Thermal Degradation of Plastic Wastes (PP, LDPE) Using Metal Particles, Metal Oxides and Metal Nano Particles as a Catalyst

Abstract

Two different vacuum thermal degradation processes of plastic wastes materials: Poly Propylene (PP) and Low Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE) were conducted with homemade thermal degradation setup. The two processes were used 1-bulk metal particles,2- metal oxides (Fe,Ni,Fe2O3,NiO) and 3-metal nano particles (Fe and Ni) as a catalysts supported on feldspar clay respectively. The experimental results for both processes shows the presence of different products like liquid, wax, gas, and carbon. Our characterization was focused on the liquid product. The produced liquid was characterized by Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and Gas chromatography (GC) The octane number, cetane number, flash point, fire point, aniline point and some physical properties were also measured. The results indicated that the process with metal nanoparticles catalyst produces liquid much better properties compared to the other materials results used metal particles catalyst.