How to turn plastic waste into diesel fuel cheaply

[mjohnson1]

I just finished up my latest catalyst test and I obtained 85.5% conversion by weight. I haven't had a chance to boil off the various fractions in my kiln yet but i'll post the results when it's completed.

For this test I followed imakebiodiesel's advice and mixed some of my high activity catalyst with some low activity catalyst. This seemed to do the trick as my conversion rate went up considerably and there were still no waxes. It smelled strongly of gasoline odors where as my earlier tests didn't have as strong of smell. In addition, the liquid output was cleared and had a green/brown tint to it while the other test had a orange/brown color.

Does anyone know what causes the color changes of the fuels?

[imakebiodiesel]

My catalyst is only gas phase. Liquid phase catalysts do work but larger quantities are needed. The catalyst is held in the reflux column.

mJohnston1, Im glad my suggestion has worked. As you can see this method can be developed to produce a catalyst with a very specific profile. I would suggest you keep meticulous records of each batch with details of mixtures, temperatures, times, yields etc so that you can detect even small improvements. Also avoid any major changes to your apparatus while you are developing a catalyst.

The brown colour is most likely oxidation caused by the presence of unsaturated hydrocarbons ( alkenes) This can be confirmed by testing with either bromine water or potassium permanganate. ( check wikipedia). The double carbon to carbon bonds in alkenes are unstable and will react with oxygen very quickly. A better catalyst will reduce this effect.
Antioxidants can be used to combat this effect but they are a bit like bolting the stable door after the horse is gone.

[lowriderzzz]

EFuel100, Earth's First Home Ethanol System, a Product of E-Fuel Corporation

look what i found today surfing the net. And it seems less expensive than this blest company Japanese one.

[kris 8]

reflux vessal

hello its amazing how far this thread has come in the advancement of these
techniques
im determined to get my plant up and running
to which end after reading the posts about plugging pipes im upping the size of the pipe from the retort to 2inches,
my question is what size reflux vessel would be good i have some pipe of about 6inches by 29inches would this be good. the retort is a 46kg lpg bottle. im thinking of making the pipe between the two about 18inches i understand it is trial and error and ill have to play with insulation but do these sizes seem about right

regards kris

[Excalibur]

Kris
Looks like an OK place to start. I went big on the connecting pipe between because I reasoned that I could always drop in a spigot-reducer to narrow the passage should it prove necessary, but I couldn't go the other way,,, bigger.
Agreed, it's very much a "try it and see" type of thing. The hope is that you'll be within the ballpark and with a few tweaks be good.
My new retort isn't ready yet but the dimensions are on my blog for any comparison. Am aiming for first testing by 1 Sept.

[mercedes 308]

EFuel100, Earth's First Home Ethanol System, a Product of E-Fuel Corporation

look what i found today surfing the net. And it seems less expensive than this blest company Japanese one.

It's not a pyrolysis unit. It relies on bacteria to break down sugars, and produce ethanol.
Also seems like a scam setup, but could be real.

Compatible with numerous organic fuel materials for use as feedstock, including liquids rich in sugar, discarded beverages with residual sugar and/or
alcohol, fermentable liquids, cellulose material and algae.

E-Fuel Global Network
The E-Fuel Global Network (EGN) is a necessary and important component to the operation and monitoring of the MicroFueler. The EGN maintains a communications link with all MicroFueler worldwide, 24x7, checking vital statistics, operating norms, as well as billing and reporting for customers. In the event the EGN identifies a condition which requires attention, a notification is sent to the responsible party (dealer, distributor, end user, etc.). The
EGN continues to monitor notifications to insure timely follow-up so as to insure uninterrupted availability of E-Fuell100 to the
consumer. The EGN may be accessed on the internet through its Dashboard interface. Customers may log into their account at the
E-Fuel web site (EFuel100, Earth's First Home Ethanol System, a Product of E-Fuel Corporation)
and view the Dashboard for each of their MicroFuelers. Data available includes fuel available, system status, event log, account information, etc. The
EGN is by subscription. The first year is provided at no cost with the purchase of a MicroFueler. Subsequent years are priced at
$9.95 billed monthly or $99.95 annually in advance.

