From Plastic to Fuel – a Filipino inventor’s unpublicized work
Isn’t it strange how a potential solution for rising fuel costs and the chronic problem of plastic waste management in the Philippines isn’t getting enough attention from most major media outlets?
Jayme Navarro, a Filipino inventor from Bacolod, has discovered a way to convert plastic trash into usable fuel, namely gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. Navarro came across the method when he was trying to convert plastic waste back into its basic components and original form.
The process, called Pyrolysis, starts by drying the plastics, shredding them into smaller pieces, and heating them in a thermal chamber. The chamber has very low oxygen, so the plastic actually melts instead of burning. The melted plastic produces vapors, which is then passed into cooling pipes and distilled into a liquid.
This liquid is chemically identical to regular fuel, but has lower sulfur content, making it burn cleaner. With low production costs, the fuel is also around 10-20% cheaper. Aside from using actual waste plastic in the production of cheaper fuel, the process is also proven to be environment-friendly.
Navarro and his company, Poly-green Technology and Resources, Inc., which is based in the Payatas area where most of the plastic waste comes from, produces around 1,600 liters of fuel from recycling two metric tons of plastic daily.
The process of Pyrolysis has been around for quite some time, but Navarro created their own unique system and has an approved patent with the Philippine Intellectual Property Office.
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Government recognition
In 2008, his research was even awarded the winner of the Outstanding Creative Research category by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Navarro has plans of putting up additional facilities in Rizal and the other surrounding provinces of Metro Manila, with the coordination of local government units.
Wouldn’t you say that Navarro deserves more media mileage in order for him to bring his work to the forefront?
Backed with more investors, large-scale implementation of Navarro’s system would cement it as a viable alternative fuel source. It will significantly reduce not just the country’s garbage problem, but also pollution from vehicle emissions, and would definitely help save the environment by providing all Filipinos with a cheaper source of fuel.
What happens to the melted plastic? What will be the wasteof this process?
none they melt and form a vapor. Zero waste. They all form into liquid (gasoline). “Evaporated” plastics are then collected until it reaches a couple amount of liquid (gasoline). Imagine the vapor travels in a tube and drops in a flasks until these drops of liquid increased in amount in a flask.
“The chamber has very low oxygen, so the plastic actually melts instead of burning. The melted plastic produces vapors, which is then passed into cooling pipes and distilled into a liquid.”
That turns into vapor, and when cooled by cooling pipes, becomes reusable fuel…
Dude, did you even read the entire article?
Are you seriously asking that question if he read the article or not? Pretty clear on his question per se..
Please, we need to protect these genius inventors from big gasoline sharks, who I bet, are thinking of ways on how to shut it down as of the moment.
Nothing left all melted and vapor produced condense.
A very good invention, hope that the government will continue to support it so that it will not be put to waste just like the other good invention that we have… It will be beneficial for the betterment of the nation hope that the government will be enlighten about it.
Where can we buy this gasoline?
The the plastic turns to the aforementioned fuel. That’s is the product, no extra by-product.
Polymers cannot just transform to vapor. There must be residual waste from the process. The article said, “produces vapor” not “converted to vapor”. The melted plastics will then be void of solvents and thus will be more rigid which can be used to create construction materials.
logical since it said 2 metric tons of plastic will produce 1,600 liters of fuel…there has to be a residual
With 2MT of raw plastic converted to 1,600 liters of gasoline (at 0.75 specific gravity) roughly 1,200 kgs (1.2MT), there is 800 kgs. of unaccounted portion which would probably be the polymer part. Yes, the by-product polymer may be turned to bricks or some other stuff.
Since plastic was created using fossil fuels, it undergoes the the same process but backwards. You end up with a material called carbon black.
Thank you for discovering,as a Medical Doctor i appreciate,you have also to appreciate him not to criticize ,from here Mainit,Surigao Del Norte congratulation for Jayme Navarro, a Filipino inventor from Bacolod where i am married,May God bless him
Lets see a link to the actual patent? Are there are research papers?
How about checking it out by doing it..
https://www.oilpyrolysis.net/equipment/Waste-Plastic-Comprehensive-Treatment-Project.html
Residue can be converted into other platic products like tiles, pavements, seats and other materials made of plastic. That’s what I think. There should be no waster product as you go along with the process of recycling. If there is, it would be minimal I guess.
I agree with you sir, main source of recyclable plastics produced fewer free radicals then i guess it emits very few or minimal for that matter.
Residue/by-product in this process is an ash like substance. Its used as back filling material.
Any residue in the gas tank or pipeline that can maybe be problematic at a certain extent?
