Atmospheric-pressure oxygen plasma as a sustainable approach for waste tire disposal and emission reduction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14311/ppt.2026.2.56Keywords:
Oxygen Plasma, Atmospheric Pressure, Waste Tires, Gas Emission, DisposalAbstract
The continuous increase in the number of land vehicles worldwide has resulted in the accumulation of large quantities of waste tires, posing serious environmental challenges. Conventional disposal methods, such as landfilling or use as fuel in cement kilns, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and the formation of hazardous pollutants. In this study, atmospheric-pressure oxygen plasma technology is investigated as an alternative and sustainable method for waste tire treatment. The gaseous products generated during the plasma gasification process were analyzed and compared with those produced by conventional combustion. The results demonstrate that plasma treatment significantly reduces CO and CO2 emissions relative to traditional combustion methods. Moreover, an enhanced production of methane was observed during the plasma process, indicating a potential opportunity for energy recovery and improved resource utilization. The relationship between material mass and gas emissions was also examined, revealing that gas emissions increase with increasing sample mass. In addition, plasma treatment was found to substantially reduce ash formation. Overall, the findings highlight that atmospheric-pressure oxygen plasma offers an efficient and environmentally friendly solution for waste tire disposal, combining emission reduction with potential energy recovery.
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Copyright (c) 2026 R. Cakmak, H. Sahin Kol, F. Bozduman, N. Cakmak
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