Valorisation of Combustible Wastes to Gasoline; Its Potentials and Hurdles in Nigeria

One of the environmental problems facing developing countries, including Nigeria; is the inadequacy of efficient waste management facilities. Wastes can constitute environmental, social and economic nuisances if the wastes are not properly disposed of. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility for valorisation of combustible wastes to gasoline as a measure to resolve problems associated with the improper disposal of the wastes. The experimental procedure involved heating about 10kg of ground low density polyethylene wastes in a pyrolysis reactor at temperature range of 138 o C and 358 o C. About 75 ml of liquid fuel produced was collected and put in a round bottom flask for further separation through fractional distillation process. The volumes of three liquid fractions obtained during the fractional distillation process at 27 o C, 42 o C and 75 o C were 7mL, 20mL and 40 mL, respectively. The liquid fraction obtained at 27 o C evaporated when left uncovered for about 3 hrs. Analysis of liquid fraction obtained at 75 o C showed that the fraction had close physicochemical properties with commercial gasoline. This implies its high probability of powering electricity generator and gasoline automobile. The outcome of the research work will definitely contribute to reduction of the amount of wastes in the environment as it would enable the wastes to be used as raw materials for liquid fuel production for use in power generation. Additionally, the findings of this study will contribute to providing alternative source for conventional gasoline.