this blog is spored BY reflex Eco Group
VENTURES AFRICA – Ghanaian researchers Messrs Michael Commeh, Isaiah Nimako and Nene Amoatey, from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), have developed a new technology that can convert waste plastic into fuel.
The fuels can either be petrol, aviation fuel or diesel, which they say is their focus for now.
The invention, which the researchers said has attracted Masters in Science (MSc) and Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D) students, was developed using the “Reverse Function theory” and “Thermal Decomposition approach”.
The researchers believe that technology can be applied to e-waste to turn its plastic to fuel as well as retrieve gold, platinum, copper from electronic waste among others.
One of the researchers, Michael Commeh hoped that the invention would mark the beginning of a contribution to the new discourse of creative sustainable economy.
“This imperatively, calls for greater innovation and creativity, imagination, inspiration and the desire to passionately overcome these challenges will come from innovatively reframing problems into opportunities,” Commeh told Ghana News Agency (GNA) at a display of fuels from plastic waste at the KNUST.
Nimako also hoped that the project would leave a legacy that would radiate beyond the laboratory through social entrepreneurship approach as well as academic excellence.
While pointing out that plastic waste has been a global menace and an issue for discussions at various conferences, seminars and platforms both locally and on the international front, Amoatey, one of the researchers said “the research team sees waste as ‘money in transition’ and took the challenge in converting it into money, and plastic is one of them among others.”
In the near future, they plan to set up plants throughout the country and have called on donors, collaborators and investors to partner them in generating revenue from combating plastic waste menace.
