INTRODUCTION

Plastics transformed our dialy lives by its unique properties and affordable cost

which replaced many expensive manufacturing raw materials. They have been mainly

used for food packaging and construction materials in agriculture. However plastics took

years to degrade which have been a problem in landfills and health hazards on farm

animals in agriculture .

Agriculture used wide range of plastics which includes, polyolefin, low density

poplyethylene, polypropylene, Ethylene-Binyl Accetate copolymer, Poly-vinyl chloride

and less frequently, Polycarbonate and polymethyl-methacrylate. Plastics molecules have

long carbon chains. Since they are derived fuels that contain the elements of carbon and

hydrogen, it is possible to convert them into fuels.(Gao, Feng, 2010)

Polymer thermal degradation is the result of over heating molecular degradation.The

component so the polymer's long chain backbone can start to separate at high

temperatures(molecular scission) and react with each other to change the polymer's

properties. Pyrolysis is a tertiary recycling process and has an ability to provide three end

products: a gas, an oil and a char which all have the potential to be further utilised

(Willams & Williams, 1997)

In this study, the researcher decided to conduct a research about classification of the

char from agricultural plastic waste through thermal degradation.

Importance of the Study

The study shall develop further understanding in ways of recycling plastic to solid

fuel for particularly in beneficial solid waste management.

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Significance of the study

The study investigated current technologies available and research and application

of the pyrolysis products from the process and also a contribution in utilization of waste

to energy projects. The study provided a fundamental source of information for future

researchers that become an area of interest because of the use and research surrounding

the concept of char.

Objective of the study

The main objective of the study was to characterize the char obtained from thermal

degradation of agricultural plastic waste, polyethylene (LDPE) at low temperature.

Specifically, the study aimed to:

1. Determine the Particle density.

2. Determine the Calorific value.

3. Determine the Proximate analysis.

Scope and Limitation of the study

The study was only limited on the characterization of the char obtained from

agricultural plastic waste polyethylene (LDPE).

Time and place of the study

The study was conducted at College of Agriculture, WMSU, San Ramon, Talisayan,

Zamboanga City. The sample was brought to for laboratory testing and characterization

at Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Pettit Barracks, Zamboanga City.

 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Thermoplastics

Thermoplastics are those that can be softened by heat application once shaped and

can be repeatedly reshaped until they lose their property. e. g. Polyethylene,

polypropylene, chloride polyvinyl, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyurethane.

High temperature thermoplastics include polyether ether ketones, liquid crystalline

polymers, Polysulfones, and polyphenylene sulfides.

The world's most popular plastic is polyethylene. This is the polymer that produces

grocery bags, shampoo bottles, toys for children, and even proof vests for bullets. It has a

very simple structure for such a versatile material, the simplest of all commercial

polymers. Polypropylene has excellent chemical resistance and is therefore widely used

in packaging. It has a high melting point which makes it ideal for liquids with hot filling.

Like other plastics, PP has excellent resistance to metal destructive water, salt and acid

solutions.Typical applications include bottles for ketchups, bottles for medicines and

battery casings for automobiles.

Polystyrene is used to make a wide range of containers, including plates, dishes,

cups, biomedical devices, etc.

Plasticulture

Plasticulture is a combination of two words, plastics, and agriculture, and is used in

food production throughout the world. The plastic materials themselves, broadly referred

to as agriculture plastics or ag plastics, were developed in the 1940s by University of

Kentucky Instructor, E.M. Emmert, a horticulturist who is considered to be “The Father

of Plastic Greenhouses.”
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Emmert discovered polyethylene plastic film offered several benefits for farming.

The original goal of these plastic films, to produce higher yielding crops, is the same

today as it was mor than 75- years ago. Agricultural plastics were first used by Emmert

to create resilient, cost-effective greenhouses and replace the more typical glass

greenhouses that were popular at that time.

Degradation products

The degradation products formed during degradation will vary depending on

polymer type. The type and quantity of degradation products formed may also be

influenced by degradation mechanisms, presence of polymerization impurities, and

surrounding factors, e.g. temperature and oxygen. During thermal degradation

nitrogen-containing plastics (e.g. nylons, polyacrylonitrile, and polyurethanes) release

hydrogen cyanide; chlorine-containing materials (e.g. PVC) release hydrogen chloride;

and fluorine-containing polymers (e.g. polyvinylidene fluoride and PTFE) release

hydrogen fluoride by a chain stripping mechanism. Polymers capable of

depolymerization by chain scission include polymethyl methacrylate,

polytetrafluoroethylene, and polyoxymethylene, which can depolymerize completely

into their initial monomers. Also polystyrene, polyesters (e.g. PET and polycarbonate),

nylons and polyurethanes can depolymerise to some extent into their monomers.

Chemicals used in plastics have been detected in humans. Mainly presence of phthalates

and bisphenol, and brominated flame retardants have been studied. (Allen & Edge, M.,

1992)
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Slow Pyrolysis

The slow pyrolysis technology has a higher yield of char compared with other

pyrolysis and carbonization methods. The biochar could be used as a soil enhancer to

improve soil quality. Slow pyrolysis is the method used when char is the primary product.

The general method is running the process between 400 to 800 °C and has a heating rate

under 10 °C per minute. The feedstock used in the process is of larger particle size,

several methods can use large pieces of wood if the feeding system can handle it. To

optimize the production of char vapor is kept in the process for a longer duration of time.

These technologies have been known and used for a long time. The traditionally kilns is

still used today in some parts of the world to produce char for cooking. The simple kilns

solutions do not collect bio-oils and product gasses which cause some negative

environmental consequences. New industrial processes for slow pyrolysis is producing

both char and can collect the other products or use them for heat and power production.

