A review of the interaction of natural and synthetic zeolites in the pyrolysis of plastics

Authors

Almirón, Jonathan

Valencia Huaman, Angel

Fuentes Mamani, Sandro

Mamani De La Cruz, Luis

Abstract

Zeolites are very complex alumino-silicate structures that, thanks to their composition, provide selectivity to pyrolytic processes, being well known as acid catalysts, despite the fact that natural zeolites have impurities, their work can be compared with synthetic ones (ZSM5 and HUSY). , which very often present more optimal results , this is due to presenting larger BET surfaces, reaching 870 m2/g and a pore size of 27 Å , supported by the reaction conditions that optimize the pyrolysis process (temperature, time, reactor and catalyst). Most of the research is carried out on thermoplastic polymers or a mixed variant of these, for the production of liquid oils, gases and coal. Obtaining mostly styrene, toluene, alkylbenzenes, naphthalenes, olefins that differ in the amount of carbon and bonds presented. Even natural catalysts such as HX and Barro Rojo, which obtained 44% and 39.8% of oils, respectively, in contrast to the synthetic zeolites HZSM-5 and HUSY, which reached an efficiency of 70% and 69.9% in oils, respectively, with variable times. of 30 - 90 min, temperatures of 450 ° C on average and evaluated in semi-discontinuous reactors in its majority, reaching the conclusion that the acids (H +) and the surface area and type of zeolite grant a large part of the performance for the production of desired raw materials.