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Low density polyethylene sachets waste: Fuel conversion, characterization and life cycle analysis

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Abstract

Pyrolysis of plastic waste is a practical solution for plastic waste pollution in our environment here in Ghana. Pyrolysis, which is decomposition at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, enables the conversion of polyethylene (PE) into liquid fuel and flammable gas. The selected pyrolysis temperatures in this study were ~ 300 °C, 350 °C, 400 °C, and 450 °C. Acquired fuels were then analysed via FTIR and GC–MS. These indicated the presence of aromatic compounds, alkenes and peaks of alkanes. The density, cetane index, viscosity at 40 °C, and flash point tests were carried out on each fuel product obtained at the different temperatures. The standardized life cycle assessment methodology according to ISO 14040/44 was carried out to provide a first insight on the savings in Global Warming Potential (GWP) associated to fuel produced from the pyrolysis process compared to that from fossil fuel. Results show a reduction of about 10% in GWP of the PE derived fuel compared to conventional fuel production.

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Acknowledgments

Authors acknowledge support from the University of Ghana Research Fund Scheme (UGRF/13/MDG-002/2019-2020), Carnegie Corporation of New York - BANGA-Africa programme and the Embassy of France in Ghana, in the framework of the FSPI 2022-31 Nyansapo Research Partnerships Project Scheme (P8-RS UG-Mine D’Albi-FE).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    Princess Munnie Maiga, David Dodoo-Arhin, Benjamin Andoh, Rebecca Boamah, Elizabeth Boamah, Eugenia Yayra Agbley & Benjamin Agyei-Tuffour

  2. Institute of Applied Science and Technology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    David Dodoo-Arhin

  3. Technology Consultancy Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

    Michael Commey

  4. Institute of Sustainability in Civil Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Rose Nangah Mankaa

  5. Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    Edem Mahu

  6. Department of Operations and Management Information Systems, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    Anthony Afful-Dadzie

  7. Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    Benjamin Dankyira Ofori

  8. Centre RAPSODEE, CNRS, IMT Mines Albi, Campus Jarlard, Albi, France

    Ange Nzihou

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  1. Princess Munnie Maiga
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Correspondence to David Dodoo-Arhin.

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Maiga, P.M., Dodoo-Arhin, D., Andoh, B. et al. Low density polyethylene sachets waste: Fuel conversion, characterization and life cycle analysis. MRS Advances 8, 686–692 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-023-00571-9

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