Estimation of pyrolysis product of LDPE degradationusing different process parameters in a stirred reactor

Pyrolysis of low density polyethylene (LDPE) by equilibrium fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) was studied in a stirred reactor under different process parameters. In this work, the effect of process parameters such asdegradation temperature (420-510°C), catalyst/polymer ratio (0-60%), carrier gas type (H2, N2, ethylene, propylene,Ar and He), residence time and agitator speed (0-300 rpm) on the condensate yield (liquid, gas and coke) andproduct composition were considered. Reaction products were determined by GC analysis and shown to containnaphthenes (cycloalkanes), paraffns (alkanes), olefns (alkenes) and aromatics. Higher temperature and morecatalyst amount enhanced LDPE cracking. The maximum fuel like condensed product yield was attained at450°C and 10% catalyst, respectively and gaseous products increased with increases in temperature. Hydrogen asa reactive carrier gas increased the condensed and paraffnic product yield. Appropriate heat transfer (by stirring)increased the catalyst effciency in a stirred reactor. Polyolefns J (2015) 2: 39-47

Estimation of pyrolysis product of LDPE degradationusing different process parameters in a stirred reactor Keywords:

LDPE , pyrolysis , fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) , stirred reactor , carrier gas , agitator speed