Tratamento térmico para aproveitamento energético de resíduos plásticos: análise experimental

Abstract

The current energy scenario requires studies and efforts to develop innovative technologies, in a sustainable manner, with respect to optimize the use of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Specifically, it is noted nowadays an exaggerated consumption and consequent accumulation of plastic residues derived from petroleum. These residues cause considerable problems in the world, due to its large volume and difficulty of treatment. Thus, alternatives and strategies for recycling and recovery of post-consumer plastics are being developed to reduce the impact created by them. For these reasons, this work aims to experimentally analyze the heat treatment of pyrolysis for energy use of plastic residues samples (ARPs, in portuguese), through the development of an experimental apparatus containing a reactor and other equipment for the collection and analysis of pyrolysis gases. Information is also sought, through energy balances, to quantify the energy expenditure to carry out pyrolysis, that is, to study the sustainability and feasibility of energy recycling. The experiments were conducted at the Heat and Mass Transfer Laboratory of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Federal University of Uberlândia and consisted of characterizing the ARPs, performing pyrolysis, evaluating non-condensable gases by gas chromatography, determining gas density and heating value. The experiments were conducted in accordance with current national and international standards, in addition to specific ordinances for the thermal treatment of municipal solid waste. It was found that temperature and pressure have a strong influence on the pyrolysis process of ARPs. In addition, a significant difference was found in the ARPs thermo-degradation curves when compared to data available in the scientific literature. From the experimental results, blends of ARPs were defined to meet the purpose of generating energy and reducing environmental impact. In general, this work demonstrated that the pyrolysis process can be a viable alternative that, together with the recycling process, can contribute significantly to add value to plastic residues and thus avoid its incorrect disposal in the environment, dumps and landfills.