Created a rocket engine powered by plastic waste

The Scottish company Skyrora has successfully tested a 3D-printed rocket engine that runs on fuel derived from plastic waste.

The startup team is developing a new launch vehicle to launch several small satellites into low Earth orbit.The engine, which engineers are now testing, is supposed to power the last stage of the 22-meter Skyrora XL rocket.However, in addition to being made with 3D printing technology, it workson a new type of fuel called Ecosene, whichIt has a number of advantages compared to traditional RP-1.

In essence, this is a type of kerosene obtainedfrom plastic waste using the company's patented processing process, which allows you to get about 600 kg of fuel from 1000 kg of plastic.

Skyrora representatives claim that Ecosene is notrequires cryogenic freezing and can be stored safely in tanks for a long time. In addition, during combustion, such kerosene emits 45% less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which makes its use less harmful to the environment.

Although these are only initial tests, the project team is encouraged by the test results and plans tolaunch its first device in 2022.

Skyrora uses its own patented kerosene production technology, but one of the methods of producing jet fuel from plastic waste has already been reported.

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