Influence of Natural Zeolites on the Thermal Decomposition of Multi-layered Plastic Waste

Abstract

Abstract: The pyrolysis process drove scientific attention lately, as it represents the basis for the production of second generation of synthetic fuels and other chemicals. The process takes place in inert atmosphere, and liquids, gases, and small number of solid particles represent main reaction products. Pyrolysis can be thermal or catalytic. Thermal pyrolysis requires very high temperatures, and products do not have high quality, while addition of catalysts reduces the reaction time, there is a better conversion rate, and lower operation temperature. In this paper, multi-layered plastic waste is used as raw material for thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The composition of used plastic waste was previously determined based on the analysis of a large number of samples from fraction of mechanically non-recyclable plastic waste collected from waste treatment facilities in Croatia. Two natural zeolites with the most promising catalysts properties were selected for the reaction. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to understand the pyrolysis process of multi layered plastic waste and to determine the thermochemical behavior and kinetics. Kinetic analysis was performed using the isoconversional Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose method. The aim of this paper was to investigate how selected natural zeolite catalysts influence the kinetics of the pyrolysis process of multi-layered plastic waste.