Production of Liquid Fuel from Polystyrene Waste: Process Optimization and Characterization of Pyrolyzates

ABSTRACT

Pyrolysis of waste polystyrene in the presence of natural clay was carried out in an indigenously made pyrolyzer from 340 to 420°C in nitrogen atmosphere. Temperature and time were optimized, and it was observed that 410°C and 60 min are the optimum reaction temperature and time for maximum liquid fuel yield of 86.68%. Pyrolyzates formed were collected and analyzed using GC/MS. The gaseous fraction was found to contain hydrocarbons ranging from C₁–C₅, with ethene, ethane, and butane as major components, while the liquid fraction was mainly composed of aromatics, alkanes, and alkenes. The presence of some oxygenated components in the oil may be attributed to the additives used during processing of polystyrene or due to contamination. Fuel properties of the liquid fraction obtained were compared with commercial fuel and showed good resemblance with gasoline and diesel oil and, therefore, have substantial benefits for industrial and domestic use.

KEYWORDS:

• Waste management
• polystyrene waste
• clay
• pyrolysis
• fuel oil

Acknowledgments

Higher Education Commission of Pakistan is acknowledged for grant No. 20-1491. Authors are also thankful to Mr. Sharafatullah Khan for providing clay sample for this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan [20-1491].