Optimization of Gasification Process Parameters for COVID-19 Medical Masks Using Response Surface Methodology

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, large amounts of medical wastes have been produced and its disposal has resulted in environmental and human health problem. To help address this issue, the effects were studied of the gasification process parameters, types of COVID-19 medical mask (polypropylene ratio), pressure, steam ratio and temperature on gasification performance. Response surface methodology with a 3k statistical factorial design was used to evaluate the effects of the process parameters on hydrogen yield of the syngas product and the cold gas efficiency of the process. The ANOVA shows that both steam ratio and temperature were significant parameters regarding the obtained hydrogen yield and cold gas efficiency. Proposed models were constructed with very high accuracy based on their coefficient of determination (R2) values being greater than 0.97. Then, the optimum conditions were: 65% polypropylene in the mixture, pressure of 1 bar, steam ratio of 0.38 and temperature of 900 °C, producing a maximum hydrogen yield of 40.61% and cold gas efficiency of 81.43%.