High efficiency chlorine removal from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pyrolysis with a gas–liquid fluidized bed reactor

In this research a gas–liquid fluidized bed reactor was developed for removing chlorine (Cl) from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to favor its pyrolysis treatment. In order to efficiently remove Cl within a limited time before extensive generation of hydrocarbon products, the gas–liquid fluidized bed reactor was running at 280–320 °C, where hot N₂ was used as fluidizing gas to fluidize the molten polymer, letting the molten polymer contact well with N₂ to release Cl in form of HCl. Experimental results showed that dechlorination efficiency is mainly temperature dependent and 300 °C is a proper reaction temperature for efficient dechlorination within a limited time duration and for prevention of extensive pyrolysis; under this temperature 99.5% of Cl removal efficiency can be obtained within reaction time around 1 min after melting is completed as the flow rate of N₂ gas was set around 0.47–0.85 Nm³ kg^?1 for the molten PVC. Larger N₂ flow rate and additives in PVC would enhance HCl release but did not change the final dechlorination efficiency; and excessive N₂ flow rate should be avoided for prevention of polymer entrainment. HCl is emitted from PVC granules or scraps at the mean time they started to melt and the melting stage should be taken into consideration when design the gas–liquid fluidized bed reactor for dechlorination.     

Analysis of gas flow behavior in an annular fluidized-bed reactor for polystyrene waste treatment

The characteristics of bubble properties and the chaotic flow behavior of gas were investigated in an annular fluidized bed (0.102 m in inner diameter and 2 m in height) because the behavior of gas flow in such a reactor is one of the important factors governing reactor operation, reactor performance, and the reaction itself. Pressure fluctuations as a state variable for the analysis of gas flow behavior were measured and analyzed. Bubble properties were determined by adopting the cross-correlation function of pressure fluctuations. The resultant chaotic flow behavior of gas was interpreted by means of chaotic parameters such as the Kolmogorov entropy. It was found that the Kolmogorov entropy could be utilized effectively to explain the nonlinear dynamic behavior of gas-solid flow in the annular fluidized bed. The pierced length and rising velocity of bubbles increased with increasing gas velocity, bed temperature, and particle size of the bed material. The bubble frequency increased with increasing gas velocity and bed temperature, while it decreased with increasing particle size of the bed material. Correlations to predict the bubble properties in annular fluidized-bed reactors were suggested.     

Limitations for heavy metal release during thermo-chemical treatment of sewage sludge ash

Phosphate recycling from sewage sludge can be achieved by heavy metal removal from sewage sludge ash (SSA) producing a fertilizer product: mixing SSA with chloride and treating this mixture (eventually after granulation) in a rotary kiln at 1000 ± 100 °C leads to the formation of volatile heavy metal compounds that evaporate and to P-phases with high bio-availability. Due to economical and ecological reasons, it is necessary to reduce the energy consumption of this technology. Generally, fluidized bed reactors are characterized by high heat and mass transfer and thus promise the saving of energy. Therefore, a rotary reactor and a fluidized bed reactor (both laboratory-scale and operated in batch mode) are used for the treatment of granulates containing SSA and CaCl₂. Treatment temperature, residence time and - in case of the fluidized bed reactor - superficial velocity are varied between 800 and 900 °C, 10 and 30 min and 3.4 and 4.6 m s⁻¹. Cd and Pb can be removed well (>95 %) in all experiments. Cu removal ranges from 25% to 84%, for Zn 75-90% are realized. The amount of heavy metals removed increases with increasing temperature and residence time which is most pronounced for Cu.In the pellet, three major reactions occur: formation of HCl and Cl₂ from CaCl₂; diffusion and reaction of these gases with heavy metal compounds; side reactions from heavy metal compounds with matrix material. Although, heat and mass transfer are higher in the fluidized bed reactor, Pb and Zn removal is slightly better in the rotary reactor. This is due the accelerated migration of formed HCl and Cl₂ out of the pellets into the reactor atmosphere. Cu is apparently limited by the diffusion of its chloride thus the removal is higher in the fluidized bed unit.     

