Polyethylene Terephthalate Plasma Gasification

Plasma-air gasification of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was studied experimentally and thermodynamically. An analysis of the gasification degree, specific energy consumption, and gas phase composition was conducted. Plasma torch power ranged from 68.7 to 82.1 kW, while PET and air consumption were 8–11 and 19.4 kg/h, respectively. Plasma torch power of 82.1 kW with a corresponding reactor wall temperature of 1704 K achieved a maximum fuel gas concentration of 60.8% and a minimum concentration of ballast impurities. PET was gasified up to 80.8%. Specific energy consumption for the PET gasification process was 1.2 kWh/kg. Studies have confirmed the potential for plasma-air gasification for converting PET into fuel gas using a plasma reactor.