Plastic waste mixed with coal offers low-cost hydrogen production

A U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), is developing a cost-effective method to convert plastic waste into hydrogen fuel by co-gasifying plastics with coal and biomass. This steam gasification process produces hydrogen-rich syngas, a versatile fuel and chemical precursor, by combining plastics—primarily low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)—with coal refuse. The coal waste contains natural catalysts that reduce tar formation and improve gasification efficiency, addressing common challenges in plastic gasification such as particle agglomeration and high tar production. The NETL team, led by Ping Wang, emphasizes the flexibility of this co-gasification approach, which allows adjustment of feedstock ratios and operating conditions to optimize syngas yield and quality. This adaptability makes the technology suitable for various waste streams and resource availabilities. Beyond producing cleaner hydrogen fuel, the process also offers environmental benefits by repurposing plastic and coal waste, reducing landfill accumulation,