Augmented hydrogen production by gasification of ball milled polyethylene with Ca(OH)₂ and Ni(OH)₂

Highlights

PE ball milling pretreatment induces higher H₂ production and purity by gasification.

Ca(OH)₂ reacts at solid state with PE boosting H₂ and capturing CO₂.

Ca(OH)₂ significantly reduces methanation side-reaction.

Abstract

Polymer thermal recycling for hydrogen production is a promising process to recover such precious element from plastic waste. In the present work a simple but efficacious high energy milling pre-treatment is proposed to boost H₂ generation during polyethylene gasification. The polymer is co-milled with calcium and nickel hydroxides and then it is subjected to thermal treatment. Results demonstrate the key role played by the calcium hydroxide that significantly ameliorates hydrogen production. It reacts in solid state with the polyethylene to form directly carbonate and hydrogen. In this way, the CO₂ is immediately captured in solid form, thus shifting the equilibrium toward H₂ generation and obtaining high production rate (>25 L/mol CH₂). In addition, high amounts of the hydroxide prevent excessive methane formation, so the gas product is almost pure hydrogen (~95%).

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Hydrogen production / Gasification / Plastic waste / High energy ball milling

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Major Science and Technology Program for Water Pollution Control and Treatment in China (Grant No. 2017ZX07202004).

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