From waste to clean energy: multi-objective optimization of engine efficiency and emissions using waste plastic oil

Authors : Arif Savaş, Samet Uslu, Tuğba Kaya
Pages : 215-228
Doi:10.18245/ijaet.1691757
View : 72 | Download : 66
Publication Date : 2025-09-30
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Plastics are used in a wide variety of industries due to their advantages such as being light, flexible, and easy to shape. Today, the use of plastics is increasing every year due to the increasing consumption frenzy. Although the average lifespan of plastics is approximately 10 years, it takes years for them to decompose in nature on their own. In this study, the potential of converting waste plastic cables into oil was investigated, and the effects of blending this oil with diesel on engine performance and emissions were evaluated. The aim is to offer an alternative solution to the environmental problems caused by increasing plastic waste and fossil fuel dependence. To create test fuels, the generated oil was combined with diesel fuel in three distinct volumetric ratios (10%, 20%, and 30%). A 4-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder diesel engine was used to test these test fuels at a constant speed of 3000 rpm while under six distinct loads (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 kW). Utilizing the data from the studies utilizing the response surface methodology (RSM), the ideal engine load was 1.5 kW, and the ideal waste plastic oil ratio was 14%. Under ideal conditions, brake thermal efficiency (BTE) was determined to be 23.17%, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) to be 371.48 g/kWh, nitrogen oxide (NOx) to be 495.96, carbon dioxide (CO2) to be 5.29%, hydrocarbon (HC) to be 21.93 ppm, and carbon monoxide (CO) to be 0.049%. In the optimization study, the lowest correlation coefficient (R2) value belongs to CO with 97.43%. The highest error rate belongs to CO with 5.69%, and the lowest error rate belongs to HC emission with 0.99%. Oil extracted from used plastic cables has been found to be useful when combined with diesel. RSM has been effectively used, exhibiting high R2 values and low error rates.
Keywords : Dizel motor, RSM, RSM, Biyodizel, Atıktan enerjiye, Atık plastik yağ

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL