Auburn - CoalTL and Waste Plastic Synergies

ScienceDirect - Fuel Processing Technology : An economic study for the co-generation of liquid fuel and hydrogen from coal an.
 

 
We've previously reported on coal- and cellulose-to-liquid fuel conversion efforts at Auburn University, a member, with WVU, of the Consortium for Fossil Fuel Science.
 
Herein, Auburn researchers address the economic aspects of a potential we've also previously reported on: the co-conversion of coal combined with plastic wastes into liquid fuels.
 
As with other potential co-processing materials, such as cellulose and scrapped auto tires, some waste plastics could donate hydrogen to the reaction.
 
The excerpt:
 
"An economic study for the co-generation of liquid fuel and hydrogen from coal and municipal solid waste 

Anthony Warren and Mahmoud El-Halwagi

Chemical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA


February 1996
 
 

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to assess the technical and economic feasibility of a new process for co-liquefying coal and plastic wastes. This assessment is based on incorporating recent experimental data on plastic/coal liquefaction within a conceptual process framework. A preliminary design was developed for two process configurations. The primary difference between the configurations is the source of hydrogen (coal versus cellulosic waste). The assessment was based on co-liquefying 720 tons per day of plastic waste with an equivalent amount of coal on a weight basis. The plant products include hydrocarbon gases, naphtha, jet fuel and diesel fuel. Material and energy balances along with plant-wide simulation were conducted for the process. Furthermore, the data on plastic-waste availability, disposal and economics have been compiled. The results from the economic analysis identify profitability criteria for gross profit and thus return on investment based on variable conversion, yield and tipping fee for plastic waste processed."

Although the financial projections aren't revealed in the Abstract, the prospect of co-liquefaction is, at least, technically feasible. And, "cellulosic waste" is once again named as a hydrogen-donating raw material which could be processed with both plastic waste and coal; thus, perhaps, drawing down the costs even further; and, through making additional hydrogen available, rendering the process even more productive and efficient.