Catalytic hydrocracking of used polypropylene

Abstract

A one-step catalytic process for cracking used polypropylene to fuel oil was developed. The catalyst used consisted of 2.5-5%wt., of iron, cobalt, nickel, tin and 1-2%wt. of fluoride dispersing throughout a porous carrier material, alumina or molecular sieve. The polypropylene was degraded by hydrocracking using the catalyst in amounts of 20-40%wt., at temperature between 300-600°C, and hydrogen pressure between 300-500 psig for 3-12 hours. The optimum condition 360°C, 500 psig, 6 hr., was found when using Ni(5%)-Sn(5%)-F(2%) on molecular sieve. The percentage yield was 86.0%wt.. The oil obtained consisted of C8-C16 hydrocarbons with diesel properties corresponding to a good cetane index.