Photocatalytic assisted microwave-based plasma pyrolyser: A solution for COVID-19 related wastes?

The aim of this mini-review is to explore the potential of indigenous photocatalytic assisted microwave plasma based pyrolyser for COVID-19 related wastes (gloves, masks, bottles, personal protective equipment (PPE), etc.) conversion into liquid oil. Plasma pyrolysis can provide solution for complete pyrolysis of typical hospital wastes not limited to PPE wastes. Literature survey reveals that pyrolysis of polystyrene (PS) plastic waste feedstock can yield up to 80% of pyrolytic oil including styrene, ethylbenzene and toluene with their physico-chemical properties such as density, viscosity, flash point, freezing point, pour point, and high heating values very similar to the conventional diesel and therefore, possess potential as an alternative source for power generation. It is suggested that char produced from pyrolysis has requisite properties for electro-oxidation of CO2. Moreover, if such a system could be integrated with a microwave heating process having absorbents like silicon carbide and different catalyst combinations, up to 32% energy saving could be done in the process that would be rapid, uniform and energy-efficient.