Recycling of ‘waste’ FE(III)/CR(III) hydroxide for the removal of nickel from wastewater: Adsorption and equilibrium studies

Effects of Ni(II) concentration, agitation time, temperature and pH on adsorption of Ni(II) on Fe(III)/Cr(III) hydroxide, a waste by-product from fertilizer industry, have been investigated. The percent adsorption increased from 55 to 69% with increase in temperature from 20 to 40°C and from 32 to 77% with increase in pH from 3.7 to 7.5 and from 38 to 79% with decrease in Ni(II) concentration from 100 to 25 mg/L. The equilibrium data fit well with the Langmuir isotherm and the adsorption capacity was found to be 21.0 mg/g at 30°C. Thermodynamic parameters such as free energy change (ΔG°), enthalpy change (ΔH°) and entropy change (ΔS°) were evaluated. The adsorption rate constant was higher at lower concentration of Ni(II) and at higher temperature. Desorption studies show that 70% of Ni(II) can be desorbed from the adsorbent at pH 4.0. The adsorbent was tested using nickel plating industry wastewater and the maximum percent removal was 97.     

Thermal behavior characteristics of Adhesive residue

Solid wastes from organic Adhesive production are identified as toxicant hazardous wastes in China’s National Catalogue of Hazardous Wastes. The aim of this study is analyzing the thermal behavior of Adhesive residue. Its pyrolysis and combustion characteristics were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Experiments were carried out in the temperature range of 50–950 °C in both nitrogen and air. The results indicate that combustion under these experimental conditions largely occurs between 210 and 410 °C, whereas pyrolysis proceeds between 260 and 430 °C. Almost all weight lost takes place before 430 °C during both pyrolysis and combustion of the residue. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterize the emission characteristics during pyrolysis. When the sample is heated in an inert atmosphere, the evolution of volatiles starts around 260 °C, and reaches a peak rate at 394 °C. Most organic products evolve in a narrow temperature range during pyrolysis. The evolving gaseous products were identified as Butyraldehyde, Ether, Acetonitrile and CO₂, accompanied with some CO.     

A laboratory pilot study of thermal decontamination of soils polluted by PCBs. Comparison with thermogravimetric analysis

Real soils contaminated with a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls were thermally decontaminated in a laboratory scale thermal desorption apparatus, under different operating conditions including two operating pressures (P= 0.01 and 0.1 MPa), different sample masses (80-320 g), carrier gas flow rates (0-30-280 Nl h(-1)) and two initial contamination levels. A standard European soil artificially contaminated with 4-chlorobiphenyl was decontaminated using a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). The same parametric study as cited earlier was performed. With both techniques, the extent of decontamination was studied as a function of temperature during the heating programs (2-3 degrees C min(-1) for the thermal desorption apparatus; 5 degrees C min(-1) for TGA). Only a few differences were noticed between the two techniques. The decontamination starts when the melting temperature of the contaminant is reached (30 degrees C) and is complete before 350 degrees C. Thermogravimetric analysis which does not necessitate any chemical analysis appears to be a very attractive technique to investigate the feasibility of a decontamination and to quickly determine the best operating conditions.     

Elutriation characteristics of fine particles from bubbling fluidized bed incineration for sludge cake treatment

In this study, measurements of elutriation rate were carried out in a bench scale bubbling fluidized bed incinerator, which was used to combust sludge cake. The particle size distribution and ignition loss were analyzed to study the elutriation characteristics of bubbling fluidized bed incineration. Drawn from the experimental data, the elutriation rate constant K(i)* for fine particles were obtained and correlated with parameters. It was found that most of the solid particles (about 95%) elutriated came from the fluidized medium (inorganic matters), but few came from unburned carbon particles or soot (about 5%). Finally, this paper lists a comparison of K(i)* between this study and the published prediction equations derived or studied in non-incineration modes of fluidized bed. A new and modified correlation is proposed here to estimate the elutriation rate of fine particles emitted from a bubbling fluidized bed incinerator. Primary operation variables (superficial gas velocity and incineration temperature) affecting the elutriation rate are also discussed in the paper.     

