Catalytic Pyrolysis Repurposing Plastic Waste

Zachary Y. Shin, Amir-Hadi Boroumand, Pilar S. Cuadros Arias, Jacob DerMovsesian, Shiaojung Louie, Adrian Rubio, Eric Dudley and Dr. Mingheng Li Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 trillion face masks were used and discarded as plastic waste. To mitigate mask pollution, a catalytic pyrolysis method was employed to decompose face masks into hydrocarbons in the range of gasoline and diesel. A semi-batch reactor was designed and built to crack the face masks at various temperatures with and without the presence of zeolite catalyst, yielding a crude oil product after condensation. The compositions of the products were then analyzed using two-dimensional gas chromatography. The results displayed a higher n-paraffin count for uncatalyzed products as compared to a higher iso-paraffins count in catalyzed product. 

​

Abstract

• ZSM-5 (Zeolite) catalyst.
• Polypropylene (PP) surgical face masks.
• Proportional Integration Derivative (PID) controller.
• Commercially available parts: bucket, fish pump, band heaters, gaskets, catalyst bed.

​

Materials

• Assemble the fixed bed semi-batch reactor.
• Load 50 grams of prepared facemasks and 14 grams of catalyst.
• Test reactor seal for leakage.
• Purge with carbon dioxide gas for 15 minutes.
• Increase PID 10°C per 5 minutes.
• Tabulate volume of oil captured and time.
• Breakdown and clean the reactor.

​

Methods

Temperature & Catalyst

Results

Catalytic pyrolysis demonstrates promising potential for the repurposing of face masks to mitigate plastic waste in our environment. Carbon distributions of various samples have been analyzed via two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) and the results indicate that the majority of the carbon chains are concentrated in the range of gasoline and light diesel. This shows that the oil yield has the potential to be further refined into a gasoline blend or light diesel. 

Conclusions

Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography (GC x GC)

• Different catalysts can be implemented to optimize oil yield and time efficiency.
• Mixed plastic feed provides a great way to better match industry practices, broadening the scope of our work.
• The addition of a constant nitrogen purge stream can better sustain pyrolysis conditions such as temperature and airless environment.
• Different catalyst and feed ratio may also help improve product yield and time as it can speed up the reaction rate while minimizing cracking.

​

Future Work

Melder, J., Zinsmeister, J., Grein, T., Jürgens, S., Köhler, M., & Oßwald, P. (2023). Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography: A universal method for composition-based prediction of emission characteristics of complex fuels. Energy & Fuels, 37(6), 4580–4595.

Jung S, Lee S, Dou X, Kwon EE. Valorization of disposable COVID-19 mask through the thermo-chemical process. Chem Eng J. 2021 Feb 1;405:126658. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126658. Epub 2020 Aug 14. PMID: 32834763; PMCID: PMC7426216.

Limin Wang, Shengxuan Li, Ibrahim M. Ahmad, Guiying Zhang, Yanfeng Sun, Yang Wang, Congnan Sun, Chuan Jiang, Peng Cui, Dongming Li, Global face mask pollution: threats to the environment and wildlife, and potential solutions, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 887, 2023,164055.

​

References

• American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
• Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab

​

​

​

Acknowledgements

• All average sample API density values fall in the density range of gasoline; 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

​

• Product samples composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

​

​

• Dr. Petr Vozka

​

​

• Joey Tulpinski

• Ulus Ekerman

​

Samples

Reaction Time vs. Temperature

Oil Volume vs. Temperature

Analysis

Weight % vs. Carbon Number

Carbon Number

Weight %

Undistilled

Distilled

.

Catalytic Pyrolysis: Repurposing Plastic Waste

Zachary Y. Shin; Amir-Hadi Boroumand; Pilar Cuadros Arias; Adrian Rubio, Jacob DerMovsesian, Shiaojung Louie, Eric Dudley, Dr. Mingheng Li, PhD

Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 trillion face masks were used and discarded as plastic waste. To mitigate mask pollution, a catalytic pyrolysis method was employed to decompose face masks into hydrocarbons in the range of gasoline and diesel. A semi-batch reactor was designed and built to crack the face masks at various temperatures with and without the presence of zeolite catalyst, yielding a crude oil product after condensation. The compositions of the products were then analyzed using two-dimensional gas chromatography. The results displayed a higher n-paraffin count for uncatalyzed products as compared to a higher iso-paraffins count in catalyzed product. 