Sana mern din D2 s pampanga. Maraming kalat Ng plastic D2. Everyday me napupulot aq pero hanggang isegregrate lng then pa pick up s garbage truck.
Good AM.
We’re interested in this technology.
How can we participate ?
Thank you.
EddCruz
what can be the extent of the uses for the fuel produced? Any harmful gas produced by this process??
This is good. How much cap is needed
It would be better to use catalytic pyrolysis instead of conventional ones for it will increase the yield of the light gases that you could reform into gasoline and kerosene
Why not support this invention? This is a big help for the Country.
Here’s a chance for our politician to focus on something worthy and will make the country solve the mounting plastic rubbish for one and create job for the people. Surely, with the expertise and skill, that is already available, of the filipino who is behind in this invention, it will be a great loss if foreign investors will snap this up and develop this in their own backyard. And the great irony is for the government to pay a hefty sum to have a small part of it. Just saying. ?
Support our own inventor, we have so many are good but we are not benefited coz they work to the other countries
Thank God that YOU have developed this technology to RECYCLE PLASTICS. I’m interested to establish linkage in Iloilo. I’m involved with CHURCH BASED CONSUMERS MOVEMENT. HOW? Pls. Advise me. Thanks.
PLEASE SEND ME YOUR COMPUTATION FOR A COMPLETE SET OF 2-TONNER CAPACITY PLASTIC-TO-FUEL TREATMENT PLANT.
MAYBE I CAN HELP SOURCE OUT FUNDS TO MANUFACTURE THEM AND WE CAN PUT THEM IN CRITICAL AREAS;
GOD BLESS!
Melted plastic maybe be converted into construction material ?
Wow. This is indeed amazing. Wish the government will support him.
The emission of smoke during the burning process of plastic will certainly damage the ozone layer. Correct me if I’m wrong.
But it’s not burning, it’s melting
and how about the heat? where will it come from? if it melts then it means it is losing mass and density so where does the residue go? also what bothers me is he say it be made to fuel specifically oils sorry but this is I think a Hoax you cannot convert inorganic to organic.. oil fuel are made from decomposed organic materials and plastic is not organic, there are a lot of properties that won’t just convert… not even by chemical decomposition you convert plastic to oil
I think another plant to process plastic into fuel can be established in Central Luzon..Mr Navarro might want to establish partnership with state universities in science and technology, in the region.
How much heat energy is required to start the process?
What is the cost of that energy?
The residue, I would imagine is a rather heavy plastic, also dense. Is there a ready market for that material?
And then there’s the above comment!
Media mileage? Nope it’ll just be for the sake of hype. What he needs now is government support – for a bigger and sustainable production; for proper wastes management (i.e. specifically plastics).
As for the residue, it canbe reproduced into other products.
Suportahan naten ang sariling aten para sariling bansa naman ang mamayagpag
#SupportPh143
Is this safe for all motorize vehicles engine? And it is safe we will support and try to promote this thing locally.
he will be shot in the head soon and it’ll look like an accident
That was my thought also. there are people making lots of money with the way things are now and they will either try to buy out his patent or find another way to stop him. Keep the media quiet and maybe he can stay under the radar and spread his work across the globe before “they” find out about it.
Syempre di nman susuportahan ng government ntin yan gaya nung water car na pwedeng gamitin ang water sa sasakyan instead of gasoline sana di nghihirap ang pinas kpg sinuportahan yun, dahil may kasunduan ang pilipinas at opec yung mga ngbibigay ng oil gasoline sa atin na “dont support any invention that contradict to the world market” eh di wow! Yun na nga malulugi nga nman ang opec kpag sinuportahan yun nsa kontarata ksi nila yun matagal png invention yun cory administration pa, kaya sa nkaimbento ng plastic na yan na pwedeng gawin gasoline saludo po ako sa inyo ang galing nyo!pero sorry to say wag n po kyo umasa n ssuprtahan po kyo ng gov. Natin and kpag itinulong mo n yan sa ating mga kbabayan yhe worst case scenario iband ka pa ng gov.ntin iipitin ka pa ksi mrami kng msasagasahan mlalaking company tulad ng shell petron caltex at iba pa…thats the reality po sad to say..?
I hope this gets more attention and funded. This is brilliant.
come on with the pessimism!!
this is already a solution in front of our very eyes!!
if there will br problems, i guess it’s the lesser evil
https://manilawaterfoundation.org/mwf-prize-engineering-excellence
Thanks for the info but me thinks this promises nothing even if you win there not even a mention of what will happen next to winner’s work
I think the pyrolasis project of mr navarro should be repiicated in other major cities in the Philippines. This way we make sure all plastic wastes are recycled and put into good use.
