A sulfate modified zirconium oxide catalyst was used to pyrolyse high density polyethylene (HDPE) polymer using a fixed-bed reactor. The aim was to convert the polymer into liquid hydrocarbons which may be used as fuel and chemical raw materials.. Temperature optimization for optimum conversion and high liquid yields was carried out. The TGA result showed that the catalyst moved the onset of degradation from 420OC for HDPE only to less than 300OC. The optimal temperature was 410OC, where a 100% conversion with a liquid fraction of 66% was achieved. The catalyst was selective to a liquid product which contained mostly olefinic, paraffinic and naphthenic compounds. The carbon number distribution of hydrocarbon compounds of the liquid fraction is within the gasoline range. This makes the product an excellent fuel precursor. Therefore, pyrolysis using this catalyst may be use as a sustainable and cost-effective method for plastic waste recycling.

Catalytic pyrolysis of high density polyethylene (HDPE) using sulfate modified zirconium oxide catalyst

244th National Meeting (2012)

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