Sorption of strontium on bentonite

Sorption of Sr on bentonite was studied using the batch technique. Distribution coefficients (K_d) were determined as a function of contact time, pH, sorbent and sorbate concentration and temperature. The data were interpreted in terms of Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters for the sorption system were determined at three different temperatures. The positive value of the heat of sorption, ΔH° = 30.62 kJ/mol at 298 K, shows that the sorption of strontium on bentonite is endothermic. The negative value of the free energy of sorption, ΔG° = −10.69 kJ/mol at 298 K, shows the spontaneity of the reaction. ΔG° becomes more negative with increasing temperature, which shows that the sorption process is more favorable at higher temperatures. The mean free energy for sorption, E 9 kJ/mol, suggests that ion exchange is the predominant mode of sorption in the Sr concentration range studied, i.e. 0.01 – 0.3 mol/dm³. The presence of complementary cations depresses the sorption of strontium on bentonite in the order Ca²⁺>Mg²⁺>K⁺>Na⁺. Some organic complexing agents and natural ligands also affect the sorption of strontium. The desorption studies with ground water at low strontium loadings on bentonite show that about 90% of Sr is irreversibly sorbed on the bentonite.     

Organic compound destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) for plasma incinerator off-gases using an electrically heated secondary combustion chamber

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored a series pilot-scale plasma incineration tests of simulated mixed wastes at the MSE Technology Applications, Inc. technology development test facility in Butte, MT. One of the objectives of the test series was to assess the ability of an electrically heated afterburner to destroy organic compounds that may be present in the off-gases resulting from plasma incineration of mixed wastes. The anticipated benefit of an electrically heated afterburner was to decrease total off-gas volume by 50% or more, relative to fossil fuel-fired afterburners. For the present test series, feeds of interest to the DOE Mixed Waste Focus Area (MWFA) were processed in a plasma centrifugal furnace while metering selected organic compounds upstream of the electrically heated afterburner. The plasma furnace was equipped with a transferred-mode torch and was operated under oxidizing conditions (10–15% oxygen at the stack). Feeds consisted of various mixtures of soil, plastics, Portland cement, silicate fines, diesel fuel, and scrap metals. Benzene, chloroform, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane were selected for injection as simulates of organics likely to be present in DOE mixed wastes, and because of their relative rankings on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) thermal stability index. The organic compounds were injected into the off-gas system at a nominal concentration of 2000 ppmv. The afterburner outlet gas stream was periodically sampled, and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. For the electrically heated afterburner, at operating temperatures of 1800–1980°F (982–1082°C), organic compound destruction and removal efficiencies (DREs) for benzene, chloroform, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane were found to be >99.99%. The electrically heated afterburner was also operated at temperatures well below the design operating temperature, in order to assess the sensitivity of the afterburner to temperature swings. At 1300–1320°F (704–716°C) DREs for benzene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane were still >99.99%, while the DRE for chloroform was slightly degraded to 99.977%. At 820–850°F (438–454°C) the DRE for 1,1,1-trichloroethane remained >99.99%, while the DREs for benzene and chloroform were substantially degraded, in the order expected from the EPA thermal stability index. For comparison, analogous tests were performed using a conventional natural gas fired afterburner, with similar results. The natural gas fired afterburner yielded DREs greater than 99.99% for 1,1,1-trichloroethane, chloroform, and benzene, when operated at 1600–1820°F (871–993°C) and 1350°F (732°C). Similarly to the electrically heated afterburner, at 850°F (454°C) DREs were substantially degraded for chloroform and benzene. At normal operating temperatures both the electrically heated afterburner and the natural gas fired afterburner gave acceptable DREs (>99.99%), for the three injected organic compounds. DREs remained acceptable for both units even when operated at substantially reduced temperatures.     

Absorption behavior of chlorine and sulfur by Ca(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript> under simulated conditions with a fluidized bed combustor

This study was carried out to investigate the absorption reaction of chlorine and sulfur with Ca(OH)₂ under simulated conditions related to the co-combustion of refuse-derived fuel and sewage sludge in the fluidized bed combustor, such as high temperature, moisture and a mixing of samples. The combustion experiments were carried out in an electrical furnace with PVC and sulfur powders as the waste samples. High-purity slaked lime powder was used to capture the chlorine and sulfur. The experimental results showed that the removal efficiencies of both chlorine and sulfur were over 90% when the mole ratios of Ca on Cl and S were over 2.5. Furthermore, simultaneous absorption was helpful in improving the removal efficiency of chlorine and sulfur. The presence of chlorine markedly increased the removal efficiency of sulfur. The removal efficiency of chlorine was the highest at 700°C in both independent and simultaneous absorption. The removal efficiency of sulfur increased as the temperature increased, but the removal efficiency of chlorine sharply decreased from 95 to 83% when the moisture content in gases increased from 0 to 20 vol%. These results were confirmed by the combustion test of granular CaCl₂.     

