Borax‐catalyzed product selective high temperature pyrolysis of waste polyethylene using solar energy

Abstract

AbstractThe present work is a focus on getting selectivity of the products using intense heat and employing borax vacant orbitals for catalysis. A DC‐arc‐type reactor was used for the pyrolysis of waste polyethylene. The third point of its novelty is utilization of the solar energy as arc through photovoltaics and indoor use of solar energy for high‐temperature heating. The combined action of high temperature, faster heating, and vacant orbital catalysis is intended for the product enhancement, selectivity of the process, and efficient management of the waste plastics. The process involves photovoltaic transformation of sunlight into electrical energy followed by storage in lead acid battery and discharge of heat in the form of arc. A graphite rod was used for the arc in the reactor. The high temperature and faster heating pyrolyzed the waste polyethylene into oil, fuel gas, and char. The reactor's efficiency was found to depend upon the rod length and time. The product gases were analyzed by chemical tests while the oil was analyzed using GC–MS. The gaseous product was highly combustible. The oil density (0.7 g/cm3) was found in gasoline range. The chemical tests indicated that the gas contains alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and hydrogen gas.