Lukas Plessing, M.Sc.

• Studies (B.Sc.): 10/2013 – 09/2016  Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

• Bachelor thesis: 04/2016 - 09/2016 AG Schubert Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena, (Titel: Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorophoric Oligomers with Perspective to Förster Resonance Energy Transfer)

• Sudies (M.Sc.): 10/2016 - 02/2019 Universität Hamburg

• Master thesis: Universität Hamburg, AK Luinstra (Titel: Investigations on the low temperature Pyrolysis of Polystyrene in an indirect heated fluidized Bed)

• Promotion: seit 04/2019 Universität Hamburg, AK Luinstra (Thema: Pyrolysis of Polystyrene waste fractions)

The issue of plastic recycling has recently attracted attention in the media. The established process of material recycling is reaching its limits due to the presence of various additives and the phenomenon of downcycling. One alternative is chemical recycling, especially pyrolysis. During pyrolysis, the plastic is heated to temperatures in the range of 400 – 800 °C under oxygen exclusion. This results in homolytic cleavage of the C-C bonds. Certain plastics, such as polystyrene (PS), can be converted back into the corresponding monomers.

During my doctorate, I focus my research on the pyrolysis of different plastics and waste fractions, especially PS. Therefore, chemical and procedural aspects are analysed on a continuous pilot scale plant with a capacity of 1 kg/h to ensure high monomer recovery.