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Metalized Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Film into Light Constituent Petrol for
Vehicle
RESEARCH PLAN
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RATIONALE
Fuel is currently one of the most widely used energy sources in the world. The
energy generated by fuel has many applications, such as powering vehicles and providing
electricity for homes and buildings. The Philippines, at present time, imports almost all of
the energy used for power generation which causes high power rates. Our country has
only small power plants that imply low efficiency which affects power rates because fuel
consumption pegs 40 to 60 percent of the cost of generating electricity. Seeking
alternative sources of energy in the place of conventional fuels has become the need.
(Suarez, 2018)
Plastics, on the other hand, are capable of producing enormous amount of energy.
They are made by polymerization of hydrocarbons. Plastics are created primarily from
energy feedstock, typically hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas, coal or oil. The
hydrocarbons that make up plastics are embodied in the material itself, essentially
making plastics a form of stored energy, which can be turned into a liquid fuel source.
(Rogers, 2015)
Through converting waste plastics into a reliable source of liquid fuel, the need to
find alternative source of fuel will be resolved. Aside from that, this will also be helpful
in managing plastic wastes in the community. According to Mateo (2018), the Philippines
annually produces 2,7 million tons of plastic waste and about half a million tons leave the
Pacific Ocean which adversely affects the environment including wildlife, wildlife
habitat, and humans. Disposal of waste plastic is of great concern for everybody as it
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takes decades to decompose if left at its own. By turning plastic wastes into liquid fuel,
the growing number of wastes, particularly plastics, in our district will be lessen.
The purpose of this study is to convert metalized polyethylene terephthalate wastes
that are used for food packaging, into liquid fuel that will be a good alternative source of
fuel and a great help in managing the growing amount of plastic wastes in our society.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This study aims to determine the capabilities of metalized polyethylene terephthalate
film into light fuel for vehicle.
Specifically, this study is concerned with seeking answers to the following questions:
1. How may the obtained light fractional gasoline grade fuel be described in terms
of:
I. thermodynamic properties
a. system work
b. pressure
c. heat transfer
II. flowing properties
III. component distribution
IV. performance properties
2. Is there a significant difference on the thermodynamic properties of the metalized
polyethylene terephthalate film fuel to the traditional gasoline?
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3. Is there a significant difference on the overall efficiency of the metalized
polyethylene terephthalate film fuel to the traditional gasoline?
HYPOTHESES
H0: There is no significant difference between the thermodynamic properties of the
metalized polyethylene terephthalate film fuel to the traditional gasoline.
There is no significant difference between the overall efficiency of the metalized
polyethylene terephthalate film fuel to the traditional gasoline.
Ha: There is a significant difference between the thermodynamic properties of the
metalized polyethylene terephthalate film fuel to the traditional gasoline.
There is a significant difference between the overall efficiency of the metalized
polyethylene terephthalate film fuel to the traditional gasoline.
ENGINEERING GOALS
This study will aim to achieve the following:
Develop and improve Hydrocarbon fuel at low cost.
Decrease the numerous amounts of waste plastics.
Solve the problem of low diesel production.
Determine the capability of the thermal degradation process in the conversion of
plastics to fuel.
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Benefit the stakeholder of the community responsible for waste management and
Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council.
Determine the durability of the Hydrocarbon Fuel in different aspects.
Give way to solutions that may eradicate the hindrances and difficulties regarding
waste plastics.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The process of pyrolysis and condensation will be unharmful to the environment
and humans.
Municipal waste officials will not need to import fuels from different places
often because this machine will serve as a life-saver.
The hydrocarbon fuel will contribute a lot in getting rid of waste plastics in the
environment.
The process will successfully work in converting waste plastics into fuel
This study will help the government concerned about environmental wastes in
eliminating and solving environmental problems and risks due to plastic wastes.
PROCEDURES
MATERIALS
Waste plastics are the raw materials in this study. These waste plastics can be found
at home or some landfills here in Mariveles, Bataan. This investigation needs a charcoal
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stove, biscuit can and the metalized polyethylene terephthalate film from the waste
plastics in order to perform the pyrolysis process. The biscuit can should have a hole on
one of its side in able to place the iron pipe before going to the next process. In the
process of condensation, an iron pipe, hose, and plastics bottles are needed. The iron pipe
should be at least 5 inches long. The plastic bottle will cut into half and put holes on each
side. The hose will be inserted in the holes and it will serve as the passageway of the fuel.
