EXPECTED RESULTS
As expected outputs of the projects, PLAST4H2 will execute 4 different pilot actions of a boat for floating plastic collection, a pyrolysis reactor for hydrogen and syngas production, a photocatalytic reactor for hydrogen generation, and a test bench consisting of a hybrid membrane-PSA system for hydrogen purification and a fuel cell for energy production from previously purified hydrogen.
Datasets obtained for the plastics detection will feed the simulations models of plastic drift trajectories along the coast. As aresult, a detailed map to showcase significant plastic accumulation zones (hostspots) along the European coastline will be developed considering seasonal circulation patterns and pollution sources.
The enhancement of drift computation algorithm in Mobile Applications back-end involves integrating hydrodynamic data to significantly improve the accuracy of forecasted drift trajectories.
Plastic collection will be carried out by different methods including floating debris, underwater plastics, and beach clean-ups. The collected waste will be transported to valorization sites, providing GPS tracks and daily data on debris types, and 100 samplings and characterizations will be conducted, distributing plastics to facilities and waste management plants.
Also, a fully certified boat prototype to collect plastic waste will be developed adhering to European and French maritime regulations.
Expected outcomes of WP2 include the establishment of a Pyrolysis pilot plant for plastic valorization into syngas/hydrogen capable of processing 1 ton of mixed plastic per day.
Additionally, a pilot photocatalytic reactor for hydrogen production from microplastics in seawater will advance from TRL 2 to TRL 4, fostering technology development.
Also, a Hydrogen purification pilot demonstration coupled to a fuel cell system aims to achieve 99.999% hydrogen purity, enabling electricity generation.
Moreover, ecologically sustainable routes will be explored for plastic production through the conversion of sea plastics into high-performance ecoplastics. This will implement innovative depolymerizing technologies and synergistic enzyme cocktails to break down plastics and produce feedstocks for biopolymer production.
The outputs of WP3 include environmental assessments (LCA), governance analysis, impact quantification, hotspot identification, trade-off evaluation, impact reduction opportunities, and stakeholder communication, fostering informed decision-making.
During this project, awareness workshops, participation in conferences, publications, and events will be conducted. These efforts aim to reach a wide audience, including citizens, policymakers, and end-users, through various channels such as media, social networks, coastal activities, beach cleaning initiatives, and specialized events.
Kids workshops will be conducted in 60 schools to raise awareness on plastic pollution, recycling, and marine conservation, promoting environmental responsibility for a cleaner future. A digital multilingual platform will be designed and implemented generation interactive digital content with gamified dynamics on the importance of recycling, the negative effects of waste in the sea and how to recycle effectively