PROCESS

Handerek Technologies developed a technology enabling an effective and efficient recycling of mixed polymer (plastic) waste – in particular, of polyolefins (polyethylene PE, polypropylene PP and polystyrene PS). After recycling, the end product is a liquid hydrocarbon which can be used as a feedstock for clean recycled plastic or as EU standard fuel components, diesel, gasoline fraction and jet fuel fractions.

Main characteristics:

  • Unwashed polyolefins mix used as feedstock
  • High recycling efficiency between 83-90% depending on mix of plastic
  • Minimal solid by-product – 1-2% dry carbon coke (commodity which can be sold)
  • Process designed to operate in a continuous mode
  • Process runs under atmospheric pressure and in low temperature
  • Process is energy self-sufficient providing gas and fuel used to operate it

STEPS OF THE PROCESS:

Sorted post-consumer polyolefin waste plastic is accepted.
Plastics is pre-treated by shredding, screening and agglomeration.
The plastic is then fed into a pre-process homogenization device.
The pre-processed plastic feeds to the depolymerization reactor in which the catalytic thermal process breaks down the carbon polymer chains into C1 to C24 hydrocarbon vapors – after this module the vapors can be condensed to ultra-low sulfur clean oil which can be used for heating, power generation or ship transportation fuel or can continue to the enrichment process.
The vapour travels to the hydrotreatment reactor where it is hydrogenated and isomerized at atmospheric pressure then condensed.
The resulting liquid hydrocarbons are then fractionated by boiling points to various hydrocarbon products such as naphtha and diesel. These products can used for feedstock to produce recycled plastics or a low-carbon alternative fuel which can be blended with traditional fuels from crude oil.
Sorted post-consumer polyolefin waste plastic is accepted.
Plastics is pre-treated by shredding, screening and agglomeration.
The plastic is then fed into a pre-process homogenization device.
The pre-processed plastic feeds to the depolymerization reactor in which the catalytic thermal process breaks down the carbon polymer chains into C1 to C24 hydrocarbon vapors – after this module the vapors can be condensed to ultra-low sulfur clean oil which can be used for heating, power generation or ship transportation fuel or can continue to the enrichment process.
The vapour travels to the hydrotreatment reactor where it is hydrogenated and isomerized at atmospheric pressure then condensed.
The resulting liquid hydrocarbons are then fractionated by boiling points to various hydrocarbon products such as naphtha and diesel. These products can used for feedstock to produce recycled plastics or a low-carbon alternative fuel which can be blended with traditional fuels from crude oil.

Tested, awarded and patented

  • Process, end product fuels and emissions tested by PIMOT Automotive Industry Institute 
  • Patent received in 2017, second patent received in 2019
  • Grands Prix and Gold Medals awarded at largest innovation and technology fairs in Europe: iNEA, INNOVA, ARCHIMEDES and INTARG