Military Solid Waste Reformer: A Pilot Study to Convert Military Waste to Logistics Fuel in the Field
Abstract
The Military Solid Waste Reformer project was a laboratory validation of conventional gasification and/or pyrolysis processes for the conversion of military field waste to liquid fuels in the field. Our approach to solve the military waste disposal and fuel supply problems was to convert the waste to a liquid fuel that can be used in place of or blended with conventional logistic fuels, particularly JP-8. Thus the logistics, fiscal, and environmental burdens were simultaneously addressed. Representative polymer wastes (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene) were convened to liquid hydrocarbons using a zeolite-catalyzed pyrolysis process at temperatures ranging from 350C-425C. The liquid fuel produced from the mixed plastic waste was similar to JP-8 both in distribution of carbon number and heating value. The composition of the pyrolysis liquids depended strongly both on the type of catalyst and on the feedstock composition. Batch production of liquid feel for electricity generation was selected as the basis for a detailed conceptual process design. The manufacturing cost of trailer-mounted batch mixed plastic to liquid fuel conversion systems was estimated at low (10 units) and high (10,000 units) production levels. The resulting payback period from avoided feel costs with typical JP-8 powered generator operation is approximately six months.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA426445
Entities
People
- Duane B. Myers
- Gregory D. Ariff
- John S. Lettow