IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v50y2015icp1167-1180.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Current state and future prospects of plastic waste as source of fuel: A review

Author

Listed:
  • Wong, S.L.
  • Ngadi, N.
  • Abdullah, T.A.T.
  • Inuwa, I.M.

Abstract

Due to the depleting fossil fuel sources such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal, the present rate of economic growth is unsustainable. Therefore, many sources of renewable energy have been exploited, but the potentials of some other sources such as plastics waste are yet to be fully developed as full scale economic activity. Development and modernization have brought about a huge increase in the production of all kinds of plastic commodities, which directly or indirectly generate waste due to their wide range of applications coupled with their versatility of types and relatively low cost. The current scenario of the plastic recycling technology is reviewed in this paper. The aim is to provide the reader with an in-depth analysis with respect to the pyrolysis of plastic waste as obtained in the current recycling technology. As the calorific value of the plastics is comparable to that of hydrocarbon fuel, production of fuel from plastic waste would provide a good opportunity to utilize the waste as a better alternative to dumpsites. Different techniques of converting plastics waste into fuel including thermal and catalytic pyrolysis, microwave-assisted pyrolysis and fluid catalytic cracking are discussed in detail. The co-pyrolysis of plastics waste with biomass is also highlighted. Thus, an attempt was made to address the problem of plastic waste disposal as a partial replacement of the depleting fossil fuel with the hope of promoting a sustainable environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Wong, S.L. & Ngadi, N. & Abdullah, T.A.T. & Inuwa, I.M., 2015. "Current state and future prospects of plastic waste as source of fuel: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1167-1180.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:50:y:2015:i:c:p:1167-1180
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.063
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032115003330
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.063?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Panda, Achyut K. & Singh, R.K. & Mishra, D.K., 2010. "Thermolysis of waste plastics to liquid fuel: A suitable method for plastic waste management and manufacture of value added products--A world prospective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 233-248, January.
    2. Su Shiung Lam & Howard A. Chase, 2012. "A Review on Waste to Energy Processes Using Microwave Pyrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(10), pages 1-24, October.
    3. Mabee, Warren E. & Mannion, Justine & Carpenter, Tom, 2012. "Comparing the feed-in tariff incentives for renewable electricity in Ontario and Germany," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 480-489.
    4. Wong, S.L. & Ngadi, Norzita & Abdullah, Tuan Amran Tuan & Inuwa, I.M., 2015. "Recent advances of feed-in tariff in Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 42-52.
    5. Hossain, A.K. & Davies, P.A., 2013. "Pyrolysis liquids and gases as alternative fuels in internal combustion engines – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 165-189.
    6. Chua, Shing Chyi & Oh, Tick Hui & Goh, Wei Wei, 2011. "Feed-in tariff outlook in Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 705-712, January.
    7. Ming, Zeng & Ximei, Liu & Na, Li & Song, Xue, 2013. "Overall review of renewable energy tariff policy in China: Evolution, implementation, problems and countermeasures," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 260-271.
    8. Rigter, Jasper & Vidican, Georgeta, 2010. "Cost and optimal feed-in tariff for small scale photovoltaic systems in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(11), pages 6989-7000, November.
    9. Tongsopit, Sopitsuda & Greacen, Chris, 2013. "An assessment of Thailand's feed-in tariff program," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 439-445.
    10. Cherrington, R. & Goodship, V. & Longfield, A. & Kirwan, K., 2013. "The feed-in tariff in the UK: A case study focus on domestic photovoltaic systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 421-426.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wong, S.L. & Ngadi, Norzita & Abdullah, Tuan Amran Tuan & Inuwa, I.M., 2015. "Recent advances of feed-in tariff in Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 42-52.
    2. Lim, Xin-Le & Lam, Wei-Haur & Hashim, Roslan, 2015. "Feasibility of marine renewable energy to the Feed-in Tariff system in Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 708-719.
