4 Plastic to Fuel Functional Group Name

Figure 18.

FTIR Spectra of PP-5 Plastic to Fue.

Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Compound Group Name	Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Compound Group Name
1	3074.99	H Bonded NH	8	1377.07	CH3
2	2955.87	C-CH3	9	1155.03
3	2912.71	C-CH3	10	965.06	-CH=CH-(Trans)
4	2871.87	C-CH3	11	887.02	C=CH2
5	2842.66	C-CH3	12	739.06	-CH=CH-(Cis)
6	1650.20	Amides	13	667.85	-CH=CH-(Cis)
7	1465.95	CH2

Table 22.

FTIR Spectra of PP-5 Plastic to Fuel Functional Group Name

Figure 19.

FTIR Spectra of PS-6 Plastic to Fuel

Band Peak Number	Wave Number (cm^-1)	Compound Group Name	Band Peak Number	Wave Number (cm^-1)	Compound Group Name
1	3083.59	=C-H	15	1414.28	CH2
2	3060.73	=C-H	16	1376.10	CH3
3	3027.21	=C-H	17	1317.86
4	2966.73	C-CH3	18	1288.55
5	2874.03	C-CH3	19	1202.23
6	2834.62	C-CH3	20	1178.59
7	1943.85		21	1082.33
8	1802.56	Non-Conjugated	22	1028.94	Acetates
9	1693.70	Conjugated	23	1020.83	Acetates
10	1630.02	Conjugated	24	990.91	-CH=CH2
11	1603.28	Conjugated	25	906.80	-CH=CH2
12	1575.74		26	775.16
13	1494.73		27	729.65	-CH=CH-(Cis)
14	1450.70	CH3	28	694.78	-CH=CH-(Cis)

Table 23.

FTIR Spectra of PS-6 Plastic to Fuel Functional Group Name

In FTIR analysis of HDPE-2 fuel obtained functional groups are C-CH₃, CH₂, Non-Conjugated, CH₃,-CH=CH₂,-CH=CH- (Cis) and –CH=CH-(Trans) [Shown above, Fig.16& Table-20].In LDPE-4 analysis functional groups are C-CH₃, CH₂, Non-Conjugated, CH₃,-CH=CH₂,-CH=CH- (Cis) and –CH=CH-(Trans)[Shown above, Fig.17 &Table-21].In PP-5 analysis functional groups are CH₃,C-CH₂,-CH=CH- (Cis) and,-CH=CH- (Trans). [Shown above, Fig.18 & Table-22] Subsequently in PS-6 analysis obtained functional groups are CH2, CH3, Acetates,-CH=CH2 and –CH=CH-(Cis) etc. [Shown above, Fig.19 & Table-23].

FTIR Analysis of Mixed Waste Plastics to Fuel:

Figure 20.

FTIR Spectra of Mixed Waste Plastic to Fuel

Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name	Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name
1	3075.19	H Bonded NH	13	1377.71	CH3
2	2916.58	CH2	19	1029.84	Acetates
3	2728.78	C-CH3	20	990.95	Secondary Cyclic Alcohol
5	1938.53	Non-Conjugated	21	965.16	-CH=CH- (trans)
6	1818.59	Non-Conjugated	22	908.64	-CH=CH2
7	1781.20	Non-Conjugated	23	887.75	C=CH2
8	1720.59	Non-Conjugated	26	739.15	-CH=CH- (cis)
9	1649.79	Amides	27	727.92	-CH=CH- (cis)
10	1605.54	Non-Conjugated	28	696.66	-CH=CH- (cis)
12	1452.16	CH2	29	675.78	-CH=CH- (cis)

Table 24.

FTIR Spectra of Mixed Waste Plastic to Fuel Functional Group Name

In FTIR analysis of mixed waste plastics to NSR fuel obtained functional groups are: CH₃, Acetates, Secondary Cyclic Alcohol,-CH=CH₂, C=CH₂,-CH=CH-(Cis) and -CH=CH-(Trans) etc. [Shown above, Fig. 20 & Table-24].

FTIR Analysis of Mixed Waste Plastics to Fractional Distillation Fuel:

Figure 21.

FTIR Spectra of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 1^st Fractional Fuel (Gasoline)

Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name	Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name
1	3078.07	H Bonded NH	13	1378.54	CH3
2	2921.04	C-CH3	19	1030.44	Acetates
3	2732.37	C-CH3	20	993.17	Secondary Cyclic Alcohol
4	2669.78	C-CH3	21	965.30	-CH=CH- (trans)
6	1853.61	Non-Conjugated	22	909.69	-CH=CH2
7	1821.24	Non-Conjugated	23	888.42	C=CH2
8	1720.48	Non-Conjugated	26	728.40	-CH=CH- (cis)
9	1642.16	Conjugated	27	694.80	-CH=CH- (cis)
10	1605.33	Conjugated	28	675.76	-CH=CH- (cis)
12	1456.00	CH3	29	628.70	-CH=CH- (cis)

Table 25.

Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 1^st Fractional Fuel (Gasoline) FTIR Functional Group List

Figure 22.

FTIR Spectra of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 2^nd Fractional Fuel (Naphtha, Chemical)

Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name	Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name
2	3063.12	=C-H	16	1641.16	Non-Conjugated
3	2933.39	C-CH3	17	1631.00	Non-Conjugated
4	2730.96	C-CH3	21	1460.04	CH3
5	2669.39	C-CH3	22	1377.48	CH3
9	1940.47	Non-Conjugated	30	1029.53	Acetates
10	1871.71	Non-Conjugated	31	1020.91	Acetates
11	1816.96	Non-Conjugated	32	990.38	-CH=CH2
12	1799.27	Non-Conjugated	33	965.73	-CH=CH- (trans)
13	1743.30	Conjugated	34	907.57	-CH=CH2
14	1717.20	Non-Conjugated	37	728.99	-CH=CH- (cis)
15	1685.59	Conjugated	38	700.77	-CH=CH- (cis)

Table 26.

Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 2nd Fractional Fuel (Naphtha) FTIR Functional Group List

Figure 23.

FTIR Spectra of Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 3^rd Fractional Fuel (Aviation)

Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name	Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name
3	2929.07	C-CH3	17	1467.90	CH3
4	2730.27	C-CH3	18	1377.65	CH3
5	2671.93	C-CH3	22	1029.94	Acetates
8	1938.55	Non-Conjugated	23	991.72	-CH=CH2
9	1868.05	Non-Conjugated	24	965.06	-CH=CH- (trans)
10	1820.48	Non-Conjugated	25	909.12	CH=CH2
11	1797.01	Non-Conjugated	26	888.50	C=CH2
12	1746.03	Non-Conjugated	29	721.81	-CH=CH- (cis)
13	1713.72	Non-Conjugated	30	698.09	-CH=CH- (cis)
14	1641.59	Non-Conjugated

Table 27.

Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 3rd^t Fractional Fuel (Aviation) FTIR Functional Group List

Figure 24.

FTIR Spectra of Mixed Waste Plastic to Fuel (Diesel)

Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name	Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name
1	3063.15	=C-H	16	1452.15	CH2
2	3027.13	=C-H	17	1377.50	CH3
3	2917.31	CH2	22	1030.26	Acetates
4	2730.18	C-CH3	23	990.17	-CH=CH2
5	2674.43	C-CH3	24	965.09	-CH=CH- (trans)
8	1938.19	Non-Conjugated	25	908.18	-CH=CH2
9	1866.94	Non-Conjugated	26	889.16	C=CH2
10	1797.37	Non-Conjugated	29	742.29	-CH=CH- (cis)
11	1745.73	Non-Conjugated	30	721.52	-CH=CH- (cis)
12	1721.33	Non-Conjugated	31	697.70	-CH=CH- (cis)
13	1641.33	Non-Conjugated

Table 28.

Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 4th Fractional Fuel (Diesel) FTIR Functional Group List

Figure 25.

FTIR Spectra of Mixed Waste Plastic to Fuel (Fuel Oil)

Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name	Band Peak Number	Wave Number; (cm^-1)	Functional Group Name
1	2923.45	CH2	9	991.95	Secondary Cyclic Alcohol
2	2853.06	CH2	10	964.93	-CH=CH- (trans)
3	1746.10	Non-Conjugated	11	908.97	-CH=CH2
4	1641.30	Non-Conjugated	12	888.68	C=CH2
5	1602.35	Non-Conjugated	13	720.09	-CH=CH- (cis)
6	1464.70	CH2	14	698.20	-CH=CH- (cis)
7	1377.43	CH3

Table 29.

Mixed Waste Plastic Fuel to 5th Fractional Fuel (Fuel Oil) FTIR Functional Group List

In FTIR analysis of fractional distillation fuel such as in 1^ST Fraction Fuel (Gasoline) obtained functional groups are CH₃, Acetates, Secondary Cyclic Alcohol, -CH=CH₂, C=CH₂,nad -CH=CH- (Cis). [Shown above, Fig.21 & Table-25]. In 2^nd Fraction Fuel (Naphtha) analysis functional groups are CH₃, Non-Conjugated, Acetates,-CH=CH₂,-CH=CH- (Cis) and –CH=CH-(Trans). [Shown above, Fig.22& Table-26]. In 3^rd Fraction Fuel (Aviation) analysis functional groups are CH₃, Acetates, C-CH₂,-CH=CH- (Cis) and -CH=CH-(Trans) [Shown above, Fig.23& Table-27]. In 4^th Fraction Fuel (Diesel) analysis functional groups are CH₂, CH₃, Acetates,-CH=CH₂, C=CH₂ and,-CH=CH- (Cis) [Shown above, Fig.24 & Table-28]. Subsequently in 5^th Fraction Fuel (Fuel Oil) analysis obtained functional groups are Secondary Cyclic Alcohol,-CH=CH₂, C=CH₂, –CH=CH (Trans) and –CH=CH-(Cis) etc. [Shown above, Fig.25& Table-29].