The bio-oil can also contain valuable chemicals such as acetone, methanol and acetic

acids (Pecha & Garcia-Perez 2015 & Brownsort 2009).

Char

Char is the solid material that remains after light gases (e.g. coal gas) and tar have

been driven out or released from a carbonaceous material during the initial stage of

combustion, which is known as carbonization, charring, devolatilization or pyrolysis.

Further stages of efficient combustion (with or without char deposits) are known as

gasification reactions, ending quickly when the reversible gas phase of the water gas

shift reaction is reached.

 METHODOLOGY

Figure 1 shows the procedural framework of the study. It shows the sequence of

different activities that to be performed during the study.

Start

Raw Materials Preparation

Char Characterization

Collection of data
and analysis

End

Figure 1. Procedural framework of the study.

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Preparation of Materials

Plastic, polyethylene (LDPE) was obtained in College of Agriculture, WMSU, San

Ramon Talisayan, Zamboanga City and was pyrolyzed in a distillation apparatus at

temperature of 250-300 in 45 minutes. The equipment used for thermal degradation

was distillation apparatus that is available in Lazada.

Char Characterization

A. Particle density

Particle density of char was calculated using the standard of ASTM D792-91,

method A. The char was weighed in air then weighed when immersed in distilled water

at 23°C. The following formula were used to compute the particle density:

Specific gravity = a/[(a + w)-b]

a = mass of specimen in air.

b = mass of specimen and sinker (if used) in water.

w = mass of totally immersed sinker if used and partially immersed wire.

Density, kg/m3 = (specific gravity) x (997.6)

B. Calorific value

Calorific value was determined Estimation of CV by regression by Majumder et al.

proximate analysis based correlation:

HHV = -0.03 A- 0.11M + 0.33 VM + 0.35 FC (MJ/kg)

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C. Proximate analysis

Char that was obtained from pyrolysis of agricultural plastic waste proximate

analysis viz. moisture content, volatile matter and ash of the char was conducted

according to PS No. 241-TM.01 at DOST IX.

 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Particle density was determined with five replications having an average of 34.086

g/cm³ tabulated in table 1.

Table 1. Average Particle Density of the Chars

Replications Particle Density Average Particle
(g/cm³) Density

R1 34.92
R2 33.98
R3 33.87 34.086
R4 33.41
R5 34.25

Proximate analysis and calorific value of the crude char obtained from pyrolysis of

agricultural plastic waste (LDPE) was tabulated in Table 2.It clearly states that volatile

matter is the majority moisture, ash and fixed carbon were in minority. This was because

plastic generally composed of 75.5-100 percent volatile matter, 0.1-2.75 percent

moisture content, and 0.2-0.4 percent ash(M. Abu-Quidas, 2000).

Table 2. Proximate Analysis and Calorific Value of the Char from Plastic Waste
(LDPE).
Proximate analysis(%wt) Moisture 2.776±0.032
Volatile matter 93.955±5.885
Fixed carbon 0
Ash 0.225±0.015

Calorific value(MJ/kg) 28.751

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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Volatile matter was the main component on the crude char obtained from pyrolysis

of LDPE plastics. Calorific value was 28.751 MJ/kg.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

The researcher recommend to conduct further research with activation of the char by

determining its ultimate analysis and using catalyst to produce much higher quality of

char. Since plastics have the ability to adsorb organic pollutants such as polycyclic

aromatic hydrocarbons (Mara Fisner et al,2013) and with the char obtained from LDPE,

and given their high volatility, it is also recommended to test their adsorption properties

and utilization of the char as naphthalene or as candle wax.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Allen NS, Edge M., (1992), Fundamentals of polymer degradation

and stabilization, Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd, Barking.

Elizabeth A.Williams and Paul T.Williams. Analysis of products derived from the fast
pyrolysis of plastic waste(1997).

Erik Jonsson(2016), Slow pyrolysis in Brista An evaluation of heat and biochar

production in sweden, ERIK JONSSON(2016).

Ian C. Mcneill, in Comprehensive Polymer Science and Supplements, 1989. Polymer

Reactions

Mara Fisner et al,2013, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in plastic

pellets

Muhammad, C, Onwudili, JA and Williams, PT (2015) Thermal degradation of

real-world waste plastics and simulated mixed plastics in a two-stage
pyrolysis-catalysis reactor for fuel production. Energy and Fuels.

Plastics Europe (2009), Compelling facts about plastics, An analysis

of European plastics production, demand and recovery for 2008.
Brussles: Plastics Europe.

R.Miandadab. Catalytic pyrolysis of plastic waste: A review

Zabaniotou G. Stavropoulos (2003) Pyrolysis of used automobile tires and residual

char utilization.
APPENDICES
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Cost of the Study

Appendix Table 1 .Budgetary Requirement

QUANTITY SPECIFICATION/ PRICE Amount

DESCRIPTION (Php)

I.Production

Inputs/Materials

1 500ml Distillation 2,445.00 2,445.00

apparatus

2 Sanitary gloves 15.00 30.00

2 Surgical face mask 45.00 90.00

Char obtained Proximate Analysis 2,348.00 2,348.00

(Moisture, Volatile

Matter, Ash and

Fixed Carbon),

(DOST)

III.Thesis outline

and manuscript

Printing 760 760

hardbound 900 900

Total cost of study 6,573

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Schedule of activities
Appendix Table 2. Timetable of Activities

ACTIVITY NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH

2018 2018 2018 2019 2019

Work 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Raw .

Materials

preparation

Char

Characteriz

ation

Evaluation

Data

Gathering

Data

Processing

Manuscript

Editing
DOCUMENTATION
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Preparation of materials

Weighing and degrading plastics

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Weighing of the char