 Corresponding author: Ifeyinwa Uchenna Eze ORCID: 0000-0002-0287-0822 Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0. Liquid fuel production thermal degradation of mixed plastic waste Ifeyinwa Uchenna Eze 1, * , Gentle Wilson Komi 1, 2 , Obumneme Onyeka Okwonna 3 , Aduabobo Ibitoru Hart 1, 2 and Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu 1, 2 1 Institute of Natural Resource Environment, and Sustainable Development (INRES) University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. PMB 5323. Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. 3 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria PMB 5323. Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 18(01), 129–137 Publication history: Received on 18 November 2023; revised on 03 January 2024; accepted on 06 January 2024 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2024.18.1.0492 Abstract In this study, a mixture of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) was pyrolyzed at a temperature range of 350-400 °C for two hours to produce hydrocarbon liquid, which was then distilled at a temperature range of 150-275 °C to recover the target kerosene fraction. The resulting kerosene had a calorific value of 43150.1 MJ/Kg, a sulphur content of 0.01, a flash point of 121, a smoke point of 24.8, a specific gravity of 0.733, water content of 0.08, and a copper corrosion rating of 1a. The physicochemical properties were generally within acceptable limits for commercial Household Kerosene (HHK), although the water content, acid value, and API gravity were slightly outside the standard. This study, therefore, proffers a solution to the menace of environmental pollution and energy crisis, which has given rise to the prevalence of artisanal refining and adulteration, leading to disastrous consequences such as property damage and even death. Keywords: Plastic; Pyrolysis; Kerosene; Recycling; Physico-chemical properties 1. Introduction Plastic waste management has raised serious concern because of the attendant challenges associated with its management at the end of use (Bhosale et al., [1], Dumbili and Henderson [2], Kehinde et al., [3], Mihai et al., [4], Hopewell et al., [5]). Plastics are produced from fossil feedstock and have become a necessary part of our daily lives; consequently, their production has grown on a large scale globally (Thompson et al., [6]). Over the years, plastics have experienced massive exponential growth in their production and consumption at a rate projected to triple by 2060 if the current trend in production and consumption is maintained. The annual global production of plastics doubled from 234 million metric tons in 2000 to 460 million metric tons in 2019 and is forecasted to rise to an estimated value of 1,231 metric tons in 2060 (OECD, [7]). The steady growth in plastic production can be due to increased demand and consumption. OECD [7] stated that emerging economies such as in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia are expected to triple their plastic consumption against the countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Nigeria, a consumer-driven nation, uses much plastic; therefore, it imports and internally produces large volumes of plastic polymers for different applications and sectors. Nigeria is ranked as the highest importer of plastics and plastic raw materials in Africa (Agberemi, [8]). Imported plastic in Nigeria is in the form of primary form, product and product components. Babayemi et al., [9]) reported that between 1996-2014, approximately 23,165,700 tons. Of this amount, 14,200,000 tons were in primary form, 3,420,000 tons were in product form, and around 5,545,700 tons were imported