5. Electricity production from waste plastic fuel

Both NSR fractional fuels (NSR fractional 1st Fractional Fuel and NSR 4th Fractional Fuel) have been used to produce electricity by the help of conventional internal combustion generator. A flow diagram illustrating the process of energy production and consumption from NSR Fuel (Heating Oil) is shown below in Fig.26.

Figure 26.

Flow diagram of electricity generation consumption

NSR fractional 1st collection fuel was used in a gasoline generator with max 4.0 kW and volt output of 120. ~1 litter of fractional fuel was injected in the generator and with ~2900 watt constant demand; the generator ran a total of 42 minutes. A similar test was performed with commercial gasoline (87). ~1 litter of commercial gasoline (87) was injected and with the same ~ 2900 watt, constant demand the generator ran a total of 38 minutes. The difference in time occurs because NSR fraction 1st collection fuel has longer Carbon content than that of the commercial gasoline (87).

NSR fractional 4th collection fuel was used in a diesel generator with a max 4.0 kW and an output of 120 volt. ~1 litter of NSR fractional 2^nd collection fuel was injected in the generator and with a constant demand of 3200 watt; the generator ran a total of 42 minutes. The same test was conducted with commercial diesel, and with the same demand the generator ran for 34 minutes.

A diagram [Fig.27] is provided below showing the produced electricity consumption of commercial gasoline (87) and NSR fractional fuel 1st collection.

Figure 27.

Electricity Consumption and run time monitored by EML 2020 logger system for 1^st Fractional Fuel (Gasoline) and Commercial Gasoline87.

Figure 28.

Electricity Output Comparison Graph of Waste Plastic Fuel to 4^th Fractional Fuel and Commercial Diesel Fuel

Fuel Name Generator Fuel Amount Duration kWh

4^th Fractional Fuel (Diesel) AMCO 1 Liter 37 min 2.028

Table 30.

Comparison Table of 4^th Fractional Fuel (Diesel) and Commercial Diesel

Comparison of NSR 4^th fraction fuel and commercial diesel was conduced using an AMCO Diesel Generator. Above, Fig. 28 and Table 30 demonstrate the comparative results between the two fuels. The results indicate that the NSR-2 fuel provided a longer run time of the generator than the diesel. This is due to the NSR fuel having longer carbon chains than the diesel fuel.

6. Automobile test driving

Both NSR fractional 5^th collection fuel and commercial gasoline (87) was used for a comparison automobile test. A 1984 Oldsmobile vehicle (V-8 powered engine) was used for the test-drive and one gallon of fuel was used for both cases after complete drainage of the pre-existing fuel in the fuel tank. The test-drive was done on a rural highway with an average speed of 55 mph.

Based on the preliminary automobile test-drive, the NSR fuel has offered a competitive advantage in mileage over the commercial gasoline-87. NSR fuel showed better mileage performance of 21 miles per gallon (mpg) compared to 18 mpg with commercial gasoline (87).

It is expected that NSR double condensed fuel will show even higher performance with more fuel-efficient car such as V-4 engine and hybrid vehicles. Additional test-driving is going to be conducted in the near future to verify the results.

7. Conclusion

The conversion of municipal waste plastics to liquid hydrocarbon fuel was carried out in thermal degradation process with/without catalyst. Individually we ran our experiment on waste plastics such as: HDPE-2, LDPE-4, PP-5 & PS-6. Each of those experiment procedures are maintained identically, every ten (10) minutes of interval experiment was monitored and found during the condensation time changes of individual waste plastics external behavior different because of their different physical and chemical properties. Similarly, we ran another experiment with 2kg of mixture of waste plastics in stainless steel reactor. Initial temperature is 350 ºC for quick melting and optimum temperature is 305 ºC. For glass reactor every experiment temperature was maintained by variac meter, when experiment started variac percent was 90% (Tem-405 ºC) for quick melting, after melted variac percent decreased to 70% (Tem- 315 ºC) due to smoke formation. Average (optimum) used variac percent in this experiment 75% (337.5 ºC).Gradually temperature range was maintained by variacmeter with proper monitoring. In fractional distillation process we separated different category of fuel such as gasoline, naphtha, jet fuel, diesel and fuel oil in accordance with their boiling point temperature profile.

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges the support of Dr. Karin Kaufman, the founder and President of Natural State Research, Inc (NSR). The author also acknowledges the valuable contributions NSR laboratory team members during the preparation of this manuscript.