Catalytic Conversion of Polyolefins to Chemicals and Fuels over Various Cracking Catalysts

Catalytic pyrolysis of polymers over catalysts has the potential to recover valuable hydrocarbons from waste materials. Polyolefins were pyrolyzed over catalysts using a specially developed laboratory fluidized bed reactor operating isothermally at ambient pressure. The systematic experiments carried out with several catalysts show that under appropriate reaction conditions, catalysts may be selected to reduce the required reaction temperature, improve the yield of volatile products, and provide selectivity in the product distributions. A kinetic model based on a lumping reaction scheme for the observed products and catalyst deactivation has been investigated. The model gave a good representation of experiment results. This paper outlines some recent results relevant to the conversion of polyolefins to chemical feedstocks and fuels using various catalysts and also attempts to provide a framework for understanding the variety of influences on product distribution.