A review on catalytic pyrolysis of plastic wastes to high-value products. (15th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peng, Yujie; Wang, Yunpu; Ke, Linyao; Dai, Leilei; Wu, Qiuhao; Cobb, Kirk; Zeng, Yuan; Zou, Rongge; Liu, Yuhuan; Ruan, Roger
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 254(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-15
• Subjects: PET Polyethylene terephthalate -- PE Polyethylene -- PVC Polyvinyl chloride -- PP Polypropylene -- PS Polystyrene -- CNTs Carbon nanotubes -- PSW Plastic solid wastes -- HHV High calorific value -- HDPE High-density polyethylene -- LDPE Low-density polyethylene -- MAHs Monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons -- BTEX Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene -- CFP Catalytic fast pyrolysis -- TPA Terephthalic acid -- ZSM-5 Zeolite socony mobile-five -- USY Ultra-stable Y zeolite catalyst -- HZSM-5 Hydrogen zeolite socony mobile-five -- PAHs Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons -- MFI Mobile fifth -- MCM-41 Mobile Crystalline Material -- SBA-15 Santa Barbara USA-15 -- Fe-PILC Fe modified pillared clays -- BTX Benzene, toluene and xylene -- PPO PP pyrolysis oil -- HPPO Hydrogenated polypropylene pyrolysis oil -- LHSV Liquid hourly space velocity -- CVD Catalytic chemical vapor deposition -- MWCNTs Multi-walled carbon nanotubes -- CAPEX Capital expenditures -- OPEX and Operating expenditures -- NPV Net present value -- MSW Municipal solid wastes -- TPD Tones per day -- DMT Dry metric tons -- MSP Minimum selling price -- MPW Municipal plastic wastes -- PU Polyurethane -- PA polyamide -- LWP Lightweight packaging -- GWP Global warming potential -- CED Cumulative energy demand -- IRR Internal rate of return -- FCI fixed capital investment -- TCI Total capital investment -- TPI Total project investment -- MAP Microwave assisted pyrolysis; Plastic wastes -- Pyrolysis -- Catalysts -- Fuel -- Techno-economic assessment; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115243
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: White pollution and energy crisis can be alleviated via fuels conversion from plastic wastes. The application of efficient catalysts enables directional selection of targeted products. The downstream upgrading towards high-value products creates added value to a plastic-to-fuel process. Techno-economic assessment of catalytic pyrolysis systems for plastic wastes shows attractive industrialization prospects. Abstract: With the continuous increase of plastic wastes and the decrease of fossil energy, pyrolysis has emerged as a promising technology for the valorization of plastic wastes to produce fuels and chemicals. Properties of common plastics, mainly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and their mixtures are discussed with a focus on the pyrolysis mechanism and product distribution. The application of the most common catalysts (microporous/mesoporous zeolites, base catalysts, and clays) shows overwhelming advantages over thermal cracking, and an in-depth understanding of catalysts in several catalytic processes (ex-situ catalysts, tandem catalysts, bi-functional catalysts, multi-modal pore catalysts, and regenerated catalysts) is critical for efficient fuel production. Despite high-quality liquid fuels obtained, further upgrading (filtration, hydrogenation, distillation, liquid–liquid extraction or blending with conventional fuels) is required before their commercial application. Non-condensable gas is another co-product that can be upgraded for heat generation or as the precursor of high-value products (ethylene, propylene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), etc.). Finally, a more integrated techno-economic assessment process is conducted based on feedstock logistics, utilization of liquid fuels, full use of co-products, capital and operating costs. This review aims to inspire both fundamental and applied research efforts for the production of high-value products from the catalytic pyrolysis of plastic wastes and their full utilization to create the necessary technological and economic push for a circular economy.