Catalytic Cracking of Hdpe Pyrolysis Volatiles over a Spent Fcc Catalyst

Abstract

The effect of temperature in the catalytic cracking of HDPE over a spent FCC catalyst on the product distribution has been studied using a two-step reaction system. Thermal pyrolysis of HDPE has been carried out in a conical spouted bed reactor and the volatiles formed (mainly waxes) have been fed in-line into a catalytic fixed bed reactor. An increase in the second stage temperature from 450 °C to 550 °C gives way to an enhancement of cracking reactions, achieving full conversion of waxes at 550 °C. At this temperature, gasoline and light olefins are the main product fractions obtained, with a yield of 52 wt% and 28 wt%, respectively.