JeongIn Gug
Research Development II - Plastics at Birla Carbon
Volunteer Post Doc. at Virginia Tech
Ph.D. and MS in UMass Lowell
Phone: +1-770-792-9564
Address: Birla Carbon, 1800 West Oak Commons Court, Marietta, GA 30062
Volunteer Post Doc. at Virginia Tech
Ph.D. and MS in UMass Lowell
Phone: +1-770-792-9564
Address: Birla Carbon, 1800 West Oak Commons Court, Marietta, GA 30062
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and extraction of useful materials from landfills is an area of increasing interest especially in densely
populated areas. One promising technology for recycling municipal solid waste (MSW) is to burn the
high-energy-content components in standard coal power plant. This research aims to reform wastes into
briquettes that are compatible with typical coal combustion processes. In order to comply with the standards
of coal-fired power plants, the feedstock must be mechanically robust, free of hazardous contaminants,
and moisture resistant, while retaining high fuel value. This study aims to investigate the effects of
processing conditions and added recyclable plastics on the properties of MSW solid fuels. A well-sorted
waste stream high in paper and fiber content was combined with controlled levels of recyclable plastics
PE, PP, PET and PS and formed into briquettes using a compression molding technique. The effect of added
plastics and moisture content on binding attraction and energy efficiency were investigated. The stability
of the briquettes to moisture exposure, the fuel composition by proximate analysis, briquette mechanical
strength, and burning efficiency were evaluated. It was found that high processing temperature ensures
better properties of the product addition of milled mixed plastic waste leads to better encapsulation as
well as to greater calorific value. Also some moisture removal (but not complete) improves the compacting
process and results in higher heating value. Analysis of the post-processing water uptake and compressive
strength showed a correlation between density and stability to both mechanical stress and
humid environment. Proximate analysis indicated heating values comparable to coal. The results showed
that mechanical and moisture uptake stability were improved when the moisture and air contents were
optimized. Moreover, the briquette sample composition was similar to biomass fuels but had significant
advantages due to addition of waste plastics that have high energy content compared to other waste
types. Addition of PP and HDPE presented better benefits than addition of PET due to lower softening
temperature and lower oxygen content. It should be noted that while harmful emissions such as dioxins,
furans and mercury can result from burning plastics, WTE facilities have been able to control these emissions
to meet US EPA standards. This research provides a drop-in coal replacement that reduces demand
on landfill space and replaces a significant fraction of fossil-derived fuel with a renewable alternative.
and extraction of useful materials from landfills is an area of increasing interest especially in densely
populated areas. One promising technology for recycling municipal solid waste (MSW) is to burn the
high-energy-content components in standard coal power plant. This research aims to reform wastes into
briquettes that are compatible with typical coal combustion processes. In order to comply with the standards
of coal-fired power plants, the feedstock must be mechanically robust, free of hazardous contaminants,
and moisture resistant, while retaining high fuel value. This study aims to investigate the effects of
processing conditions and added recyclable plastics on the properties of MSW solid fuels. A well-sorted
waste stream high in paper and fiber content was combined with controlled levels of recyclable plastics
PE, PP, PET and PS and formed into briquettes using a compression molding technique. The effect of added
plastics and moisture content on binding attraction and energy efficiency were investigated. The stability
of the briquettes to moisture exposure, the fuel composition by proximate analysis, briquette mechanical
strength, and burning efficiency were evaluated. It was found that high processing temperature ensures
better properties of the product addition of milled mixed plastic waste leads to better encapsulation as
well as to greater calorific value. Also some moisture removal (but not complete) improves the compacting
process and results in higher heating value. Analysis of the post-processing water uptake and compressive
strength showed a correlation between density and stability to both mechanical stress and
humid environment. Proximate analysis indicated heating values comparable to coal. The results showed
that mechanical and moisture uptake stability were improved when the moisture and air contents were
optimized. Moreover, the briquette sample composition was similar to biomass fuels but had significant
advantages due to addition of waste plastics that have high energy content compared to other waste
types. Addition of PP and HDPE presented better benefits than addition of PET due to lower softening
temperature and lower oxygen content. It should be noted that while harmful emissions such as dioxins,
furans and mercury can result from burning plastics, WTE facilities have been able to control these emissions
to meet US EPA standards. This research provides a drop-in coal replacement that reduces demand
on landfill space and replaces a significant fraction of fossil-derived fuel with a renewable alternative.