Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of plastics for aviation oil production : energy and economic analyses

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis is an effective method for recycling plastic wastes into oils that can be used for aviation fuels. In this study, energy and economic analyses of aviation oil production from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of polystyrene were performed. The total energy efficiency, recovered energy efficiency, unitary cost, unitary energy economic cost, relative cost difference, and energy economic factor were detailed. And the effects of microwave power, pyrolysis temperature, microwave absorbent loading, and microwave absorbent type on these parameters were covered. It was found that pyrolysis temperature has the most significant effect on the unitary cost and unitary energy economic cost of aviation oil, and- microwave absorbent type has a significant influence on energy economic factor during the whole microwave-assisted pyrolysis process. The optimum reaction conditions at the tonnage system for pyrolysis of 1 t polystyrene were microwave power of 650 W, pyrolysis temperature of 460 °C, and silicon carbide (microwave absorbent) at a loading of 2 t (twice than feedstock loading). At these optimal conditions, the total energy efficiency, recovered energy efficiency, unitary cost, unitary energy economic cost, relative cost difference, and energy economic factor were 62.78%, 96.51%, 3.21 × 10⁴ yuan·t⁻¹, 779 yuan·GJ⁻¹, 1.49, and 71.02%, respectively. © Higher Education Press 2024.