Production of alternative fuels by thermochemical conversion of waste materials

doctoral thesis

• Title (english): Proizvodnja alternativnih goriva termokemijskim postupcima obrade otpadnoga materijala
• Author: Hrvoje Stančin https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8481-9096
• Mentor: Neven Duić (mentor)
• Mentor: Vladimir Strezov https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9129-9284 (komentor)
• Committee member: Milan Vujanović (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Luka Perković (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Yijiao Jiang https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6191-9825 (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture; Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2023-07-17, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: TECHNICAL SCIENCES; Mechanical Engineering
• Universal decimal classification (UDC): 62 - Engineering. Technology in general

Abstract

Alternative fuels will play a crucial role in the complete decarbonisation of future energy
systems based on renewable energy sources, where electricity is not a feasible solution.
Therefore, the primary objective of this dissertation was to identify the most promising waste
biomass and plastic feedstocks for the co-pyrolysis process with an aim to produce high-quality
pyrolysis oil that could be further refined into alternative fuels compatible with existing
standards for conventional fuels. This was done by examining the feedstock properties and
running a series of experimental investigations. The results showed that sawdust, polystyrene
and polypropylene are among the most promising feedstock to be utilised in co-pyrolysis. This
evaluation is based on product quantity and quality from an individual and mixture analysis. In
addition, the environmental impacts of the process are evaluated by carrying out a life cycle
assessment. Finally, the discussion on methodology development for the prediction of product
yield is given, which can serve as a base for future research. In summary, gathered observations
from carried-out investigations can help better understand process dynamics, which is crucial
for further commercialisation.

Abstract (croatian)

Alternativna goriva imat će ključnu ulogu u tranziciji budućih energetskih sustava
baziranima na obnovljivim izvorima energije. Najviše se očekuje tamo gdje električna energija
nije održivo rješenje. Stoga je primarni cilj ove disertacije bio identificirati otpadnu biomasu i
plastiku sa najviše potencijala za proces ko-pirolize s ciljem proizvodnje visokokvalitetnog ulja
koje se može rafinirati u alternativna goriva kompatibilna s postojećim standardima za
konvencionalna goriva. To je učinjeno ispitivanjem inicijalnih svojstava sirovine i
provođenjem niza eksperimentalnih istraživanja. Rezultati su pokazali da su piljevina,
polistiren i polipropilen među sirovinama sa najviše potencijala za korištenje u ko-pirolizi. Ova
procjena temelji se na količini i kvaliteti proizvoda dobivenih za individualne uzorke te
odabranu mješavinu. Dodatno je provedena analiza utjecaja na okoliš evaluacijom štetnih
emisija iz raznih faza procesa. Konačno je prezentirana i metodologija za razvoj modela
predviđanja prinosa proizvoda koji može poslužiti kao osnova za buduća istraživanja tog
problema. Ukratko, prikupljena zapažanja iz provedenih istraživanja mogu pomoći u boljem
razumijevanju dinamike procesa, što je ključno za daljnju industrijalizaciju.

• Keywords: waste management; co-pyrolysis; alternative fuel; product characterisation; synergistic effect; environmental impact assessment
• Keywords (croatian): gospodarenje otpadom; ko-piroliza; karakterizacija produkata; sinergijski efekt; alternativna goriva; analiza utjecaja na okoliš
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:235:235715
• Promotion: 2023
• Study programme: Title: Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture; Study programme type: university; Study level: postgraduate; Academic / professional title: doktor/doktorica znanosti, područje tehničkih znanosti (doktor/doktorica znanosti, područje tehničkih znanosti)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2023-07-21 07:27:05