IPOH, Malaysia August 22 — An environmental engineering expert has
suggested that the government consider the “fast pyrolysis” technology as a
disposal method for the country’s plastic waste.
Environmental engineer Frank Wilson, who has 40 years
experience in water and waste treatment, said “fast pyrolysis” technology does
not emit any hazardous toxins such as dioxin, which can be found in other
technologies which involve incineration.
“Unlike the
technologies which involve incineration that requires oxygen to burn and
produce dioxin, fast pyrolysis does not involve any burning as it is the
process of heating organic matter in the absence of oxygen and making it
decompose to produce flue gas, liquid oil, diesel and biochar (fertiliser),” he
told Malay Mail.
“Normal pyrolysis
operates at 450 degrees Celsius, but fast pyrolysis operates at the temperature
of 950 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, all organics vaporise and
virtually no ash is formed.
“The condensed gases
include naphtha and high-quality diesel,” he added.
His comments follow an announcement by the government recently
that they are looking at turning plastic trash in the country into alternative
fuel and source for producing cement.
Wilson said that technology also produces less flue gas
compared to direct combustion in the way of incineration.
He added that said once the pyrolysis process begins no
external heating is required and the remaining gas can be used to produce
electricity and sold to the grid.
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