polystyrene added to bio-diesel (foam cups)

[mike90045]

Article at newscientist.com
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17066-plastic-cups-could-boost-auto-performance.html

"One can recycle any kind of plastic, but if you are camped in a remote area, recycling is not an option," Kong says. "Turning plastic into fuel is a way to get rid of garbage and generate electricity."

Kong and colleagues dissolved polystyrene – a polymer used to make disposable foam plates and cups – into biodiesel at concentrations ranging from 2 to 20% polystyrene by weight. "A polystyrene cup will dissolve almost instantly in biodiesel, like a snowflake in water," Kong says, although the plastic doesn't break down as well in petroleum-based diesel and other liquid fuels.


After 5% though, it tends to increase the fuel visciocity and gum things up.

[WGB]

Thanks now I have to staring eating at fast food places again!

[Veggiefuel]

Biodiesel is virtually a carbon neutral fuel. I wonder what they are trying to achieve by adding dissolved plastic (hydrocarbons) ?

I don't think it would boost cetane, add power, or burn cleaner.

First impression is that it allows them to use the trusty old diesel engine as a garbage can to burn the refuse in minuet quantities.

It would be interesting to see the effect on the exhaust emissions.

Veggie

[mike90045]

First impression is that it allows them to use the trusty old diesel engine as a garbage can to burn the refuse in minuet quantities.
It would be interesting to see the effect on the exhaust emissions.
Veggie

Right, rather than trucking waste out, to be pounded into a landfill, burn what burns easily.

[lowspeedlife]

Sounds like a "do only if told to & if uncle sam is footing the bill " sort of thing to me. I don't think I would want to "plastic coat" the insides of my pumps, injectors & lines. if the stuff disolves so easily, dissolve it, reclaim it & make more cups & plates out of it!

[HitorMiss]

I say dissolve as much as you can in your biodiesel, then slice off pieces to throw in your oil-burning stove.