Pyrolysis of common plastics and their mixtures to produce valuable petroleum-like products

In the present study, polystyrene (PS), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and their mixture undergo intermediate isothermal pyrolysis at 450 °C, 500 550 600 °C inside a tubular semi-continuous reactor under an inert nitrogen atmosphere. The liquid pyrolytic oil samples recovered in each case were analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) flame ionization detector (GC-FID) to identify quantify different products formed. It was found that polyethylenes (HDPE LDPE) behave similarly these conditions. For instance, GC analysis showed consecutive triplet series of linear aliphatic hydrocarbons carbon number alkane, 1-alkene, 1,(N-1)-alkadiene where N is number. On other hand, PP, LDPE, HDPE rich olefinic compounds. However, quite for PS. constituted totally aromatic compounds ranging from mono tri hydrocarbons. Styrene main product, along with such as styrene dimer, trimer, benzene, toluene, bibenzyl, α-methylstyrene. Results increase lighter temperature increased, especially styrene, weight fraction increased 40 wt.% 60 wt.%. Ultimately, synergistic effect observed mixed plastic pyrolysis, yielding lower quantity. addition, quality seems be improved by around 10 both light expected value expense heavier fraction. computed heating (LHV) gaseous ranged between MJ/kg 51 MJ/kg. A quick glance possible end use investigated principal component (PCA) on oil.