Catalytic degradation of plastic waste to liquid fuel over commercial cracking catalysts

The catalytic degradation of polyethylene over two commercial cracking catalysts, containing 20% and 40% ultrastable Y zeolite respectively, was studied in a semi-batch reactor. More specifically the effect of the polymer to catalyst ratio - expressed as the acidity content of the polymer/catalyst system - was studied on the formation of liquid hydrocarbons. After a sharp increase at small values, the liquid yield seemed to have a negative correlation to the acidity content, showing a maximum at acidity values around 7% of a pure US-Y.