CHAPTER 1

Introduction :
Plastic waste production and consumption is increasing at an alarming rate , with the
increase of the human population , rapid economic growth , continuous urbanization , and
changes in life style . In addition , the short life span of plastic accelerates the production of
plastic waste on a daily basis . The global plastic production was estimated at around 300
million tons per year and is continuously increasing every year (Miandad et al., 2016a;
Ratnasari et al., 2017) . Plastics are made of petrochemical hydrocarbons with additives such
as flame-retardants , stabilizer , and oxidants that make it difficult to biodegrade (Ma et al.,
2017 ) .

Global plastic production has increased over the years due to a large number of plastic
applications in many sectors . Plastic is also an important material for modern existence .
Plastic has become a part of daily life in both the household and industrial sectors. Plastic
material is a type of polymer compound formed from a series of carbon , hydrogen , and
other elements such as chlorine , nitrogen which is lightweight and strong , good durability ,
corrosion-resistant , fast production processes , and has a design flexibility that is easy to
shape .

The continuous demand for plastic causes much accumulation of plastic waste and
requires much space for landfills (TPS) , which contribute to environmental problems .
Global plastic production is estimated at 300 million metric tons annually and growing at a
rate of 4% annually . Over the past three decades , plastic production in large countries has
faced explosive growth and reached an average of 129 million tons per year .

Plastics provide an issue since they cannot biodegrade and can linger in the environment
for a very long time . Plastic is used so frequently that it has become ingrained in modern
society .
 Some types of plastic can be recycled and transformed into new goods , including fuel or
chemical process feedstocks . Common recycling codes for these polymers are PET
(Polyethylene Terephthalate) and HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) . Here is the
characteristic of plastic PET and HDPE .

PET
 Lightweight : PET is a lightweight
material , which makes it ideal for
use in products that need to be easy
to handle and transport .
 Heat-resistant : PET can withstand
high temperatures without melting
or deforming , which makes it a
good choice for products that need
to withstand heat , such as
microwaveable food containers .
 Recyclable: PET is a highly recyclable
material. It can be melted down and
reused to make new products,
which makes it an environmentally
friendly choice.
HDPE
 Non-toxic: HDPE is non-toxic, which
makes it suitable for use in food
packaging and other applications
where safety is a concern.
 Low moisture absorption: HDPE has
low moisture absorption, which
makes it suitable for use in
applications where water resistance
is required.
 Recyclability: HDPE is a highly
recyclable material and can be
recycled into new products multiple
times without losing its properties.
Problem statement :

There are several problem statements such as environmental impacts . Plastic waste has
detrimental effects on the environment . Plastics are not biodegradable and can persist in
the environment for hundreds of years , leading to visual pollution , littering , and habitat
degradation . Marine animals are particularly vulnerable to plastic waste , as they can ingest
or become entangled in plastic debris , leading to injury , illness , and death .

Next is global implications . Plastic waste is a global issue that transcends national
borders . It can travel long distances through rivers and oceans , leading to transboundary
pollution and affecting marine ecosystems worldwide . Furthermore , plastic waste can
impact tourism , trade , and other economic activities , posing challenges to global economic
and social well-being .

Lastly is plastic waste affects human health and well-being through the release of toxic
chemicals and microplastics , which can enter the food chain and have adverse effects on
human health. Therefore, addressing the problem of plastic waste requires a concerted
effort from individuals , communities , and governments to reduce plastic consumption ,
increase recycling and proper disposal of plastic waste .
Objective :

 To produce crude oil from plastic wastes

The raw material used in pyrolysis to produce crude oil from plastic waste is the plastic
waste itself . Pyrolysis is a process that involves heating plastic waste to high temperatures
in the absence of oxygen , which breaks down the long chains of polymers in the plastic into
smaller molecules .

The temperature of pyrolysis typically ranges from 300 to 400 degrees Celsius ,
depending on the type of plastic waste being processed and the desired end products . The
pyrolysis process can be carried out using a variety of heating methods , such as direct
combustion , electric heating , or microwaves , with each method requiring different
temperature ranges and heating times .

Pyrolysis is a process that typically does not require a solvent . However , in some cases ,
solvents may be used to help improve the efficiency or quality of the pyrolysis process . For
example , some research studies have explored the use of solvents such as methanol ,
ethanol , and hexane to extract liquid products from the pyrolysis process . These solvents
can help to separate and purify the liquid products , making them easier to refine into crude
oil .
Expected outcomes :

The first expected outcome is environmental benefits . Pyrolysis has the potential to offer
environmental benefits , such as reducing the volume of waste materials , mitigating
greenhouse gas emissions by converting organic materials into stable carbon-rich products ,
and reducing dependence on fossil fuels by producing renewable energy and feedstock for
the production of chemicals and fuels .

Next is liquid products . Pyrolysis can produce liquid products , commonly referred to as
bio-oil or pyrolysis oil , which can be used as a source of energy or as feedstock for the
production of chemicals , fuels , and other value-added products . The composition of the
liquid products can vary depending on the feedstock and process conditions , but typically
they are a complex mixture of hydrocarbons , oxygenated compounds , and other organic
compounds .
Conclusion :

Pyrolysis process was chosen by most researchers among other thermal treatment
technologies mainly because of its potential to convert the most energy from plastic waste
to valuable liquid oil . The flexibility that it provides in terms of product preference could be
achieved by adjusting the parameters accordingly . The pyrolysis could be done in both
thermal and catalytic process . However , the catalytic process provided lower operating
temperature with greater yield of liquid oil for most plastics with the right catalyst
selection . The sustainability of the process is unquestionable since the amount of plastic
wastes available in every country is reaching millions of tons . With the pyrolysis method ,
the waste management becomes more efficient , less capacity of landfill needed , less
pollution and also cost effective . Moreover , with the existence of pyrolysis method to
decompose plastic into valuable energy fuel , the dependence on fossil fuel as the non-
renewable energy can be reduced and this solves the rise in energy demand .
Cost estimates :

NO MATERIALS QUANTITY TOTAL

1 Pressure Cooker 1 RM55
2 Copper Tube 1 RM6
3 Rubber Tube 1 RM6
4 Glass Container 1 RM10
5 Plastic Container 1 RM3
RM80

Reference :
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