Conversion of Low Density Polyethylene into Fuel Products Using Indian Fuller’s Earth as Catalyst

Abstract

The catalytic activity of Indian Fuller,s earth was explored for the cracking of polyethylene. The catalyst was used both in the crude and activated form. The catalytic activity of these was discussed in terms of the structure and composition of the catalyst. The yields of reactions were determined by the relative amounts of oil, wax and gas produced during the process. The amount of catalyst, temperature of prolysis and time for reaction was optimized during this investigation. The yields of the reactions were found to have boiling point in the range of 300 ºC. The distillation data of oil showed that about 15% have the boiling range of light naphtha 35% of the heavy naphtha and 60 % of the middle distillate. The liquid and gaseous products can be used as fuel while the wax can be considered as feed stock for the petroleum industry. The liquid and wax products were separated by G.C. equipped with F.I.D. The liquid and wax products were analyzed using the IR spectroscopy. These were found to contain olefin, paraffin and aromatic hydrocarbons.