A research note on the assessment of optimum conditions for preparing soils for bioremediation feasibility testing

In this applied study, the effects of short‐term storage at 22°C, 6°C, and ?25°C on the numbers of microorganisms enumerated were examined with soils collected from a petrochemical contaminated soil containing multiple contaminants including phenol, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and petroleum hydrocarbons. Short term storage of soils at refrigerator temperature did not significantly change the number of microorganisms compared to those in the fresh soil (0 days of storage); however, at ?25°C there was a slight decrease in the phenol utilizers and total viable count (TVC). Long‐term storage caused a significant decrease in the number of phenol utilizers in the petrochemical‐contaminated soil samples. Chemical dispersing agents were used in an attempt to increase the extraction of microorganisms from naphthalene contaminated soil which were predominantly clay soils. These did not significantly change the enumeration of naphthalene utilizers or TVC. While these results are not unexpected from current research and knowledge of microbial community succession in laboratory environments, the results from the applied nature of this study confirm that it is best practice to keep soil samples designated for bacterial enumeration for the shortest possible time, and not longer than 1–2 weeks, and at refrigerated temperature (6°C) in preference to room (22°C) or deep freezer (?18°C) temperatures.     

Batch separation of shredded bulky waste by gas-solid fluidized bed at laboratory scale

A gas-solid fluidized bed separator using various bed materials was used to separate shredded municipal bulky waste (SBW). Using 290 microm glass beads as the bed material, the apparent density of the fluidized bed was 1.5 g/cm(3) and the SBW could be separated into combustibles such as wood, paper and plastics and incombustibles such as metals and glass. The overall efficiency (Newton's efficiency) of the separation was calculated to be 0.93. In order to obtain high efficiency, the superficial velocity must be adjusted so that the fluidized bed is agitated moderately and at the same time there is no weak fluidized region. Using a mixture of particles of nylon shot and 68 microm glass beads, the apparent density of the fluidized mixture bed could be varied between 0.63 and 0.99 g/cm(3) by changing the mixing ratio of the two materials. In the case of a mixing ratio of 20% for glass beads, an apparent density of 0.65 g/cm(3) was produced, in which wood and paper components were recovered while plastics remained in the bed to give a final overall efficiency of 0.88.     

Recovery of metal values from zinc solder dross

Zinc solder dross containing 14.8% Sn, 16.3% Pb, 0.41% Al and 64.5% Zn was leached with 3% H₂SO₄ at 45°C for 1 h. Zinc and aluminum went into solution, whereas lead and tin remained with the residue. Aluminum was selectively precipitated as calcium aluminum carbonate by treating the sulphate leachate with limestone at pH 4.8. Zinc sulphate solution was either evaporated to obtain zinc sulphate crystals or precipitated as basic zinc carbonate at pH 6.8. The undissolved lead and tin were leached with 5 M hot hydrochloric acid. The major part of lead chloride ( 73%) was separated by cooling the leached products down to room temperature. From the soluble fraction, tin was recovered as hydrated tin oxide by alkylation with caustic soda at pH 2.4, while the remaining lead was separated at pH 8.5 as lead hydroxide. A process flowsheet had been suggested which involved two-stage hydrometallurgical treatment. Parameters affecting the recovery efficiency of the suggested method such as temperature, time, pH and acid: solid stoichiometric ratio were investigated. Results obtained revealed that the optimum leaching conditions were achieved by using 20 ml of 3% H₂SO₄ acid/g dross for 1 h at 45°C. Recovery efficiency of the metal salts was 99.1, 99.4, 99.6 and 99.5% for Zn, Al, Pb and Sn respectively. Recovery efficiency was related to the solubility of the concerned salts under the given experimental conditions.     

