Recovery of fuels and chemicals through catalytic pyrolysis of plastic wastes

The effects of various promoted and unpromoted mixed oxide catalysts on yields and compositions of liquid organic products as measured in a small laboratory pyrolysis reactor are reported. While such small-scale results do not accurately predict process plant yields, they provide a useful reference in preliminary economic evaluations and in planning larger-scale tests. Therefore, on the basis of laboratory results, a commercial-scale catalytic pyrolysis plant for the production of synthetic crude oil was simulated by using Aspen Plus and the economics were developed. Depending on certain assumptions, such a process could be profitable. To test the possibility of producing chemicals, a separations plant was added. Simulation results again suggested potential economic viability.