Reply #115: In Theory, This Works. [View All]

[ProfessorGAC]

Would need a huge supply of hydrogen though, since the preponderance of polymers are unsaturated organics. (PVC, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Aramid, Orlon, Nylon, Neoprene, TEP, etc. etc. etc.)

The energy needed to decompose the polymers, without combusting, will be huge. This idea is well-founded in chemistry, but it sure would take a lot of energy. The net energy balance would be substantially negative. For one thing, the energy that went into making the polymers is already spent. Then, the recovery of those polymers would take energy. Then, the TDP process would be energy intensive.

It is a way to make relatively simple carbon chain compounds from waste products, which could then be fully refined into fuel, but it would be expensive, time consuming and energy intensive.
The Professor