This Indian techie can make fuel from plastic-waste
The planet is suffocating under the millions of tons of plastic-waste we create daily. The non-recyclable plastic-waste dumped on land also pollutes oceans and air. Concerned about this plastic menace, Amit Tandon quit his Silicon Valley job seven years ago to find a solution to the global ecological threat and finally developed a low-cost technology for converting plastic-waste into fuel. Here's all about it.
Tandon developed "Contiflow Cracker" plastic-to-fuel technology
After working for Fortune-500 companies and start-ups, Tandon came to India to contribute to the fight against plastic-waste. He founded PolyCycl, a start-up near Chandigarh that converts plastic into fuel. His company demonstrated how blendstock (used for making industrial diesel) can be extracted from abandoned plastic at much lower costs. In May'16, Tandon obtained a US patent for this "Contiflow Cracker" extraction technology.
Things needed for making an impact in plastic recycling
Even 40 years after the introduction of the concept of plastic recycling, only 14% of plastic is actually sent for recycling. Tandon says "climate concerns and environmentalism" alone cannot boost plastic recycling; a "sound economics supporting" the idea is also needed. He added the two primary things required to increase plastic-to-fuel conversion are: extracting useful, high-value fuel and low-cost extraction technology.
Patented Contiflow Cracker converts plastic into lighter distillate fuels
PolyCycl's Vice-President (Engineering) Dr. Ramakrishnan Iyer said the existing plastic-to-fuel companies in the market use first-generation systems that convert plastic waste into fuel in a batch-based process. He added these "operationally cumbersome" processes extract a low-value product, which is similar to furnace oil. But PolyCycl's Contiflow Cracker continuous process can convert the plastic waste into lighter distillate fuels that are highly usable and valuable.
Can produce 850 liters of fuel from one ton plastic
PolyCycl can reportedly extract up to 850 liters of petroleum fuel from one ton of plastic waste. It also sold the generated fuel to several industries that have used the fuel as blendstock in diesel-fired furnaces and boilers. According to Tandon, their next-generation, fully-continuous depolymerization process can also bring down the upfront capital cost by 50-75% and operational costs by 50%.
PolyCycl to set up several plastic-to-waste plants in India
Amit Tandon's PolyCycl, under a joint venture with waste management company Ramky Group, is going to establish plastic-to-fuel projects using the patented "Contiflow Cracker" technology in many Indian cities; its first plant would be set up in Hyderabad. PolyCycl also received a $1.25mn commitment for investment from WhiteField Ventures. Also, a state-owned oil and gas company has reportedly shortlisted the start-up for investment.
Have 150 queries from 50 countries: Dr. Iyer
PolyCycl is also going to license the low-cost extraction technology to waste management and chemical companies. The company expects to earn revenue from joint ventures to build and run plastic-to-fuel plants. Dr. Ramakrishnan Iyer said, "There are already 150 queries from 50 countries."
PolyCycl received CII's Indian Innovation Initiative award
Amit Tandon's PolyCycl has also been conferred with the Indian Innovation Initiative award by the top industry body, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The company's Contiflow Cracker technology has also been showcased at several global conferences, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Growth Forum in Denver, Cleantech Forum in San Francisco, Clean Energy Forum in Spain, and SxSw Eco in Austin.
