RUI: The Chemistry and Engineering of Waste Oils and Blends in their Conversion to Fuel Oils.

拟议的研究项目旨在了解废油以及废油和塑料混合蒸气在热解过程中用于生产燃料的化学机理。将研究相互竞争的机制与开发废油、油脂和塑料热解生产燃料的连续工艺之间的相互作用，目的是确定最大限度地生产高价值产品的操作条件。该项目将改善来自未被充分代表的少数群体的本科生进行研究的机会，并促进在环境可持续发展方面的国际合作。拟议的研究是出于需要更好地了解废油热解的机理和温度分布对产品分布的影响。重点将是研究从城市垃圾中提取的橙色润滑脂的热解，将其转化为燃料。棕色和橙色润滑脂作为一种燃料来源的开发可以对从城市垃圾流中消除它们产生重大影响。通过添加废塑料作为原料，并研究将废油和塑料混合组成的溪流作为石化和燃料来源的热解，这种好处将成倍增加。这项工作可以扩展到其他来源的废油、塑料、橡胶和其他目前被掩埋在垃圾填埋场或污染环境的材料。有关化学反应机理的基础知识将通过选择最佳的反应器类型和分离过程来开发中试装置，而不会进行过多的尝试和错误。拟议的项目将有助于在纽约州立大学梅德加·埃弗斯学院的环境科学项目中建立一个能源轨道，促进国际合作，并帮助学生为进入劳动力大军或创业做准备。该项目将为学生提供参与研究的机会，并提高少数族裔学生在STEM领域的保留率。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The proposed research project aims to understand the chemical mechanisms during pyrolysis of waste oils, as well as mixed waste oil and plastics streams, for the production of fuels. The interaction between competing mechanisms and the development of a continuous process for fuels production from the pyrolysis of waste oil, grease and plastics will be studied with the objective of identifying operating conditions maximizing the production of high-value products. The project will improve the access of undergraduate students from underrepresented minority groups to research and facilitate international collaborations on environmental sustainability.The proposed research is motivated by the need to better understand the mechanism of waste oil pyrolysis and the effects of the temperature profiles on the product distribution. The focus will be on studying the pyrolysis of orange grease extracted from municipal waste to convert it into fuel. The development of brown and orange greases as a fuel source can have a significant effect on eliminating them from municipal waste streams. That benefit will be multiplied by adding waste plastics as a feedstock and studying the pyrolysis of streams consisting of mixed waste oil and plastics as a source of petrochemicals and fuels. The work can be extended to other sources of waste oil, plastics, rubber, and other materials that currently are buried in landfills or pollute the environment. The fundamental knowledge on chemical reaction mechanisms will enable the development of a pilot plant by selecting the best reactor types and separation processes without excessive trial and error. The proposed project will contribute to the establishment of an energy track in the Environmental Science program at CUNY-Medgar Evers College, enable international cooperation, and help prepare students to enter the workforce or start new businesses. The project will offer opportunities for students to be involved in research and increase the retention rates of minority students in a STEM field.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.