Catalytic Degradation of Mixed Polypropylene, Low and High Density Polyethylene into Environmental Friendly and Useful Products

Using novel catalyst the pyrolysis of mixed plastics has been considered as an effective way to convert waste plastics into environmental friendly and industrially useful hydrocarbon gas and liquid products. Catalytic cracking is a promising alternative for plastic wastes recycling. More than 99% of a polymer mixed converted into combustible hydrocarbon in a catalytic converting reaction. The products are mainly middle distillates. In this work equally weighted mixed HDPE (high density polyethylene), LDPE (low density polyethylene) and Polypropylene were degraded. The reaction occurred in a semi batch reactor at several temperatures and catalyst/polymer ratios in search for an optimum operating condition. The products are liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons with minor of residue. The liquid and gas products were in the range of middle distillate cuts of gasoline, kerosene and gas oil. Finally, with a metallic base, yielded 99.5% of given mixed to valuable middle distillate products that include 86% liquid hydrocarbon and 13.5% gas, ranging between C1 and C5 with less percent of residue. The optimum condition for this yield reports at a temperature of 450 oC and 10% of catalyst w/w at atmosphere pressure.