The entire world needs this…
MY IDEA IS TO CONVERT THE RESIDUE INTO PLASTIC BLOCKS, TO FORM A BUILDING BLOCKS FOR POOR FAMILIES, LIKE CHAIRS, WATER CONTAINERS,TABLE AND COMPONENT TO BUILD A TWO BED ROOMS, SEPARATE CR TOO, DBA?
Hi Rolando, Are you the Rolando T. Bigtas who was residing at 8 Hydra Bel Air 3 in 1974. I was living just up the road from you in Stella at that time and would relly like to haved a quick chat with you some how.
Hi Rolando, Are you the Rolando T. Bigtas who was residing at 8 Hydra Bel Air 3 in 1974. I was living just up the road from you in Stella at that time and have something I would like to discuss with you. Not sure how I can do it though.
hope the invention push through with govt and pvt sector support kahit man lng in terms of waste reduction and garbage disposal problem.
You got it right. You are fighting a Big Goliath. Sad reality but that’s how this world works. The commercial complexity is huge. God bless!
I am interested for this project. How can I participate?
everyone read except him lol…
Kung totoo man yan. Benta nalsng nung may inventor yung gawa nya, kase dto sa ph, hnd nilasinusoporthan ang pilipino
I have searched for him in Payatas,.in Rodriguez Rizal didn’t find him. Contacted DOST to ask about him but no one seemed to.know.him. Does anyone know his.contact number?
Im brenda burdeos and im a board member of bacolod city solidwaste management, im intrested how to manufacture the plastic into gasoline , may it can help us solve our problem w/ a mountain of plastic in our dump site in Bacolod City, please email me since you are from bacolod, may be we can talk.
Hi brenda
I am a filipino from bacolod and currently base in bangkok , there is a company here in bangkok willing to open a factory to convert plastic waste to fuel
Bad idea, itaguyod natin si Mr Navarro. There is a saying “look after your own backyard”. Why utilise a company from Bangkok kung meron namang Filipino company that converts plastic wastes to fuel? Wouldn’t it be better to support your own kind?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157467277834684&id=646804683
This technology already exists.
Even before that a Palestinian did this to survive the restrictions of Israel. I wonder what ever happened to that guy. I pray he is still alive and well.
burning any fossil based fuel produces climate disrupting emissions
this is not even close to a solution. just a new way to pollute and reap $$ profits for doing it
It’s a melting process not burning.
I want to explore the viability of this invention and be an advocate for a cleaner environment. Pls send me some info on how we can collaborate. Thank you.
solving the plastic problem is being done now by incineration and if this conversion from mixed plastic waste by pyrolysis is no different from incineration,it releases toxic fumes into the air,and the plastic melted leaves a residue,both heading for the groundwater one way or another.Do the math its creating bigger problems even if the intention is laudable.Stop single use plastics!
where can I buy this fuel?
If this truly works witn minimal negative effects and be given attention, not to mention funded, it will not only help the country with its problem on disposal of plastic products, but the whole world as well.
Sana suportahan ng gobyerno yan,para d n tau aangkat ng langis s ibang bansa, kaya lng, siguradong malulugi ang malalaking kumpanya ng langis. Kaya s tingin q malabong suportahan yan dahil malaki ang mawawalang kita ng gobyerno s tax ng mga malalaking kumpanya tulad ng shell, Petron caltex at iba pa….
Hi brenda
I am a filipino from bacolod and currently base in bangkok , there is a company here in bangkok willing to open a factory to convert plastic waste to fuel
I would like to participate as I am an advocate of preservation of our natural resources and recycling into usefull things.
I hope the government will support our Filipino inventions…
A lot of Filipinos have great inventions, the west just brought the technology and erase it from records and claim it as there own inventions. We hope the government should support, subs·dize Filipino inventions, for the good of our country.
Gassification, Inceniration or PYROLYSIS all goes to the same process of burning at high temperature. There must be some emission along the process. A good initiative anyway, keep it up…
We’re interested in this technology.
How can we participate ?
am from Ghana Africa
whtapp/call +233-263-668-910
fb; totallifeghana
Is the facility open for viewing?
Interested with this technology as part of being a safety engineer. To consider this ideas as a major solution for plastic waste treatment method in the company am working with.
That is a good idea for the safety engineers. May I ask where to procure this facility? Can we freely fabricate our own without any sanction?
Wow! I hope this invention will be developed and supported by our government to continue and spread all over the Philippines to help decrease the scattered plastics in our environment.. Protect God’s creation by saving Mother Earth.
