International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 12 | Dec 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF PLASTIC WASTE BLOCK MAKING MACHINE WITH INTEGRATED THERMOELECTRIC HEAT RECOVERY POWER GENERATION SYSTEM RAVICHANDRAN.P1, RAMESH.A2, AJAY.P3, BALAMURUGAN.S4, DANIEL.S5 1 Guide and Head of the department, Department of mechanical Engineering, Annai JKK Sampoorani Ammal
Polytechnic College, Tamil nadu, India
2Lecturer, Department of mechanical Engineering, Annai JKK Sampoorani Ammal Polytechnic College,
Tamil nadu, India
3-5Student, Department of mechanical Engineering, Annai JKK Sampoorani Ammal Polytechnic College,
Tamil nadu, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------Recycling plastic into construction materials has emerged as Abstract- Plastic waste accumulation has become a critical an effective solution due to its ability to convert waste into high- strength, weather-resistant, and low-cost alternatives to conventional building materials. Plastic blocks, tiles, and rods produced through thermal processing have shown promising results in terms of mechanical strength and durability. However, the recycling process typically requires substantial thermal energy, which increases operational costs and limits its use in rural or small-scale industries.
environmental challenge, demanding innovative and sustainable recycling technologies. This project focuses on the design and fabrication of a plastic waste block-making machine integrated with a thermoelectric heat recovery power generation system. The machine converts various types of waste plastics into useful construction materials such as blocks, tiles, and rods through controlled heating, melting, and compression. To enhance energy efficiency, a solar-assisted heating chamber is incorporated, where excess thermal energy is harvested using thermoelectric generators (TEGs). The recovered heat is converted into electrical power, which is used for charging batteries and supporting low-power lighting applications. The integration of recycling and renewable energy systems not only reduces plastic pollution but also minimizes energy consumption during the recycling process. This study demonstrates the feasibility of combining plastic recycling with sustainable power generation, offering an ecofriendly and cost-effective solution for small-scale and rural manufacturing environments.
To address this challenge, integrating energy recovery systems into the recycling process offers a more sustainable approach. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs), which convert heat directly into electrical energy, provide a reliable method for capturing waste heat generated during plastic melting. When combined with solar heating, TEG-based power generation systems can significantly reduce external energy requirements. This integration enables partial selfsustainability of the recycling unit while providing additional power for charging batteries and supporting low-power applications.
Key Words: Plastic recycling, block-making machine,
This project aims to design and fabricate a plastic waste block-making machine equipped with an integrated thermoelectric heat recovery power generation system. By combining plastic recycling with renewable energy harvesting, the proposed system offers an environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and cost-effective solution suitable for decentralized and rural manufacturing environments.
thermoelectric generator (TEG), heat recovery, solar heating system, renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, wasteto-resource technology, eco-friendly construction materials.
1. INTRODUCTION Plastic waste generation has increased significantly over the past decades due to rapid industrial growth, consumer demand, and the widespread use of polymer-based products. Most plastic materials are non-biodegradable and remain in the environment for several hundreds of years, leading to severe land pollution, water contamination, and ecological imbalance. Conventional disposal methods such as land filling and incineration not only contribute to environmental degradation but also waste valuable resources that could otherwise be reused. Therefore, there is a growing need for sustainable methods to recycle and repurpose waste plastics into useful and durable products.
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Impact Factor value: 8.315
2. LITERATURE REVIEW The growing challenge of plastic waste management has led researchers to explore innovative recycling technologies and energy-efficient processing techniques. Several studies highlight the potential of converting waste plastics into construction materials due to their durability, lightweight properties, and resistance to corrosion. Researchers such as Kumar et al. (2019) demonstrated that recycled plastic blocks exhibit satisfactory compressive strength and can serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional masonry units.
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