Millions of
tons of plastic waste generated every year around the world are now causing
problems. Plastics have been in the environment for hundreds of years, but now
they can be converted into environmentally friendly hydrogen fuels through
microwave processing. Although chemists have been making hydrogen from plastics
for many years, the microwave process makes it easier and faster.
Significantly,
it also reduces energy costs. According to a study, the UK alone produces 1.5
million tons of plastic waste every year, which is a stubborn pile of
disposable plastic. The bags contain 14% hydrogen.
In this way,
hydrogen can be extracted from plastics as fuel. The most common method is to
heat plastic waste to extremely high temperatures (750 degrees Celsius). It
then becomes sun gas, a combination of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. In the
next step, the two gases are separated to form hydrogen.
Instead of
this long and wide process, Professor Peter put the plastic in a normal blender
and made it into a fine powder. Then catalyzed iron oxide and aluminum oxide were
added. It was then placed in a 1000 watt power microwave generator. Thus,
hydrogen gas started leaking from many places and 97% of the amount of hydrogen
came out in the whole process. The process took only a few seconds and thus the
plastic was converted to hydrogen at a low cost.
The
surviving nanocarbon tubes in this process could be used for other purposes.
Experts say that only 300 grams of plastic have been tested in this process. In
the next step, several kilograms of hydrogen will be extracted. It will then be
tested on an industrial scale.
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