Charcoal Stove Biscuit Can
Metalized PET film from waste plastics Iron pipe
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Hose Plastic bottles
METHODS
PYROLYSIS
Waste plastics will undergo the thermal processing without the presence of air or
oxygen called as the pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is a process of chemically decomposing
organic materials at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen. The process
typically occurs at temperatures above 430°C (800°F) and under pressure. It
simultaneously involves the change of physical phase and chemical composition, and
is an irreversible process. (Walker, 2013)
The charcoal stove will be the source of heat. Before putting it on fire, place the
biscuit can first. It should have a hole on one of its side and an iron pipe is attached to it.
Put the waste plastics inside the biscuit can. Close the biscuit can and make sure that it is
sealed so that any amount of air will not enter. Put some briquettes on the charcoal stove
and light up the fire. In the process of conversion of waste plastics into fuels, random
depolymerization is carried out in a specially designed reactor in the absence of oxygen
and in the presence of coal and certain catalytic additives. The maximum reaction
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temperature is 350°C. There is total conversion of waste plastics into value-added
fuel products. (Gao, 2010)
CONDENSATION
After performing the process of pyrolysis, condensation takes place. Condensation
is a change in the state of water from a gas or vapor form into liquid form. It
generally happens when vapor in warm air encounters a cool surface. But
condensation doesn't need a solid surface to take place, as it can occur when a warm
pocket of water vapor encounters colder gasses. (Sarokin, 2018)
In this process, the other side of the iron pipe is connected to a hose. This hose is
sunken on a half plastic bottle filled with water. This helps in the conversion of gaseous
elements into liquid form. The heated plastics will produce warm air or vapor and it will
travel through the iron pipe and to the hose. According to Sarokin (2018), in a vapor
form, the molecules are energetic, fast moving and far apart. When this warm air or vapor
encounters the cool temperature of the water, these molecules will become less energetic,
slower and closer together. The vapor will change into liquid after the molecules reached
its maximum energy level. Since the metalized polyethylene terephthalate film from the
waste plastics has some properties that emit energy, the liquid becomes the fuel. It will
come out of the hose and will be stored on a different plastic bottle.
RISKS
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PYROLYSIS
The hazards associated with process of pyrolysis arise from the releases of toxic
gases and explosions. Hydrocarbons exempted from the pyrolysis reaction are
highly flammable. Under the enough heat and oxygen, an explosion may occur.
(Henan Doing Mechanical Equipment Co., Ltd, 2015)
Equip various safety devices to keep waste tyre/plastic pyrolysis plant running
safely. (Henan Doing Mechanical Equipment Co., Ltd, 2015)
BISPHENOL-A (BPA)
The most famous toxic chemical in plastics is Bisphenol-A, or BPA, which is a
hormone disruptor linked to a whole host of health problems. In addition to BPA
and BPS, studies show that plastics leech synthetic estrogen mimickers into the
food or liquids stored inside them, which are linked to cancer, infertility, heart
disease, and other health problems. (Made Safe, 2016)
Maintain an organized and orderly facility. Communicate hazards to everyone in
the facility. Follow basic safety procedures. Use engineering controls. Use
Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) as needed or required. Follow
requirements for high hazard chemicals. Prepare for accidents and emergencies.
Dispose chemical wastes properly. (UC San Diego, 2018)
RESEARCH DESIGN AND STATISTICAL TESTS
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All the raw data obtained during this study were processed and statistically analysed.
One-way ANOVA, two-sample t-test or Tukey’s grouping tests were performed using
Minitab Express software.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gao F. (2010) Pyrolysis of Waste Plastics into Fuels. Retrieved from
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/35463715.pdf
Henan Doing Mechanical Equipment Co., Ltd (September, 2015) How do we ensure the
pyrolysis plant process in a safe way? Retrieved from
http://www.doinggroup.com/index.php?u=show-956.html
Walker K. (2013, January 17) What is Pyrolysis? Retrieved from
https://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=336
Sarokin D. (2018, August 16) How to Explain the Process of Condensation. Retrieved
from https://sciencing.com/explain-process-condensation-children-5124290.html
UC San Diego (2018, August 29) General Chemical Safety Guidelines. Retrieved from
https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/research-lab/chemical/general/index.html
Rogers, T. (2015, July 22). How Plastics Are Made and What You Need To Know About
Them. Retrieved from: https://www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/how-plastics-are-
made-and-what-you-need-to-know-about-them
Suarez, D. (2018, April 26). Power problems. Retrieved from:
https://www.doe.gov.ph/energist/power-problems
Mateo, J. (2018, May 3). Philippines, major contributor to plastic in oceans.Retrieved
from: https://www.philstar.com/business/science-and-
environment/2018/05/03/1811546/philippines-major-contributor-plastic-oceans
