Co-pyrolysis of medical protective clothing and oil palm wastes for biofuel: Experimental, techno-economic, and environmental analyses. (15th June 2023) - Su, Guangcan
Abstract: The ongoing global pandemic of COVID-19 has devastatingly influenced the environment, society, and economy around the world. Numerous medical resources are used to inhibit the infectious transmission of the virus, resulting in massive medical waste. This study proposes a sustainable and environment-friendly method to convert hazardous medical waste into valuable fuel products through pyrolysis. Medical protective clothing (MPC), a typical medical waste from COVID-19, was utilized for co-pyrolysis with oil palm wastes (OPWs). The utilization of MPC improved the bio-oil properties in OPWs pyrolysis. The addition of catalysts further ameliorated the bio-oil quality. HZSM-5 was more effective in producing hydrocarbons in bio-oil, and the relevant reaction pathway was proposed. Meanwhile, a project was simulated to co-produce bio-oil and electricity from the co-pyrolysis of OPWs and MPC from application perspectives. The techno-economic analysis indicated that the project was economically feasible, and the payback period was 6.30–8.75 years. Moreover, it was also environmentally benign as its global warming potential varied from −211.13 to −90.76 kg CO2 -eq/t. Therefore, converting MPC and OPWs into biofuel and electricity through co-pyrolysis is a green, economic, and sustainable method that can decrease waste, produce valuable fuel products, and achieve remarkable economic and environmental benefits. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The addition of MPC alters the bio-oil properties in OPWs pyrolysis. Reaction pathway of catalytic co-pyrolysis of PKS and MPC is proposed. Co-produce bio-oil and electricity from co-pyrolysis is simulated in Aspen Plus. TEA and LCA indicate a short PBP of 6.30 years and low GWP of −211.13 kg CO2 -eq/t.