[Hoddamdg11]

Condensers

I've been through all 91 pages but haven't found any advice on safely removing LPG bottle valves. Lots of people are using them, so there must be a safe way.
Thanks in advance.

[waterboost]

Gas Bottles

1) Open the tap...
2) let it empty...
3) remove valve with a spanner
4) fill with water, rinse and repeat

JOB DONE

If you are going to cut one, leave the water inside

[Hoddamdg11]

Condensers

waterboost - the shroud prevents the movement of a spanner or stillsons and I'm worried about the the temperature when trying to cut it off.

[mercedes 308]

Aston university does pyrolysis

Seems like Aston university is getting in on the act.
Pyrolysis

Scientists turn rubbish into oil & gas - full report by Mark Gough on Vimeo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=-TOMiGLjlac
According to the news. They want to build a small unit, to be used in the home.

[waterboost]

cut the shroud off? I think we managed to do it without cutting the shroud until later

[Excalibur]

waterboost - the shroud prevents the movement of a spanner or stillsons and I'm worried about the the temperature when trying to cut it off.

I cut the shroud and haven't had any problem. Have dove 6+ this way. I use a cut-off disk and cut a few mil above the surface of the cylinder, at the top of the weld. I use one of those thin cut-off disks and are mindful to not overheat the cut area. Logically, it is safe because there is no oxygen inside but better to swing all the odds in your favor. The weld can be cleaned up after the shroud is removed and bottle is rendered "de-gassed".

+1 for Waterboosts' checklist of degassing a cylinder. The only other thing I do is use a little dishwashing liquid in the first application of water. I insist on there being visible suds inside as a "good sign" only.

In my home town a few years ago, a man was Killed when cutting petrol tanks at a recycling yard. The tank was marked as de-gassed but was not. The explosion ruptured all his internal organs with the blast. He died at the scene. Sorry for the somber story but it's a good idea to remind each other of the hazard. Also we never know who is reading these posts and how competent they are.

[imakebiodiesel]

Cutting gas bottles can kill you if you are careless. Over the years I have cut many of these without any accidents.

Open the valve, turn the bottle upside down and leave for a couple of days.
Remove the valve, its a standard right hand thread but usually very stiff.
Fill the bottle with water and let it overflow for about 10 minutes to float any oil out.
Cut the top off carefully while still full of water.
Once the top is off there is little risk of an explosion.

If you must cut off the shroud.
Close the valve to prevent the gas being ignited by the sparks. Leave at least an inch of the shroud on the bottle, it can be ground off later when the bottle is safely cut open.

[imakebiodiesel]

I had a look at Aston universitys video and there is really nothing new there. It is straightforward pyrolysis of organic material to produce syngas and pyrolysis oil.
The example of pyrolysis oil shown in the video was derived from rice husks which is a very good feedstock. General household waste will produce a much lower grade oil. If the waste contains any oil or fats the pyrolysis oil will be contaminated with propenal ( also called acrolein, look it up on Wikipedia) which makes it very toxic and difficult to use. General household waste will also contain water which will consume a lot of energy being boiled off.
Im not saying that their system wont work, it will, but as always in these situations they are ignoring the downsides in order not to scare off investors.

[lowriderzzz]

I have my experimental uniti almost ready - few questions before I start.



Hi guys. I finally got my experimental 10 Litters unit ready. Its design is very close to this one of John (imakebiodiesel) in his video on "waste plastic to kerosine". In few days I will assemble it and start it running. How ever i have few questions I need advice on before I start it.

Do you think the reflux column and condenser are too large for this unit ?

What temperature should I maintain on both of them, if I want to make diesel that comes out at 380C (right ?) for the retort unit?

Do you think its a good idea to use blind pipes to put my thermometer probe in for the condenser and reflux column ?

How much time do you think it will take me until I start making fractions if I fill the unit with 5 kg with feedstock initially ?

Any other critics and feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.