In this work the degradation of some of the main plastics responsible for waste, viz. high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP), was studied using a spent FCC catalyst (fluid cracking catalyst) and a zeolitic catalyst (ADZ3) synthesized in laboratory. Using thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) and gas chromatography (GC) techniques, it was possible to evaluate the products from these polyolefins cracking. The catalytic degradation of polyolefins led to a preferential production of LPG, diesel and gasoline, which are important products of the Brazilian energetic matrix. The spent FCC catalyst was more selective for production of LPG and gasoline, whereas the diesel production was more favored with the ADZ3 catalyst.
Polyolefins; degradation; thermal analysis; fuels; zeolites
