MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name

BTPE - Bio Thermal Plastic Energy

One-line solution summary.

A way to convert the non-biodegradable plastic into energy recycling a huge amount of waste on earth for a useful act. This also acts against climate change.

What is your solution?

My solution is a way to make plastic a source of energy that will not harm the environment. This can be done by firstly burning the plastic which releases many gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon monoxide. These gases are then to be pressurized such that the kinetic energy increases and this energy is to be used to generate electricity using a generator. Now this electricity can be used now these gases have to be purified as CO and CO2, etc could be harmful. Now firstly we should condense the water vapor into pure drinking water. Now the other gases like CO and CO2 could be converted to carbon and O2.

The conversion of these pollution particleswas actually carried out by many organizations. 1 way of carrying this conversion was devised by researchers. Such a transformation would usually require extremely high temperatures, but the new process can operate at room temperature but they found that by using liquid metals as a catalyst, we’ve shown it’s possible to turn the gas back into carbon at room temperature. This solution therefore makes plastic a source of pure water, Oxygen gas, electricity, and carbon a useful element.

What specific problem are you trying to solve?

Global warming is one of this century's most important problems to solve as the climate change caused due to global warming is bringing a climate catastrophe. Global warming is caused by the release of Greenhouse gases. Global warming is a problem that affects every organism on earth. It has been found that climate change causes up to 150000 deaths annually.

Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of
health which are clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food, and secure
shelter.

Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately
250 000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria,
diarrhea and heat stress.

The burning of waste like plastic is 1 of the causes of global warming. The burning of plastic releases greenhouse gases. Plastic causes the death of many humans indirectly by diseases and many organisms also die because of consuming plastic.

Almost all plastic is derived from materials(like ethylene) made from fossil fuels. The process of extracting and transporting those fuels, then manufacturing plastic creates billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases. After usage, about 70% of this is incinerated. Globally this year, researchers estimate that the production and incineration of plastic will pump more than 850 million tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. By 2050, those emissions could rise to 2.8 billion tonnes. In India alone, it's estimated that around 25940 tonnes/day of plastic waste is generated. My idea tries to reduce greenhouse gases and convert these pollutants into a source of energy.

Mountain garbage in Municipal landfill for household waste © Shutterstock / kwanchai.c / WWF

Who does your solution serve? In what ways will the solution impact their lives?

My solution solves a problem that improves everyone's life. This solution solves the problems of global warming, pollution, waste accumulation, shortage of energy, shortage of water, etc . This solution saves the world from going into a climate catastrophe which will every organism's life.

Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately
250 000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria,
diarrhea, and heat stress which my solution could prevent. This though could only happen when all unite to stop climate change.

What steps have you taken to understand the needs of the population you want to serve?

I have done a lot of research on how plastic affects the people of my locality and according to the result, plastic had a lot of negative impacts. I have done campaigns, petitions, etc as well

Which aspects of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Taking action to combat climate change and its impacts (Sustainability)

Our solution's stage of development:

Concept: An idea being explored for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model based on that idea

Explain why you selected this stage of development for your solution—in other words, what have you accomplished to date?

My idea is still at the stage of the concept as this idea is a relatively new idea that I am trying to research and bring to a point where I feel that my idea is ready to be prototyped and tested.

Where our solution team is headquartered or located:

Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Team Lead:

Nihal Shivakumar