ISSN: 0256-1115 (print version) ISSN: 1975-7220 (electronic version)
Copyright © 2024 KICHE. All rights reserved

Overall

Language
English
Conflict of Interest
In relation to this article, we declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Publication history
Received July 19, 2023
Accepted August 24, 2023
articles This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright © KIChE. All rights reserved.

Most Cited

Catalytic Cracking of Polystyrene and Low-Density Polyethylene over Synthesized Zeolite Na-A with Optimized Crystallinity

Chemical Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty , University of Guilan 1Catalysis Research Devision , Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI)
dadvand@guilan.ac.ir
Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, March 2024, 41(3), 839-852(14), https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-024-00089-2

Abstract

Nowadays, waste plastics made a signifi cant environmental problems. Chemical converting of the polymers to valuable liquids

is a promising method to solve the problem and make excellent benefi t. This study investigates the utilization of kaolin,

a natural resource, for synthesizing zeolite Na-A and signifi cance of the catalyst crystallinity on the catalytic cracking of a

50:50 mixture of polystyrene (PS) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). This research aims to identify the optimal hydrothermal

conditions for producing crystalline zeolite Na-A and evaluate the eff ect of crystallinity of synthesized zeolite Na-A

on production of liquids. A central composite design (CCD) model is employed to achieve this, selecting three independent

variables: hydrothermal temperature (80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 °C), the molarity of the alkaline solution (NaOH concentration

= 1,2,3,4 and 5 molar), and hydrothermal time (8, 10.43, 14, 17.56 and 20 h). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

(FTIR) determines the functional groups which proves the presence of sodium aluminosilicate in the synthesized zeolite.

The crystallinity of the produced zeolite Na-A is evaluated through X-ray diff raction (XRD) analysis, optimizing the results

using the CCD model. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals well-formed cubic crystalline structures of zeolite Na-A.

The optimum conditions for polymer cracking are determined as hydrothermal temperature of 89 °C, a hydrothermal time

of 13 h, and a NaOH molarity of 2.8, while predicted liquid production was obtained 81%. The analysis of ANOVA indicates

that the designed model based on CCD calculations is valid for prediction of the process. Finally, gas chromatography

with fl ame ionization detection (GC-FID) is employed to characterize the main resulting value-added components (styrene,

toluene, and ethylbenzene) under optimum conditions.

The Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers. F5, 119, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, 233 Spring Street Seoul 02856, South Korea.
TEL. No. +82-2-458-3078FAX No. +82-507-804-0669E-mail : kiche@kiche.or.kr

Copyright (C) KICHE.all rights reserved.

- Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering 상단으로