DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FOR

USED COVID-19 MASKS AND PPE KITS

STUDENT PROJECT PROPOSAL

A Project Proposal By

MOHAMED YASIR M 810019239018 mohamedyasir274@gmail.com

SHIVA SHAKTHI KUMAR S 810019239037 shivassk2002@gmail.com

Under the Guidance of

Dr. M. RENGASAMY M.Tech., PhD.

Mobile No: 9443533238 Mrengasamy40@gmail.com

DEPARTMENT OF PETROCHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

ANNA UNIVERSITY (BIT CAMPUS)

TIRUCHIRAPPALLI-620 024.

SUBMITTED TO

TAMILNADU STATE COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DOTE CAMPUS
CHENNAI-600025
 TAMILNADU STATE COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY

STUDENT PROJECT PROPOSAL

1. Name of the Student (s) :

S.No Name of the Student E-Mail ID Phone No.

1 MOHAMED mohamedyasir274@gmail.com 9150506089

YASIR M

2 SHIVA SHAKTHI shivassk2002@gmail.com 9629949350

KUMAR S

2. Name of the Guide : Dr. M. RENGASAMY M.Tech., PhD.

Department / Designation : Dept. of Petrochemical Technology/Assistant professor

Institutional Address : Anna University (BIT Campus), Tiruchirappalli-620 024.

Phone No. & Mobile No. : 9443533238

3. Project Title : DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF CATALYTIC

CONVERTOR FOR USED COVID-19 MASKS AND PPE
KITS

4. Sector in which your Project proposal : Engineering Technology (Chemical Engineering)

is to be Considered

5. Project Details :

i. Introduction iv. Work Plan

ii. Objectives v. Budget

iii. Methodology vi. Any other details

6. Has a similar project been carried out : NO

in your college / elsewhere? If so,
furnish details of the previous project
and highlight the improvements
suggested in the present one
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Mr./Miss._________________________________________ is a B

onafide final year student of P.G. Science / U.G. Engineering / P.G. Professional courses of
our college and it is also certified that two copies of utilization certificate and final report along
with seminar paper will be sent to the Council after completion of the project by the end of
May 2023.

Signature of the Guide Signature of the HOD Signature of the Principal

Head of the Institution

(With seal)
 DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FOR
USED COVID-19 MASKS AND PPE KITS

I. INTRODUCTION
During this COVID-19 pandemic, the production and need of the PPE kits (medical
masks, N95 masks, aprons, single use protective gowns) increased enormously which leads to
the increase of plastic medical waste all-over the world. Roughly 129 billion face masks and
65 billion plastic gloves were used for every single month globally. This is an increase of
almost 17% in biomedical waste generated due to this pandemic.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India has been generating
nearly 146 tons of bio-medical waste everyday due to diagnostic activities and treatment of
COVID-19 patients. Most of the wastes from the houses are not disposed properly as they are
land filled or burned both are harmful to the environment, as per CPCB data even in
hospitals 70% of waste only disposed properly, those waste is also disposed by Secured
land filling and by molding them into plastic which is again harm to environment.

II. OBJECTIVES
✓ To eliminate the used surgical masks & PPE kits during COVID-19 pandemic Increase
in PPE waste increase the contamination and plastic waste which pollute the environment.
✓ To design and fabricate the single-compact portable pyrolysis unit. tar).
✓ To find a long-term solution to the life-risking COVID-19 used masks and PPE kits
during COVID-19 pandemic by reducing its volume in Solid Waste Management
✓ To extract the liquid fuel from COVID-19 used masks and PPE kits by thermal
degradation process.
✓ To use the end sludge with tar for road construction to make the process as zero waste
process.

III. PROPOSING WORK WITH METHODOLOGY

IMPLEMENTATION

The main methodology of this process is thermal cracking reaction. After Pre-treatment
of collected Covid pandemic waste materials such as masks, PPE kits, hand gloves, etc. At first
the collected COVID-19 used PPE kits are segregated (based on the chemical composition of
the wastes), pre-treated (disinfected) and chopped into pieces then fed into the reactor and
initially reactor is maintained at 100 °C. after feeding, temperature is gradually increased to
500℃ to 650℃. At this temperature most of the feed undergoes thermal cracking reactions and
the products were transformed into vapour.

Then vapour is allowed to pass through helical coil which is placed in water jacket for
better condensation. generating products in form of carbon, as residues and volatile
hydrocarbons which can be condensate as fuel and non-condensable as gaseous fuel After
condensation the liquid and gaseous fuel were separated and collected, the residue left on
reactor were easily removed for further studies. The whole process is shown in the schematic
diagram Appendix: A.

The reactor is made up of mild steel which is capable to withstand the temperature
range (25 °C to 650 °C). The height of the reactor is about 450 mm with capacity to hold 2 kg
of COVID-19 waste material. Heat supplied using Nichrome wiring and reactor is surrounded
by ceramic blanket to prevent heat loss. Temperature sensor will indicate the supplied heat to
the reactor, which can be controlled with temperature controller (to maintain optimum
temperature). Reactor and Condenser part were fixed together for compact and easy handling.

The whole process is demonstrated here as a chart in Appendix: B and the final product may
be in gas form after condensing that, liquid fuel and residue may form.

IV. WORKPLAN

Duration 1st Month 2nd Month 3rd Month

Program

PPE collection & preparation

fabrication of reactor vessel

Conduct of experiment

Characterization of fuels

Comparison of fuel quality

Preparing final report

V. BUDGET

SI.No DETAILS AMOUNT (In Rupees)

1. Cost for collection of used COVID-19 masks, PPE 1000

kits, etc..

2. Design and fabrication of reactor vessel with 7000

condenser, Purchase of chemicals.

3. Project report printing, submission, seminar & 2000

Travel expenses

TOTAL 10,000

VI. EXPECTED OUTCOME

✓ To mix the end sludge of the process with tar for road construction.
✓ The same portable reactor can use to treat plastic wastes in houses such as bottle, carry
bags, toys etc.., to get oil fuel.
✓ To get the value-added product form, which can blend with petrol or diesel
✓ By this method, those COVID-19 waste mask & PPE materials (polymers) may be
processed to commercial usage fuel.
✓ There is no proper disposal method is available for these COVID-19 used masks and
PPE kits especially for household medical wastes.
APPENDIX: A
APPENDIX: B