Dataset of "Thermo-Chemical Recycling of Polypropylene via High-Power Microwave Plasma Gasification: Syngas and Metal Carbide Production"

Difficult waste streams such as polypropylene are a nuisance vis-a-vis its disposal and treatment, and it directly poses risks to humans and the environment. This study investigates the gasification of polypropylene (PP) polymer granules using a high-power 100 kW microwave plasma system, integrated with a high-temperature reactor. A dried air flow rate of 1000 standard liters per minute (SLM) was supplied to the microwave plasma torch, with oxygen molecules serving as oxidizing agents during the gasification process. Complete conversion of Polypropylene (PP) into syngas and carbon nanomaterials was achieved. The experiments were conducted with varying PP feed rates, ranging from 5 to 18 kg/h, and the output gas was analyzed under different conditions. The produced carbon nanomaterials were characterized using laser diffraction (LD) particle size distribution, and other methods. Additionally, synthesized nanomaterials were explored for applications in metal carbide synthesis. The results highlight the potential of microwave plasma technology for an efficient valorization of a difficult waste stream to produce usable energy and value-added products that in turn contributes to the development of a circular economy.