Attention :
Department of Energy
DOST.
All LGUs Committee on Environment.
First of all, saludo ako sa innovativeness ni Mr. Navarro. However, I wonder how much fuel is used to melt the plastics? Also, wouldn’t the smoke that comes from burning the plastic be harmful? These things need to be considered/solved as the technology catches on.
Why do you want the government to get into it? If the product is cheaper than commercially available fuel, customers will buy it, in a free market, it will provide for expansion of the business. You allow the government, you loose the business and the technology that start it. Government is the least efficient organization in a free market economy. Venezuela is an example.
It is a brilliant discovery…The negative side of me thinks however, that human nature always tend to think for the benefit of those that have POWER rather than those who are still start ups…Unless supply of fuel scarces, countries that are direct supplier of fuel would do its best not to make these kind of invention prosper… Why? Greed fuels POWER… This is just my opinion though, baka naman may magbago at gumawa din ng bagay na makakabuti sa buong mundo… kung ganyan na lang kadali makagawa ng fuel what will happen sa countries na fuel ang YAMAN ng bansa nila? What do you think?
Brilliant idea. My concern is the workers that prepare the raw material by crushing the plastic to the required size before processing. PLASTIC produces BP-A Bisphenol-A being inhaled by workers not wearing PROTECTIVE GEAR such as proper face mask for that kind of job.
Isang pinoy ang galing talaga ng pinoy sana naman mapakinabangan ng mga pinoy at hindi maibenta sa ibang bansa i salute you sir more more power live more for another invention
Am interested in this texhnology. How can i get more info to build a similar facility?
It is indeed correlated on how you extract scents from plants to create perfume. Well that comes only as my idea when I have read about it.
It is indeed correlated on how you extract scents from plants to create perfume, inorganically.
Never involve politicians in this kind of discovery they will just do nothing.
We salute the inventor of this innovative product in plastic recyling.This put PHILLIPINE back to the fore front in labour employment for us in NIGERIA..if an agreement is reached for the installations of the facilities in Lagos it will be one of a kind ,amongst all other plastic recycling for construction company ,fiber poles producers here who haa not yet reached20% usage of waste plastics.Pls let us know the process for acquiring and establishing a plant?
Let’s support for the benifits of the people..
Not too fast Sir!!! if converted to liquid fuel it will emit a gas more dangerous than the Greenhouse gases, Why? PET bottle comes from Ethelyne Glycol and terephthalic Acid, Terephthalic is produced by controlled oxidation of para – Xylene – a cyclic (Benzene group) organic compound which is very carcenogenic combine with Acetic Acid, you want to burn a cancer causing Chemicals and let people breath it in a crowded metro Manila traffic. Terephthalic Acid alone if enhaled can cause respiratory problem (nose, throat & lungs) how much more if your constantly breathing it. if you can isolate first the Cyclic compound before or after Pyrolysis then it’s OK. by the way I am a Process Engineer before in a Plant where we produced Phthalic Anhydride by controlled oxidation of Ortho – Xylene. This Xylene compound is the dangerous one.
This is so great. I have been takling about this since 2012. When i see som much garbage and plastic around in Philippines. Plastic in to fuel and garbage in to electricity.
How much more beautiful this country can be without all the trash floating around.
And to all people in Philippines. Dont throw trash everywhere. Take care of your beautiful country!!
Sorry but I think this is another Hoax if you want the real garbage to Fuel then just Look it up in Singapore they are doing it already.. and also let us think Fuel are organic, Plastic are synthetics they are not even made with liquid materials.. I do believe he is just hyping and want to get media Mileage but you can ask any Chemist if it is possible to convert plastic to oil(Diesel, Gasoline, Kerosene)? and they will tell you it is not possible, it is however possible to burn garbage as fuel as what Singapore is doing now but there won’t be any smoke or pollution because it is done in a very controlled environment.
Its not an invention per se but rather an innovation. The process can be found “open source” online if you are patient enough to dig. But since he built it and was successful at that, while some of us just dream of it, i think that alone deserves a congratulations. But at the end of the day itll all boil down to efficiency. That is, how much will you spend to create as much usable fuel? Is it even practical? As far as science goes, the weight to power density of fossil fuel is still far incomparable to other claims. How much burning fuel will you spend to create even 1 liter of car-safe fuel? That is the question. There is no suppression of ideas or even invention by big petroleum companies. There is just the practicality of achieving it. If youre talking about recycling. Getting rid of pollutant wastes, thats a consideration no matter the cost. But to say we are getting something out of nothing for free is only true in the movies where the situations are ideal. Im sorry to disappoint any of you but its a point to ponder.