Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a new method to convert plastic waste into hydrogen using a high-temperature chemical process.
Unlike PET plastic bottles, which are easy to recycle, plastic waste containing contaminated food packaging, Styrofoam and plastic bags is difficult to recycle. They are currently incinerated or buried in landfills, causing air and ground pollution.
Using this new technology, plastic can be converted into two main products, hydrogen and a solid carbon called carbon nanotubes. Hydrogen is useful for power generation and fuel cells, like fuel cells in electric vehicles, whose only by-product is clean water.
Singapore generates 832 million kilograms of unrecycled plastic waste every year, and the converted energy could power 1,000 five-bedroom apartments for a year. If successful, the initiative will help Singapore reduce total waste disposal and extend the lifespan of Singapore's only landfill, the Sam Poh Island Landfill, which is expected to be consumed by 2035 Make the most of space.
The project will also explore the potential of other emerging technologies for decentralized waste management. Research will be conducted on how to convert challenging waste streams into energy and valuable resources such as syngas, biochar, activated carbon and carbon nanotubes. There is currently 269 million kilograms of plastic waste floating in the ocean, and the Nanyang Technological University research team estimates that, if converted into energy, this could power electric vehicles for 20 million to 40 million kilometers, equivalent to 500 million of the circumference of the Earth. to 1000 times.
