Scientists at Iowa State University have invented a new way to boost the power output of fuel by blending or dissolving polystyrene packing peanuts in biodiesel.

Polystyrene also known as Styrofoam is a light-weight material, about 95% air, with very good insulation properties and is used in all types of products from cups, packing peanuts, and plates. As polystyrene accounts for approximately 22% by weight of all high volume plastics, it is attractive to develop methods to convert these waste plastics into energy.

The research leaders Najeeb Kuzhiyil and Song-Charng Kong dissolved polystyrene packing peanuts in biodiesel “which is used as a recycling agent” in different concentrations as a means to recover energy from waster plastics.

This study demonstrated that polystyrene-biodiesel blends could be successfully used in diesel engines with minor modifications to the fuel system and appropriate adjustments to engine operating conditions.

Source – Physorg.org