Vergleich der Verwertungssysteme werkstoffliches und rohstoffliches Polyolefinrecycling anhand von ausgewählten Abfallströmen

Translated title of the contribution: Comparison of mechanical and feedstock recycling systems for polyolefins on the basis of selected waste flows

Selina Möllnitz

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

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Abstract

Due to constantly increasing amounts of waste flows containing discarded plastics, as well as to legal recycling quotes needing to be fulfilled, it is necessary to redirect certain waste flows to suitable recycling facilities. Since the biggest mass fraction of the investigated waste flows consists of polyolefins, these were focused upon within this thesis. Mechanical recycling is not suitable for all sorts of waste flows; thus, the development of innovative recycling solutions for plastic containing waste flows is necessary. Therefore, the OMV Refining & Marketing GmbH planned and constructed a pilot plant –the ReOil process – for polyolefin processing, based on chemical recycling principles. For determination of whether suitable waste flows in appropriate amounts are present in Austria and can be used as input material, the four waste flows light packaging, mixed municipal wastes, rejects from paper/cardboard wastes recycling, and landfill-mining wastes, were selected for this thesis and analysed with regards to their general composition and polyolefin content. Based on the results gained from sorting analyses, their suitability for the two recycling options were investigated. It was determined that light packaging waste is most suitable for mechanical recycling; the fraction gained from mixed municipal waste is suitable for both recycling options; and rejects as well as fractions gained from landfill mining wastes are only suitable for chemical recycling. To evaluate whether the industrial scale application (throughput of 200.000 t/a) of the ReOil plant was expedient as opposed to extruder systems of mechanical recycling plants, both systems were juxtaposed. For this comparison, the respective upstream installed waste treatment lines, as well as both main units (extruder; ReOil plant), were compared and assessed. The qualitative comparison of waste treatment lines concluded that dry mechanical waste treatment, as used before the ReOil process, displays a simple structure and is suitable for all waste streams. The wet mechanical treatment lines of both processes show comparable structures, yet due to varying units within those lines the energy consumption, as well as CO2-emission, are lower for the ReOil process. The quantitative comparison of both main treatment processes finally concluded that both plants are suitable for high throughput.
Translated title of the contributionComparison of mechanical and feedstock recycling systems for polyolefins on the basis of selected waste flows
Original languageGerman
QualificationDipl.-Ing.
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Holzer, Clemens, Co-Supervisor (internal)
  • Pomberger, Roland, Supervisor (internal)
Award date30 Jun 2017
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Bibliographical note

embargoed until 01-06-2022

Keywords

  • mechanical recycling
  • feedstock recycling
  • polyolefin recycling
  • dry mechanical waste treatment
  • wet mechanical waste treatment

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