Monash University engineers develop process to transform recyclable plastics into fuel

MONASH University researchers are working to solve two of Melbourne’s big problems — piles of rubbish for recycling and high petrol prices.

MONASH University researchers are working to solve two of Melbourne’s big problems — piles of rubbish for recycling and high petrol prices.

A prototype processing plant is being built that will turn plastic into diesel fuel.

The chemical engineers say that most of the plastics — polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and even polyvinyl chloride — can be processed into liquid fuel.

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Dr Srikanth Chakravartula Srivatsa. Picture: Monash University

Researchers Professor San­kar Bhattacharya and Dr Srikanth Chakravartula Srivatsa also believe the technology could be used to recycle tyres.

The university team is now working with three Melbourne councils — Monash, Dandenong and Knox — to take the process from the lab into the real world.

Councils across Victoria are struggling to dispose of plastics for recycling after China stopped importing low-quality recyclable material. Many are increasing their waste service charges to cope with the rising cost of rubbish disposal.

In the Monash process, the plastics are heated to about 400C to break them down and then processed into liquid fuel.

The team is already working on a business case and is talking to possible investors.

A prototype processing plant is being built that will turn plastic into diesel fuel. Picture: Nathan Edwards

“If everything falls into place, we start the work and within one year we have a plant built here — subject, of course, to EPA approval, land availability and all those kinds of things. But, really, it can be done that quickly,” Professor Bhattacharya said.

Other plastic recycling solutions such as creating playground equipment, chairs or fleece were to welcomed, he said, but ultimately postpone the problem.

“These things also have a shelf life, and at some point the question of recycling them will arise again, or else these will go to landfill,’’ he said.

In the Monash process, the plastics are heated to about 400C to break them down and then processed into liquid fuel.

Even some of the gaseous emissions produced during the procedure can be reused to heat the reactors to sustain the process, Professor Bhattacharya said.