Abstract: Plastics like other materials have wide engineering applications. This is because of their lightweight and are resistant to corrosion among others. However, the amount of plastic waste generated every day produces a significant environmental threat. There is therefore a need to convert plastic wastes into useful products using thermochemical techniques. Pyrolysis has been found a reliable method. However, to the best knowledge of the author, few pyrolysis batch reactor designs exist. During the study, attention was focused on designing and fabricating a prototype pyrolysis batch reactor. The reactor was made of mild steel with a capacity of 1.2x10-2m3/batch of waste plastic. This was tested for five batches using 1000 g of LDPE plastics per batch. The temperature was maintained at 250, 350, and 450°C and at residence times of 40, 50, and 60 minutes. The test result showed that the highest amount of oil produced was 250 mL while the lowest amount of oil produced was 132 mL at 450°C and 250°C. The lowest char quantity produced was 450 g and the highest was 600 g at 450°C and 250°C respectively. The highest (19.28 %) conversion efficiency was achieved at 450°C whereas the lowest (10.18%) was obtained at 250°C. Similarly, the waste reduction efficiency of waste plastics in oil increased as the external heat temperature was increased with the highest value (55 %) obtained at 450°C and the lowest (40%) waste reduction value obtained at 250°C. The study showed that the pyrolysis reactor was found to be more operational and functional at 450°C and 60 minutes of temperature and residence time respectively.Abstract: Plastics like other materials have wide engineering applications. This is because of their lightweight and are resistant to corrosion among others. However, the amount of plastic waste generated every day produces a significant environmental threat. There is therefore a need to convert plastic wastes into useful products using thermochemical techni...Show More
Abstract: Known as an iconic location for biodiversity conservation, the Galapagos Islands face a significant challenge due to their reliance on fossil fuels, making them more vulnerable to climate change and other environmental threats. With the purpose of addressing this problem, this article presents a bibliographical review focused on the use of renewable energies and offers an exhaustive analysis of its efficiency and energy potential. The fundamental objective of this research was to identify and evaluate the different sources of renewable energy available and their impact on the conservation of the study site. To achieve this purpose, a qualitative and descriptive analysis of alternative energies was carried out. The information was collected and classified according to the type of energy generated, the CO2 reduction associated with each source and its general contribution to the sustainability of the islands. Three types of clean energy implemented in the region have been identified. Wind energy stands out as the main source of supply for the local population, contributing 52% (8500 Kw). Photovoltaic energy which contributes 36% (5570 Kw), and finally, thermal energy, based on pine nut oil biodiesel, contributes 12% (1760 Kw) of the total energy supplied, in addition to all of these, avoiding the propagation of 25,660 tons of CO2 and the use of 35,900 liters of diesel per year, with the findings found in this investigation it is concluded that the different sustainable energy projects implemented in the Islands comply with their efficiency by reducing gas emissions greenhouse effect thus promoting environmental sustainability and increasing energy potential.Abstract: Known as an iconic location for biodiversity conservation, the Galapagos Islands face a significant challenge due to their reliance on fossil fuels, making them more vulnerable to climate change and other environmental threats. With the purpose of addressing this problem, this article presents a bibliographical review focused on the use of renewabl...Show More
