As reported herein, we investigated the effect of feedstock
composition,
reactor type, and catalyst on the olefinic composition of oil recovered
through plastic pyrolysis. We investigated an open reactor versus
an autoclave closed reactor using polypropylene, linear low-density
polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene,
including both virgin and waste mixed plastics as feedstocks. The
obtained oils were analyzed for comparison to their olefin contents.
Additionally, the effects of H2 gas absorbers such as activated
carbon and magnesium powder and an oxidant such as manganese stearate
were evaluated regarding their impact on the olefin content of oils
derived from both virgin and recycled HDPE. Our findings suggest that
the formation of olefins (R–CH = CHR, where R is H or an alkyl
group) during pyrolysis can be tailored through the selection of the
reactor, feedstock, and catalysts, potentially enhancing the production
of olefinic monomers from polyolefin waste plastics.