The Influence of Plastic Waste Types and Ratios on the Characteristics of Alternative Fuels through the Pyrolysis Method

Mochammad Agung Indra Iswara; Eko Naryono; Mufid Mufid; Anang Takwanto; Luchis Rubianto; Windi Zamrudy

doi:10.33795/jtkl.v10i2.9249

Authors

Mochammad Agung Indra Iswara Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia
Eko Naryono Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia
Mufid Mufid Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia
Anang Takwanto Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia
Luchis Rubianto Politeknik Negeri Malang
Windi Zamrudy Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33795/jtkl.v10i2.9249

Keywords:

alternative energy, biomass, liquid fuel, plastic waste, pyrolysis

Abstract

The increasing volume of plastic waste highlights the urgent need for efficient and environmentally sustainable treatment methods. Pyrolysis is recognized as a promising thermochemical process for converting plastic waste into alternative liquid fuels. This study evaluates the use of rice husks, corn cobs, and coconut shells as renewable heat sources in the pyrolysis of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), applying biomass-to-plastic ratios of 1:8, 1:12, and 1:16. Key parameters assessed include reactor temperature, liquid fuel yield, and fuel properties. The results show that coconut shells produced the highest reactor temperatures and the most optimal yields, reaching 11.95% for PP and 2.74% for PET. PP-derived oil demonstrated the best fuel quality, with a calorific value of 12,038.9 cal/g, density of 0.728 g/cm³, and viscosity of 2.33 cSt, corresponding to the gasoline-kerosene fraction. In contrast, PET-derived oil exhibited a calorific value of 11,348.1 cal/g, density of 0.809 g/cm³, and viscosity of 3.47 cSt, aligning with the kerosene-diesel fraction. These findings confirm the potential of integrating biomass combustion with plastic pyrolysis as a viable pathway for producing alternative liquid fuels while promoting the utilization of agricultural residues as renewable energy sources.

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