Student Name: BEENA S B
Guide Name: Dr.Suja R, Associate Professor & Co-ordinator, TPLC
Project Area: WASTE MANAGEMENT
Year: 2017 , Duration: 1
Plastics are polymers made up of large link of hydrocarbon chains. Processes like pyrolysis can
depolymerize the longer hydrocarbons and convert them to smaller ones. In the present study,
waste polypropylene and a mixture of polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene were
subjected to pyrolysis by applying different catalysts in a batch reactor at 3600C for 60 minutes
to obtain gaseous and liquid products. Dependencies on the catalysts and their concentration on
yield of products were studied. The catalysts used for the study were ZnO and Kaolin clay. In
both cases it was observed that, maximum yield of products was at a catalyst concentration of
3%. Highest yield by using ZnO catalyst was 79.4% and that by using Kaolin clay was 77%. At
3% concentration of ZnO, the liquid fraction of product was also found be comparatively high
(39.2%). Yield of liquid product by applying 3% Kaolin clay as catalyst was 54.2% and it was
the highest yield compare to other concentrations of Kaolin clay. With increase in concentration
of catalysts, the yield of gaseous products found increased. The optimum concentration of the
catalyst for catalytic cracking of waste polypropylene was found to be 3%. ZnO gave more
yields compared to kaolin clay. Pyrolysis of Mixture of plastics (PE, PP and PS) in presence of
varying concentrations of ZnO catalyst was also carried out in the same reactor at 3600C for the
same time duration of 60 minutes. It was observed that product yield increased to 88% at 3%
concentration of ZnO catalyst. Yield of liquid product was also high (74%) in this case.
The liquid products of reactions were characterized using FTIR for functional group
identification and GC-MS for detailed composition. Fuel properties of liquid products were
found similar to that of diesel fuel. Engine performance test of the liquid product blended with
diesel in the ratio 1:9,2:8, 3:7,4:6,5:5, 6:4 were conducted in comet diesel engine. Lesser Total
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Fuel Consumption (TFC) and higher Brake Thermal Efficiency (BThƞ) were obtained for all
load conditions with 3:7, 4:6 and 5:5 blends compared to diesel. Maximum efficiency of 3:7, 4:6,
5:5, 6:4 blend were higher than diesel (21.78%). Highest Maximum efficiency was found for 5:5
blend (23.8%). Performance test indicates the suitability of diesel pyrolysis oil blend in diesel
engines.
Based on the study conducted and results obtained, it can be suggested that pyrolysis is a suitable
method for plastic waste management as it protects environment from waste plastic menace and
the products of pyrolysis can be a suitable substitute for engine fuels.