​

Abstract

• ZSM-5 (Zeolite) catalyst.
• Polypropylene (PP) surgical face masks.
• Proportional Integration Derivative (PID) controller.
• Commercially available parts: bucket, fish pump, band heaters, gaskets, catalyst bed.

​

Materials

• Assemble the semi-batch reactor.
• Load 50 grams of prepared facemasks and 14 grams of catalyst.
• Test reactor seal for leakage.
• Purge with carbon dioxide gas for 15 minutes.
• Increase PID 10°C per 5 minutes.
• Tabulate volume of oil captured and time.
• Breakdown and clean the reactor.

​

Methods

Temperature & Catalyst

Results & Analysis

Catalytic Pyrolysis demonstrates promising potential for the repurposing of face masks to mitigate plastic waste in our environment. Carbon distributions of various samples have been analyzed via two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) and the results indicated that the majority of the carbon chains are concentrated in the range of gasoline and light diesel. This shows that the oil yielded has the potential to be further refined into a gasoline blend or light diesel. 

Conclusions

• ZSM-5's acidic nature cracks larger hydrocarbon chains to incompressible gases. 

​

Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography (GC x GC)

Figure 4: Product composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

• Different Catalysts can be implemented to optimize oil yield and time efficiency.
• Mixed, plastic feed provides a great way to better match industry practices, broadening the scope of our work.
• The addition of a constant nitrogen purge stream can better sustain pyrolysis conditions such as temperature and airless environment.
• Different cat/feed ratio may also help improve product yield and time as it can speed up the reaction rate while minimizing cracking.

​

Future Work

Melder, J., Zinsmeister, J., Grein, T., Jürgens, S., Köhler, M., & Oßwald, P. (2023). Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography: A universal method for composition-based prediction of emission characteristics of complex fuels. Energy & Fuels, 37(6), 4580–4595.

Jung S, Lee S, Dou X, Kwon EE. Valorization of disposable COVID-19 mask through the thermo-chemical process. Chem Eng J. 2021 Feb 1;405:126658. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126658. Epub 2020 Aug 14. PMID: 32834763; PMCID: PMC7426216.

Limin Wang, Shengxuan Li, Ibrahim M. Ahmad, Guiying Zhang, Yanfeng Sun, Yang Wang, Congnan Sun, Chuan Jiang, Peng Cui, Dongming Li, Global face mask pollution: threats to the environment and wildlife, and potential solutions, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 887, 2023,164055.

​

References

• American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
• Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab
• Dr. Mingheng Li

​

​

Acknowledgements

• All average sample API density values fall in the density range of gasoline; 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

​

• Product samples composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

​

​

• The increased iso-paraffin weight percentage in the sample demonstrates high combustion potential and thermal stability

• Dr. Petr Vozka

​

​

• Joey Tulpinski

• Ulus Ekerman

​

Samples

Figure 1 : (A) Reactor feed, ZSM-5, and PID. (B) Fully Assembled Reactor, (C) Insulated reactor, condenser unit, and oil yield.

(A)

(B)

(C)

Figure 2: Reaction time of catalyzed and uncatalyzed trails ranging from 420ºC to 475ºC

Figure 3: Oil volume of catalyzed and uncatalyzed trials ranging from 420ºC to 475ºC

Reaction Time vs. Temperature

Oil Volume vs. Temperature

Figure 5: Comparison of weight percent of specific carbon classes and temperature in the presence of catalyst.

Figure 6: Comparison of weight percent of specific carbon classes and temperature.

Catalyst: Weight % vs. Carbon Classes

No Catalyst: Weight % vs. Carbon Classes

Figure 9: Oil yield of catalytic, non-catalytic (BLAH)

Figure 8: Average API Density of Catalyzed and Uncatalyzed Samples from Trials ranging from 420ºC-475ºC.

