Modelling and Validating the Nonthermal Plasma Parameters for Producing Liquid Hydrocarbon from Solid Polyolefin Wastes.

This study solved a set of equations to verify the dynamic optimal conditions of nonthermal plasma (NTP)-chemical conversion of solid polyolefin wastes into liquid petroleum hydrocarbons. Furthermore, a novel optimisation model was validated with non-linear experimental conditions to assess the quantitative relationship between the process variables responsible for the degradation rate of wastes. The central composite design (CCD) experimental design was developed based on the Response Surface Model (RSM) technique. These techniques significantly improved the model predictions because of the more-detailed electrochemical description. Experiments were conducted in an in-house-designed and -developed NTP system with advanced data acquisition schemes. Both experimental and the numerical findings exhibited a good agreement, and the results indicated that the electrical factors of NTP could significantly affect the conversion yield (Y_conv%) of solid polyolefin-derived wastes to liquid hydrocarbons. Additionally, the model investigation indicated that factors such as power discharge ( x 1 ), voltage intensity ( x 2 ), and reaction retention time (RTT) ( x 3 ) significantly influenced the conversion yield. After optimisation, a maximum conversion percentage (Y_conv%) of ≈93% was achieved. The findings indicated that this recommended framework could be effectively employed for scaling the plasma synergistic pyrolysis technique for generating the maximal Y_conv% of plastic wastes to yield an oil. Thereafter, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique was applied to examine the accuracy of the developed structure in order to upgrade this laboratory-scale processes to an industrial-scale process with >95% effectiveness. The calorific value of the produced oil was seen to be from 43,570.5 J/g to 46,025.5 J/g due to changes of the arrangements of the process factors, which specified that the liquid hydrocarbons showed similar characteristics like commercial diesel in this respect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]