Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive kinetic study of the catalytic pyrolysis of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) utilizing thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data. Nine runs with different catalyst (HZSM-5) to polymer mass ratios (0.5, 0.77, and 1.0) were performed at different heating rates (5, 10, and 15 K/min) under nitrogen over the temperature range 303–973 K. Thermograms showed clearly that there was only one main reaction region for the catalytic cracking of HDPE. In addition, while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data were shifted towards higher temperatures as the heating rate increased, they were shifted towards lower temperatures and polymer started to degrade at lower temperatures when the catalyst was used. Furthermore, the activation energy of the catalytic pyrolysis of HDPE was obtained using three isoconversional (model-free) models and two non-isoconversional (model-fitting) models. Moreover, a set of 900 input-output experimental TGA data has been predicted by a highly efficient developed artificial neural network (ANN) model. Results showed a very good agreement between the ANN-predicted and experimental values (R2 > 0.999). Besides, A highly-efficient performance of the developed model has been reported for new input data as well.
Highlights
Plastic wastes have become an irritating worldwide issue in many developed countries, where a massive quantity is produced and disposed of
This study aims to obtain activation energy of the catalytic pyrolysis of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) at different catalyst to polymer ratios and heating rates using non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data
One reaction region, which can be fitted linearly, was observed and thermal degradation occurred at lower temperatures when the catalyst was used
Summary
Plastic wastes have become an irritating worldwide issue in many developed countries, where a massive quantity is produced and disposed of. The main source of plastic wastes is municipal solid wastes (MSW) [1]. Most of the plastic wastes are either disposed of in landfills or incinerated [2]. While landfill disposal is still considered as undesired and expensive treatment, the waste destruction by incineration is expensive and has problems with high emissions and environmental concerns. Combustion as a primary recycling technique is used to treat plastic wastes, but it is still restricted by environmental legislation. Plastic wastes reshaping, as a secondary recycling method, is limited to only 20 wt % plastic wastes [3]
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