New method turns plastic into gasoline!

Raziskovalci iz ECNU so razvili metodo, ki mešane plastične odpadke pretvori v gorivo in industrijsko kislino v enem koraku. Proces deluje pri nizki temperaturi, ne zahteva ločevanja odpadkov in ponuja trajnostno alternativo sežigu ali odlaganju.

Plastic waste is accumulating faster than we can handle it. A new laboratory method, published in the journal Science, shows that mixed plastic waste can be converted into gasoline-range hydrocarbons and hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a single step. Researchers from ECNU report high efficiency at temperatures as low as 30°C.

The method handles mixed and even contaminated waste streams, which is crucial since most plastic waste is difficult to separate. The new method combines the cleavage of carbon bonds and the removal of chlorine in a single step, producing chlorine-free gasoline hydrocarbons (C6–C12) and HCl as a by-product. Chloroaluminate ionic liquid catalysts enable a controlled reaction at low temperature.

In tests, the conversion of soft PVC pipes was 95 percent, and of hard pipes and cables up to 99 percent. Mixed waste (PVC + polyolefins) reached 96 percent at 80°C. The resulting products were methane-free and mostly branched alkanes. The method operates at room temperature and pressure, which means lower energy consumption and simpler equipment. HCl can be used in industry, and the fuel in existing distribution. Challenges remain in the handling of catalysts, impurities and corrosion.