Catalytic co-pyrolysis of polycarbonate and polyethylene/polypropylene mixtures: Promotion of oil deoxygenation and aromatic hydrocarbon formation

The co-pyrolysis of polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene (PE)/polypropylene (PP) in the presence of HZSM-5 catalyst was studied in a two-stage tube reactor with the objective of promoting simultaneous deoxygenation and aromatic hydrocarbon formation, at atmospheric pressure and without external hydrogen addition. As the blending ratio of PE/PP increased, the yield of oil phase product, coke, and solid decreased, and the yield of gas phase increased significantly. At the blending ratio of 75% PP, the concentration of oxygenates in the oil was reduced to 2.9% and that of aromatic hydrocarbons increased to 97.1%. Increasing the reaction temperature from 500 degrees C to 700 degrees C increased the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons further to 98.1%. Catalyst regeneration decreased the acidity of the HZSM-5 catalyst, resulting in a slight decrease in the deoxygenation and aromatization effects. The results showed that PP is an effective hydrogen donor in the catalytic deoxygenation and aromatization process; the hydrogen provided enhanced the adsorption of phenols produced by the pyrolysis of PC on HZSM-5 and their direct deoxygenation to form new aromatic hydrocarbons.

Automated summary

The co-pyrolysis of PC and PE/PP in the presence of HZSM-5 catalyst without external hydrogen addition was studied to promote deoxygenation and aromatic hydrocarbon formation. Increasing the blending ratio of PE/PP resulted in a higher yield of gas phase products and decreased yields of oil phase, coke, and solid products. Catalyst regeneration reduced acidity but showed slight decrease in deoxygenation and aromatization effects.