Using Simulated Distillation or Density to Maximize Lubricants Production from Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Pyrolysis

Abstract

This work focused on a study to evaluate the potential of using simulated distillation or density data of products obtained from waste Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) pyrolysis experiments to estimate the influence of process variables in order to maximize lubricant base oils and waxes production, which are in a distillation range above 300 °C. A laboratory apparatus was built and a two-level full factorial design with three factors (feedstock mass, inert gas flow and temperature) was proposed. The residence time of the LDPE feed was also recorded and included in the statistical analysis. Lubricants and waxes yields in the range 40-70 % wt were obtained. The products were analyzed by SFC, NMR and IR. The statistical analysis of the results showed that temperature, inert gas flow and their interaction have statistical significance in the model an there is no lack of fit. A comparison between the analysis with simulated distillation and density data was performed and it was noticed that density can be used to optimize the reaction section, allowing the maximization of lubricants and waxes production. These results support future application of density as a monitoring parameter of the pyrolysis conversion, since its measuring method is faster and cheaper.