Pyrolysis of Polyolefins into Chemicals using Low-cost Natural Zeolites

Abstract Massive production of disposable plastic that is not supported with proper plastic waste management has created an environmental problem. One solution that could be done to address this situation is by transforming plastics into chemicals through pyrolysis route. An experimental study of pyrolysis from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) has been done by catalytic method and utilization of low-cost natural zeolite in a semi-batch reactor. A low-cost natural zeolite made from acid-treated zeolite with 1 M HCl solution denoted as HZ. The prepared HZ catalyst was then carried out under pyrolysis reaction at 350, 400, 450 oC for 60 minutes. The chemical products composition from this reaction was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). According to the analysis result, a low-temperature reaction of pyrolysis could produce wax in all variant types of feed. Utilization of HZ catalyst could reduce formation wax while also increasing the yield of oil products after the reaction. Catalytic pyrolysis using HZ for PE and PP plastic feed yields oil products up to 67% and 70%, respectively. The composition of oil products mainly consisted of paraffin, olefin, and alcohol compounds. The temperature optimum for the catalytic reaction could produce the highest paraffin and olefin products at 400°C. Additionally, utilization of low-cost natural zeolite could improve pyrolysis reaction's performance from PP to produce yield olefin products from 39–62%.