(619b) End-of-Life Plastic Liquification: Opportunities and Challenges of Scaled Continuous Recycling of Molecules. | AIChE

(619b) End-of-Life Plastic Liquification: Opportunities and Challenges of Scaled Continuous Recycling of Molecules.

Authors 

Cotts, S. - Presenter, University of Illinois at Chicago
A core challenge of technological realization is the translation of scale. Alterra’s patented technology for converting mixed discarded plastic into synthetic crude-like oil has successfully scaled from bench to commercial scale with a current capability of > 50 tons of feedstock per day. Leveraging an indirectly heated rotary reactor enables high yielding hydrocarbon capture while subsequently isolating colorants, fillers, and contaminates. However, a current pinch point in the market is the wide variability of discarded plastic streams and a lack of feedstock commercialization. This presentation will outline how our process has matured to overcome technical barriers, and how feedstock sourcing is commercially commoditized.