    3. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Twaha, Ssennoga, 2015. "Analysis of renewable energy feed-in tariffs in selected regions of the globe: Lessons for Saudi Arabia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 649-661.
    4. Jessica Coria & Gunnar Köhlin & Jintao Xu, 2019. "On the Use of Market-Based Instruments to Reduce Air Pollution in Asia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-23, September.
    5. Lo, Kevin, 2014. "A critical review of China's rapidly developing renewable energy and energy efficiency policies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 508-516.
    6. Shen, Neng & Deng, Rumeng & Liao, Haolan & Shevchuk, Oleksandr, 2020. "Mapping renewable energy subsidy policy research published from 1997 to 2018: A scientometric review," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    7. Azadian, Farshad & Radzi, M.A.M., 2013. "A general approach toward building integrated photovoltaic systems and its implementation barriers: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 527-538.
    8. Sadhukhan, Jhuma & Martinez-Hernandez, Elias & Murphy, Richard J. & Ng, Denny K.S. & Hassim, Mimi H. & Siew Ng, Kok & Yoke Kin, Wan & Jaye, Ida Fahani Md & Leung Pah Hang, Melissa Y. & Andiappan, Vikn, 2018. "Role of bioenergy, biorefinery and bioeconomy in sustainable development: Strategic pathways for Malaysia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 1966-1987.
    9. Martin, Nigel J. & Rice, John L., 2017. "Examining the use of concept analysis and mapping software for renewable energy feed-in tariff design," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 211-220.
    10. Setiawan, Andri D. & Dewi, Marmelia P. & Jafino, Bramka Arga & Hidayatno, Akhmad, 2022. "Evaluating feed-in tariff policies on enhancing geothermal development in Indonesia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    11. Bougette, Patrice & Charlier, Christophe, 2015. "Renewable energy, subsidies, and the WTO: Where has the ‘green’ gone?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 407-416.
    12. Ge, Shengbo & Yek, Peter Nai Yuh & Cheng, Yoke Wang & Xia, Changlei & Wan Mahari, Wan Adibah & Liew, Rock Keey & Peng, Wanxi & Yuan, Tong-Qi & Tabatabaei, Meisam & Aghbashlo, Mortaza & Sonne, Christia, 2021. "Progress in microwave pyrolysis conversion of agricultural waste to value-added biofuels: A batch to continuous approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    13. Zhang, M.M. & Zhou, D.Q. & Zhou, P. & Chen, H.T., 2017. "Optimal design of subsidy to stimulate renewable energy investments: The case of China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 873-883.
    14. Islam, Md Tasbirul & Huda, Nazmul & Saidur, R., 2019. "Current energy mix and techno-economic analysis of concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies in Malaysia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 789-806.
    15. Barroco, Jose & Herrera, Maria, 2019. "Clearing barriers to project finance for renewable energy in developing countries: A Philippines case study," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    16. Alaa A. F. Husain & Maryam Huda Ahmad Phesal & Mohd Zainal Abidin Ab Kadir & Ungku Anisa Ungku Amirulddin & Abdulhadi H. J. Junaidi, 2021. "A Decade of Transitioning Malaysia toward a High-Solar PV Energy Penetration Nation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, September.
    17. Coria, Gustavo & Penizzotto, Franco & Pringles, Rolando, 2019. "Economic analysis of photovoltaic projects: The Argentinian renewable generation policy for residential sectors," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 1167-1177.
    18. Aliashim Albani & Mohd Zamri Ibrahim & Che Mohd Imran Che Taib & Abd Aziz Azlina, 2017. "The Optimal Generation Cost-Based Tariff Rates for Onshore Wind Energy in Malaysia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-16, July.
    19. Yamamoto, Yoshihiro, 2015. "Opinion leadership and willingness to pay for residential photovoltaic systems," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 185-192.
    20. Aquila, Giancarlo & Pamplona, Edson de Oliveira & Queiroz, Anderson Rodrigo de & Rotela Junior, Paulo & Fonseca, Marcelo Nunes, 2017. "An overview of incentive policies for the expansion of renewable energy generation in electricity power systems and the Brazilian experience," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 1090-1098.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pyrolysis; Polymer; Review; Fuel; Plastics;
    All these keywords.

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:50:y:2015:i:c:p:1167-1180. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.