Researchers around the world are discovering new, innovative ways to decrease our dependency on toxic, non-renewable sources of energy while concentrating on discovering practical, renewable and eco-friendly substitutes.
One such clean source of fuel is biodiesel, which is produced from biological essentials such as edible and non-edible oils, animal fats and waste restaurant grease. Biodiesel is renewable as well as recyclable, making it a much cleaner, eco-friendlier source of energy.
However, the high cost of biodiesel still remains a major hurdle in the way to its broader acceptance. The answer to this dilemma has now been located: cigarette butts.
Prior studies have revealed that adding additives like triglyceride triacetin leads to improved efficiency of biodiesel in a way of reduced air pollution and improved combustibility.
Nevertheless, manufacturing triacetin is extremely hazardous to the environment, which necessitates the use of a many chemicals and produces unnecessary toxic waste.
Researchers from Kaunus University of Technology (KTU), in partnership with the Lithuanian Energy Institute, have established a way to harvest triacetin via cigarette butts, according to study published in the Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis.
In our study group, we are exploring the topics of recycling and waste organization, thus we are always looking for the waste, which existing in vast amounts and has a unique structure, said Samy Yousef, lead and corresponding author of the investigation.
Cigarettes are made of three parts – tobacco, paper and a filter made of cellulose acetate fibers – and are a good foundation of raw materials and energy. And, cigarette butts are easy to gather as there are numerous systems and businesses for gathering this waste in place, he added.
Scientists utilize pyrolysis to thermally break down the butts at temperatures of 650, 700 and 750°C.
After conducting numerous experiments, experts understood that the maximum amount of triacetin compound (43 per cent) was collected at 750°C, with yields projected at 38 wt per cent oil, 25.7 wt per cent char, and 36.4 wt per cent gas.
All these byproducts have real applications, Yousef said.
Char, which, in our circumstance, is porous and very rich in calcium, and can be utilized for fertilizers or wastewater treatment as a penetrable and energy storage. Gas can be utilized for energy purposes. Last but not least is oil, rich in triacetin, and can be used as an additive to biodiesel to decrease the cost, he added.
