Effects of using ZSM‐5 and a rock‐reforming mineral as catalysts on liquid fraction collected from polypropylene pyrolysis

Abstract

In this study, a rock‐reforming mineral and zeolite ZSM‐5 were used as catalysts in the pyrolysis of polypropylene (PP) to get liquid products. The structures of catalysts were investigated via XRD and FTIR techniques. The liquid fractions collected from the non‐catalytic and catalytic pyrolysis processes were indicated via GCMS measurement. The results show the rock‐forming mineral has the typical pattern of SiO2 quartz, KAlSi3O8 microcline, and H2KAl3(SiO4)3 muscovite phases, while the zeolite ZSM‐5 has the typical pattern of H0.32Al0.32Si95.68O192 hydrogen aluminum silicate phase. The major products from PP pyrolysis without catalyst was 2,4‐ dimethyl‐1‐heptene (trimer), around 46.43 wt.% and the percentage of branched‐chain alkenes of 90.22 wt.% is significantly high. Whereas, the liquid products, which were formed from the catalytic pyrolysis using the rock‐reforming mineral and ZSM‐5 as catalysts, contain the significantly reduced portions of alkenes.