Distribution characteristics of pyrolysis products of polyethylene

To investigate the characteristics of pyrolysis for LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE, the low temperature pyrolysis was carried out in the range of 425 to 500 degrees C for 35 to 65 min. The liquid products formed during pyrolysis were classified into gasoline, kerosene, light oil and wax according to the distillation temperatures based on the petroleum product quality standard of Korea Petroleum Quality Inspection Institute. TGA experiments for three PE samples showed that the onset temperature of pyrolysis increased with increasing heating rate, and the onset temperature of pyrolysis at a fixed heating rate was in the order of LDPE<LLDPE<HDPE. The conversions and yields of liquid products increased with pyrolysis temperature and pyrolysis time. The conversions of all samples were higher than 90 wt% at above 475 degrees C. Yields of gasoline and kerosene were highest at 450 degrees C, 65 min and decreased slightly at above 475 degrees C.