流化床反应器处理高浓度含氟废水的效率和稳定性

采用小试规模的流化床反应器处理氟质量浓度为500~1 400 mg/L的模拟高浓度含氟废水。以氟化钙颗粒为晶种,以氯化钙溶液为沉淀剂（流量25 L/h）,考察了流化床连续运行过程中沉淀除氟的效率和稳定性。实验结果表明：氟化钙的沉淀反应在30.7 s内即可完成;在废水流量为11~23 L/h、反应pH为7.0~9.0、上升流速为0.005 9~0.013 0 m/s、钙与氟的摩尔比为0.85~1.00的条件下,出水清液中氟质量浓度低于10 mg/L,达到《污水综合排放标准》（GB 8978—1996）要求。连续运行过程中,流化床沉淀除氟高效稳定,操作条件范围较宽。流化床出水中细颗粒沉淀物的存在会导致氟浓度显著升高,应采取有效措施减少其产生或溢出,以保证沉淀除氟效率。     

Limits and dynamics of methane oxidation in landfill cover soils

In order to understand the limits and dynamics of methane (CH₄) oxidation in landfill cover soils, we investigated CH₄ oxidation in daily, intermediate, and final cover soils from two California landfills as a function of temperature, soil moisture and CO₂ concentration. The results indicate a significant difference between the observed soil CH₄ oxidation at field sampled conditions compared to optimum conditions achieved through pre-incubation (60 days) in the presence of CH₄ (50 ml l⁻¹) and soil moisture optimization. This pre-incubation period normalized CH₄ oxidation rates to within the same order of magnitude (112-644 μg CH₄ g⁻¹ day⁻¹) for all the cover soils samples examined, as opposed to the four orders of magnitude variation in the soil CH₄ oxidation rates without this pre-incubation (0.9-277 μg CH₄ g⁻¹ day⁻¹).Using pre-incubated soils, a minimum soil moisture potential threshold for CH₄ oxidation activity was estimated at 1500 kPa, which is the soil wilting point. From the laboratory incubations, 50% of the oxidation capacity was inhibited at soil moisture potential drier than 700 kPa and optimum oxidation activity was typical observed at 50 kPa, which is just slightly drier than field capacity (33 kPa). At the extreme temperatures for CH₄ oxidation activity, this minimum moisture potential threshold decreased (300 kPa for temperatures <5 °C and 50 kPa for temperatures >40 °C), indicating the requirement for more easily available soil water. However, oxidation rates at these extreme temperatures were less than 10% of the rate observed at more optimum temperatures (∼30 °C). For temperatures from 5 to 40 °C, the rate of CH₄ oxidation was not limited by moisture potentials between 0 (saturated) and 50 kPa. The use of soil moisture potential normalizes soil variability (e.g. soil texture and organic matter content) with respect to the effect of soil moisture on methanotroph activity. The results of this study indicate that the wilting point is the lower moisture threshold for CH₄ oxidation activity and optimum moisture potential is close to field capacity.No inhibitory effects of elevated CO₂ soil gas concentrations were observed on CH₄ oxidation rates. However, significant differences were observed for diurnal temperature fluctuations compared to thermally equivalent daily isothermal incubations.     

Case study of ex situ remediation and conversion to a combined in situ/ex situ bioremediation approach at an oxygenated gasoline release site

In response to an oxygenated gasoline release at a gas station site in New Hampshire, a temporary treatment system consisting of a single bedrock extraction well, a product recovery pump, an air stripper, and carbon polishing units was installed. However, this system was ineffective at removing tertiary butyl alcohol from groundwater. The subsequent remedial system design featured multiple bedrock extraction wells and an ex situ treatment system that included an air stripper, a fluidized bed bioreactor, and carbon polishing units. Treated effluent was initially discharged to surface water. Periodic evaluation of the remediation system performance led to system modifications, which included installing an additional extraction well to draw contaminated groundwater away from an on‐site water supply well, adding an iron and manganese pretreatment system, and discharge of treated effluent to an on‐site drywell. Later, the air stripper and carbon units were eliminated, and an infiltration gallery was installed to receive treated, oxygenated effluent in order to promote flushing of the smear zone and in situ bioremediation in the source area. This article discusses the design, operation, performance, and modifications to the remediation system over time, and provides recommendations for similar sites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effects of Acid Rain on Competitive Releases of Cd, Cu, and Zn from Two Natural Soils and Two Contaminated Soils in Hunan, China

