Study on Improving Properties of Bio-Oil Recovered from Plastics Waste for Industrial uses in Tanzania Case Study: Dar Es Salaam City
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Date
2025-12-10
Authors
Hebuka, Erasto
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Publisher
Mbeya University of Science and Technology
Abstract
The rise of energy demand in the globe has prompted the consideration of utilizing plastic waste for bio-oil production. Bio-oil production from biomass material is a practice that has existed for many decades; however, the challenge has remained on the improvement of the oil properties to fit for commercial application. This study investigated the potential of producing and upgrading bio-oil from plastic waste through a catalytic pyrolysis process. Plastic waste samples composed of Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene (HDPE), and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), shredded to 1.5 to 2.5 mm sizes and blended in a ratio of 50/25/25, respectively, were pyrolyzed in a fluidized bed reactor at optimal conditions of 560oC to 650oC, a heating rate of 15 ◦C/min and N2 gas flow rate of 100 mL/min in the presence of Zeolite catalysts (ZMS-5). Produced bio-oil was treated with fossil diesel, calcium hydroxide, and sodium sulphate to enhance its properties.
Results show bio-oil production increased to 65 wt.%, while char was reduced to 3.5 wt.%. Treatment with 20 wt. % diesel reduced bio-oil kinematic viscosity by 58% and improved stability from 20% to 50%. The addition of 16 g calcium hydroxide reduced the bio-oil acidity by 51% from a pH of 3.2 to 4.85. Furthermore, the bio-oil moisture content was reduced from 10wt. % to 5.2%wt through the addition of 10 g of sodium sulphate, while the lower heating value was improved to 39.0 MJ/kg.
The catalytic pyrolysis of plastic waste in a fluidized bed reactor, and the various treatments performed on the generated bio-oil proved to be an effective technique to enhance the economic value of plastic waste and its environmental management at large.
Description
This Thesis was Published by Mbeya University of Science and Technology in 2025