Research on thermal decomposition of waste PE/PP

Abstract

The most important and the most frequently used plastics are polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). They are characterised with high heating values (approximately 40 MJ/kg). Moreover, their chemical composition, based mainly on carbon and hydrogen, allows to use them in industrial processes. One of the methods of utilisation of plastic waste can be its use in the metallurgical industry. This paper presents results of thermal decomposition of waste PE/PP. Chemical and thermal analysis (TG) of studied wastes was carried out. Evolved gaseous products from the decomposition of wastes were indentified using mass spectrometry (TG-MS). This paper also presents an application of plastic wastes as supplemental fuel in blast furnace processes (as a substitute for coke) and as an addition in processes of coking coal.