Transforming Low Density Polyethylene Waste into Diesel Grade Fuel by Catalytic Pyrolysis

Abstract

Environmental problems due to plastic waste are well known nevertheless, its use without alternative cannot be stopped. On other hand, petroleum resources are vanishing due to high demand of fuel for growing population and limited resources in India. Plastic is made from hydrocarbons so it can be an alternative fuel for fossil fuels after recycling by pyrolysis method. Low density polyethylene is one of the main components of household plastic waste. We can convert this plastic waste into petroleum products by pyrolysis method. Catalyst helps in enhancing yield of liquid product and reduces reaction time. In present research work, small capacity borosilicate glass reactor was designed for pyrolysis process. Waste low density polyethylene milk carrybags were used as raw material. Screening and selection of catalysts were done depending on cost effectiveness, easy availability and stability of material and for enhancing quantity and quality of liquid fuel product at low temperature. It was observed that among the Scolecite and Dolomite, Dolomite is best catalyst in pyrolysis as it fulfils most of the criteria decided during study. Liquid fuel samples obtained without catalyst and with catalysts were characterized for GC-MS and calorific values. It showed increase in the concentration of C10-C20 hydrocarbon fractions and calorific values of liquid fuel samples obtained with Dolomite as compared to Scolecite and without catalyst.