Production of hydrocarbons by catalytic degradation of low density polyethylene over Co-ZSM-5 and H-ZSM-11

RENZINI M.S., PIERELLA L.B., SAUX C.

Encuentro; 20th North American Meeting; 2007

DSC results show an endothermic signal around 112°C related with the meltingpoint (Figure 2). The polymer degradation in the presence of modified zeolites occurred atmuch lower temperatures and at more gradual rate, allowing the cracking rate of polyethylene.We can see a diminution of the temperature decomposition of pure LDPE from 470°C to 415and 323°C, employing Co- and H-zeolites, respectively (Figure 1 and 2).Polymer conversion was 100% towards liquid (liquid HC), gas (gaseous HC) andsolid residues (unconverted LDPE + Coke) from the catalytic LDPE degradation experimentsat different temperatures .According to the results, LDPE is converted mainly to liquid andgaseous hydrocarbons. The increase of the temperature improves the LHC products for theboth catalysts used. Liquid fraction was slightly higher for the H-ZSM-11, the catalyst withmajor presence of Bronsted acid sites