Catalytic cracking of polyethylene waste in horizontal tube reactor

In this study catalytic and thermal cracking of polyethylene waste were investigated in continued tube reactor system. HZSM-5 and equilibrium FCC type catalysts were tested. Both the resistance to deactivation and the regeneration process of the catalyst were studied. Reaction temperature of 545 °C and residence time of 20 min were used during the cracking treatment. The reaction products were analyzed and the textural properties of catalysts were also determined. It was found that after the first reaction run the FCC catalyst lost 75% of its cracking activity, in case of HZSM-5 the rate of deactivation was higher. The cracking activity of catalyst could be improved by regeneration process with only 2-3% compared to the coked catalyst. The isomerisation effect of the catalysts was also observed. The effect of coked FCC catalyst could be improved by the regeneration process with 50% in case of HZSM-5 it was only 25%.