Coal with Scrap Plastic & Wood Wastes

ScienceDirect - Fuel Processing Technology : Liquefaction of lignocellulosic and plastic wastes with coal using carbon monoxi.

 

 

Liquefaction of lignocellulosic and plastic wastes with coal using carbon monoxide and aqueous alkali

 

Perhaps not a lot of new information herein, just more confirmation, if it was even needed, that coal and plastic wastes and sawdust (and old Intel's)  can be converted together into liquid fuel. 

 

The excerpt (please note the authors' affiliation.):

Abstract

An investigation has been made of the coprocessing of paper and other lignocellulosic wastes, and also of waste plastics, with coal via the COsteam route—treatment with CO, water and alkali at elevated pressures. The liquefaction of lignocellulosic and polymeric wastes was studied separately and then with the addition of coal. High conversion of lignocellulosic wastes could be achieved at 400°C. Polypropylene and polystyrene are completely converted to liquids and gases at 400°C; however, the conversion of high density polyethylene requires a temperature of 445°C. Coprocessing of Wyodak coal and lignocellulosics at 400°C did not change the yields or product quality compared with the liquefaction of Wyodak coal or lignocellulosics alone. However, the coprocessing of Wyodak coal and polypropylene at 400°C resulted in a decrease in coal conversion accompanied by an increase in the asphaltene fraction from coal. It is possible that the combination of free radicals from the polymer with coal fragments is responsible for this result. However, coliquefaction of Wyodak coal with less than 30% high density polyethylene at 445°C resulted in good coal conversion (85–90%) and did not increase the asphaltene yield from coal."

This, from the University of Pittsburgh. Another respected local institution, like WVU, showing us that coal can be converted into liquid fuels; and, renewable biomass (cellulose) and wastes can be combined with the coal to not only provide more raw material for liquid fuels, but to make the conversion process more efficient and profitable; and, through the inclusion of cellulose, to close the Carbon cycle.

Using this scenario, coal can lead us into a liquid fuel future that could ultimately rely in large part on renewable biomass for it's raw material, and clean up all our waste plastics as part of the bargain.