Scientists convert recyclable plastic to jet fuel
Researchers at Washington State University say they ve found a cost-effective way to convert PE-based products into jet fuel and lubricants, and in a fraction of the time current plastics recycling methods take. May 21, 2021 Canadian Plastics
Photo Credit: babaroga/Abode Stock
In a lot of ways, commercial air travel isn’t what it used to be – longer check-in lines, more cramped seating, smaller meals – but here’s a big potential improvement: a new catalytic process developed by Washington State University (WSU) researchers is said to efficiently convert waste polyethylene-based products into jet fuel and high-value lubricants, and in a fraction of the time current plastics recycling methods take.
New technology converts waste polyethylene to jet fuel in an hour
Washington State University researchers have developed an innovative way to convert waste polyethylene plastic to ingredients for jet fuel and other valuable products, making it easier and more cost-effective to reuse plastics.
The researchers in their reaction were able to convert 90% of plastic to jet fuel and other valuable hydrocarbon products within an hour at moderate temperatures and to fine-tune the process easily to create the products that they want. Led by graduate student Chuhua Jia and Hongfei Lin, associate professor in the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, they report on their work in an open-access paper in the journal
Researchers have developed an innovative way to convert plastics to ingredients for jet fuel and other valuable products, making it easier and more cost effective to reuse plastics. The researchers in their reaction were able to convert 90% of plastic to jet fuel and other valuable hydrocarbon products within an hour at moderate temperatures and to easily fine-tune the process to create the products that they want.
WSU researchers have developed an innovative way to convert plastics to ingredients for jet fuel and other valuable products, making it easier and more cost effective to reuse plastics.
From plastic to jet fuel in one hour 17 May 2021
Professional Engineering
Stock image. The new method could make it more cost effective and easy to recycle plastic (Credit: Shutterstock) Waste plastic has been converted to jet fuel and other useful products within an hour thanks to a new technique.
Researchers at Washington State University developed the method, which they said makes it easier and more cost-effective to reuse plastics.
The researchers converted 90% of plastic to jet fuel and other valuable hydrocarbons at ‘moderate’ temperatures. The process can reportedly be fine-tuned to provide different products.
The work was led by graduate student Chuhua Jia and associate professor Hongfei Lin. “In the recycling industry, the cost of recycling is key,” Lin said. “This work is a milestone for us, to advance this new technology to commercialisation.”