Catalytic cracking of polyethylene plastic waste using synthesised zeolite Y from Nigerian kaolin deposit

Abstract

The increasing rate of accumulation of plastic waste (PW) is quite disturbing to the world, particularly in developing nations due to its non-biodegradable nature and inadequate waste management practices. The need to properly manage this waste and utilize the potential and chemical energy value that can be derived from this waste justifies the encouragement and employment of newer and better recycling methods and technology of these wastes. Therefore, this has led us to explore the catalytic pyrolysis of plastic waste using zeolite Y synthesized from kaolin deposit in Covenant University, Sango Ota, Ogun state of Nigeria. A stainless steel packed bed reactor was used in the cracking of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic wastes into liquid fuel components at a temperature of 300?℃ using zeolite Y catalyst. The liquid fuel obtained from the catalytic pyrolysis was analyzed using GC–MS. Fifty compounds were identified, which revealed the presence of mostly alkenes and aromatics in the hydrocarbons range of C₈–C₂₉. This is made up of 56% of gasoline fractions range of C₆–C₁₂, 26% of diesel and kerosene fractions range C₁₃–C₁₈, and 10% of fuel oil range C₁₈–C₂₃, while 8% is residual fuel range greater than C₂₄.