Leaching experiments of rebuilt soil columns with two simulated acid rain solutions (pH 4.6–3.8) were conducted for two natural soils and two artificial contaminated soils from Hunan, south-central China, to study effects of acid rain on competitive releases of soil Cd, Cu, and Zn. Distilled water was used in comparison. The results showed that the total releases were Zn>Cu>Cd for the natural soils and Cd>Zn≫Cu for the contaminated soils, which reflected sensitivity of these metals to acid rain. Leached with different acid rain, about 26–76% of external Cd and 11–68% external Zn were released, but more than 99% of external Cu was adsorbed by the soils, and therefore Cu had a different sorption and desorption pattern from Cd and Zn. Metal releases were obviously correlated with releases of TOC in the leachates, which could be described as an exponential equation. Compared with the natural soils, acid rain not only led to changes in total metal contents, but also in metal fraction distributions in the contaminated soils. More acidified soils had a lower sorption capacity to metals, mostly related to soil properties such as pH, organic matter, soil particles, adsorbed SO₄ ²⁻, exchangeable Al³⁺ and H⁺, and contents of Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃.     

Integrated drying and incineration of wet sewage sludge in combined bubbling and circulating fluidized bed units

An original integrated drying and incineration technique is proposed to dispose of sewage sludge with moisture content of about 80% in a circulating fluidized bed. This system combines a bubbling fluidized bed dryer with a circulating fluidized bed incinerator. After drying, sewage sludge with moisture less than 20% is transported directly and continuously from the fluidized bed dryer into a circulating fluidized bed incinerator. Pilot plant results showed that integrated drying and incineration is feasible in a unique single system. A 100 t/d Sewage Sludge Incineration Demonstration Project was constructed at the Qige sewage treatment plant in Hangzhou City in China. The operational performance showed that the main operation results conformed to the design values, from which it can be concluded that the scale-up of this technique is deemed both feasible and successful.     

Investigation of hydrogen generation from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash

Hydrogen generation from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash was investigated to understand the influences of contacting method, kinds of contact solution, liquid to solid ratio, and particle size distribution of materials. Redox properties of materials and hydrogen generation were also studied. The largest quantity of gas generated in contact with water was 29.1 ml/g-ash, most of which was hydrogen. Fluidized bed fly ash generated more gas than stoker fly ash. In order to calculate the hydrogen generation potential (the maximum quantity of gas generated in contact with water), a novel system using a Y-shaped test tube and NaOH was utilized. This method gives values which are related to the quantity of generated gas in contact with water. A relationship between the aluminum content and hydrogen generation potential was observed, especially for fluidized bed fly ash. The reducing potential of fluidized bed fly ash was higher than that of stoker fly ash. Only fluidized bed fly ash showed a positive correlation between aluminum content and reducing potential, and between reducing potential and hydrogen generation potential. These results suggest that fluidized bed fly ash contains more Al⁰ than stoker fly ash. Received: September 11, 1998 / Accepted: March 19, 1999     

Co-gasification of wood and polyethylene with the aim of CO and H2 production

This article describes the gasification of polyethylene–wood mixtures to form syngas (H₂ and CO) with the aim of feedstock recycling via direct fermentation of syngas to ethanol. The aim was to determine the effects of four process parameters on process properties that give insight into the efficiency of gasification in general, and particularly into the optimum gasification conditions for the production of ethanol by fermentation of producer gas. Gasification experiments (fluidized bed, 800°–950°C) were done under different conditions to optimize the composition of syngas suitable for fermentation purposes. The data obtained were used for statistical analysis and modeling. In this way, the effect of each parameter on the process properties was determined and the model was used to predict the optimum gasification conditions. The parameters varied during the experiment were gasification temperature, equivalence ratio, the ratio of plastic to wood in the feed, and the amount of steam added to the process. The response models obtained proved to be statistically significant in the experimental domain. The optimum gasification conditions for maximization of carbon monoxide and hydrogen production were identified. The conditions are: temperature 900°C, equivalence ratio 0.15, amount of plastic in the feed 0.11 g/g feed, and amount of steam added 0.42 g/g feed. These optimum conditions are at the edge of the present experimental domain. The maximum combined CO and H₂ efficiency was 42%, and for the maximum yield of CO and H₂ it is necessary to minimize the polyethylene content, minimize the added steam and the equivalence ratio, and maximize temperature.