VINACHEM

Research is underway to see if a fuel made from mixed plastic waste, can be used as an alternative to crude derived fuels in industrial and marine engines.

The research will determine if Plaxx, made from residual mixed plastic waste, can be used efficiently in diesel engines which currently use HFO (Heavy Fuel Oil), without increasing engine wear. These engines are in marine vessels such as tankers, ferries and other nautical machinery.

The research is funded by Innovate UK and The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is in partnership with Swindon-based Recycling Technologies, developers of Plaxx.

Plaxx is the product of the depolymerisation of plastic and is made up of a mixture of hydrocarbon monomers similar to crude oil.

The research will develop the use of Plaxx by testing engine performance, exhaust emissions and engine wear on different engines over a broad range of test conditions. The research will also develop software tools that will monitor these three aspects to enable engine users to achieve optimum performance from Plaxx.

Recycling Technologies chief executive Adrian Griffiths, said: “The marine industry is a key market as the use of high sulphur oil is increasingly being restricted. We are now taking steps to get Plaxx qualified so that it is fit for use in medium and large marine engines.”