Harnessing waste-to-energy potential from plastic waste co-incineration
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1
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland
2
Faculty of Science and Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa Czestochowa, Poland
3
Department of Heat, Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering, "Angel Kanchev" University of Ruse, 7017 Ruse, Bulgaria
4
Department of Transport, "Angel Kanchev" University of Ruse, 7017 Ruse, Bulgaria
5
Mechanical & Construction Engineering Department, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE18ST, UK
6
Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., 64849, Mexico
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Corresponding author
Dariusz Kwiatkowski
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland
Adv. Sci. Technol. Res. J. 2025; 19(5):232-247
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ABSTRACT
The development of civilization has resulted in increasing waste, including plastic. Strict legal regulations enforce the limitation of waste storage. The best neutralization method is thermal utilization, with the possibility of heat recovery.
The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a novel analysis of the results of thermal tests (TG/DTG/DSC/MS) in the air for selected polyamide, biomass, coal sludge, hard coal, and fly ashes wastes and their mixtures. The focus is particularly on the exothermic effect and CO2 emission from the combustion of these waste mixtures. This unique approach to waste management research promises to shed new light on the thermal behavior of waste materials and their environmental impact.
The addition of fly ashes significantly reduces exothermic effects, while the inclusion of biomass, coal, and coal sludge wastes in the plastic notably amplifies exothermic effects. The addition of coal sludge, biomass, and fly ash to the plastic waste results in a substantial decrease in CO2 emissions. However, supplementing hard coal with this plastic waste leads to a marked increase in CO2 emissions, albeit still lower than coal alone. These findings underscore the crucial role of waste composition in the exothermic effects and CO2 emissions during combustion.
The innovation of the article results from the combination of experimental thermal research with the use of artificial intelligence to model thermal effects and CO2 emissions. The paper introduces the fuzzy logic methods-based model, which allows the prediction of total exothermic impact and CO2 emissions. Due to the absence of such tools, the developed SIMO (Single Input and Multiple Outputs) model brings a new framework for managing thermal processes in waste-to-energy systems. The model delivers new optimization functionalities for sustainable development and increased energy efficiency within the net-zero emissions strategy by providing insights into the energy potential and environmental implications essential for combating climate change, which is important in the energy discipline.