Catalytic degradation of high-density polyethylene in a reactive extruder

Abstract

The catalytic degradation of high-density polyethylene was conducted in a reactive extruder at reaction temperatures of 425, 450, and 475 °C using silica-alumina as the cracking catalyst. A continuous kinetic model was proposed and compared to the carbon number distribution of the reaction products. The model prediction of the product selectivity described the experimental data well for a reaction temperature of 425°C; however, it was too simplistic to predict the decrease in C₄ and increase in C₃ occurring at higher reaction temperatures. The liquid product obtained from the reactive extruder was comparable to gasoline; however, it did show a significantly higher C₅ fraction.