Microwave pyrolysis of polystyrene and polypropylene mixtures using different activated carbon from biomass

In this study, microwave pyrolysis was experimented with mixed types of plastic waste. Two different plastic wastes polystyrene waste (PSW) and polypropylene waste (PPW) were used as feedstock. Carbon and activated carbon were synthesized from different biomass; rice husk (RH), corn husk (CH) and coconut sheath (CS) respectively which are used as microwave susceptors. The effect of impregnation on product yields was studied. Microwave pyrolysis at 900 W and with a polymer to an absorbent ratio of 10:1, produced the highest oil yield of 84.30 wt% when coconut sheath activated carbon (CSAC) was used as an absorbent. The reaction time was 10 min for the complete decomposition of polymer mixtures. Oil properties were determined and a high calorific value of 46.87 MJ kg−1 was obtained. These properties were compared to conventional fuel properties and the product oil has a density of 0.76 g ml−1 and viscosity of 2.4 cSt which is an equivalent fraction obtained to that of gasoline. Product oil has a styrene recovery of 67.58% from microwave pyrolysis. The results demonstrate that, microwave pyrolysis has a great potential for energy recovery from mixed plastic waste and the use of agricultural residues as absorbents enhanced the production efficiency of the process.