Figure 7: Weight percent of a range of carbon numbers from an undistilled and distilled 475ºC Sample, analyzed by GCxGC.

.

Catalytic Pyrolysis: Repurposing Plastic Waste

Zachary Y. Shin; Amir-Hadi Boroumand; Pilar Cuadros Arias; Adrian Rubio, Jacob DerMovsesian, Shiaojung Louie, Eric Dudley, Dr. Mingheng Li, PhD

Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

​

​

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 trillion face masks were used and discarded as plastic waste. To mitigate mask pollution, a catalytic pyrolysis method was employed to decompose face masks into hydrocarbons in the range of gasoline and diesel. A semi-batch reactor was designed and built to crack the face masks at various temperatures with and without the presence of zeolite catalyst, yielding a crude oil product after condensation. The compositions of the products were then analyzed using two-dimensional gas chromatography. The results displayed a higher n-paraffin count for uncatalyzed products as compared to a higher iso-paraffins count in catalyzed product. 

​

Abstract

• ZSM-5 (Zeolite) catalyst.
• Polypropylene (PP) surgical face masks.
• Proportional Integration Derivative (PID) controller.
• Commercially available parts: bucket, fish pump, band heaters, gaskets, catalyst bed.

​

Materials

• Assemble the semi-batch reactor.
• Load 50 grams of prepared facemasks and 14 grams of catalyst.
• Test reactor seal for leakage.
• Purge with carbon dioxide gas for 15 minutes.
• Increase PID 10°C per 5 minutes.
• Tabulate volume of oil captured and time.
• Breakdown and clean the reactor.

​

Methods

Temperature & Catalyst

Results & Analysis

Catalytic Pyrolysis demonstrates promising potential for the repurposing of face masks to mitigate plastic waste in our environment. Carbon distributions of various samples have been analyzed via two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) and the results indicated that the majority of the carbon chains are concentrated in the range of gasoline and light diesel. This shows that the oil yielded has the potential to be further refined into a gasoline blend or light diesel. 

Conclusions

• ZSM-5's acidic nature cracks larger hydrocarbon chains to incompressible gases. 

​

Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography (GC x GC)

Figure 4: Product composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

• Different catalysts can be implemented to optimize oil yield and time efficiency.
• Mixed, plastic feed provides a great way to better match industry practices, broadening the scope of our work.
• The addition of a constant nitrogen purge stream can better sustain pyrolysis conditions such as temperature and airless environment.
• Different cat/feed ratio may also help improve product yield and time as it can speed up the reaction rate while minimizing cracking.

​

Future Work

Melder, J., Zinsmeister, J., Grein, T., Jürgens, S., Köhler, M., & Oßwald, P. (2023). Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography: A universal method for composition-based prediction of emission characteristics of complex fuels. Energy & Fuels, 37(6), 4580–4595.

Jung S, Lee S, Dou X, Kwon EE. Valorization of disposable COVID-19 mask through the thermo-chemical process. Chem Eng J. 2021 Feb 1;405:126658. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126658. Epub 2020 Aug 14. PMID: 32834763; PMCID: PMC7426216.

Limin Wang, Shengxuan Li, Ibrahim M. Ahmad, Guiying Zhang, Yanfeng Sun, Yang Wang, Congnan Sun, Chuan Jiang, Peng Cui, Dongming Li, Global face mask pollution: threats to the environment and wildlife, and potential solutions, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 887, 2023,164055.

​

References

• American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
• Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab
• Dr. Mingheng Li

​

​

Acknowledgements

• All average sample API density values fall in the density range of gasoline; 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

​

• Product samples composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

​

​

• The increased iso-paraffin weight percentage in the sample demonstrates high combustion potential and thermal stability

• Dr. Petr Vozka

​

​

• Joey Tulpinski

• Ulus Ekerman

​

Samples

SMTH

Range of gasoline; 

• 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

​

Figure 1 : (A) Reactor feed, ZSM-5, and PID. (B) Fully Assembled Reactor, (C) Insulated reactor, condenser unit, and oil volume.

(A)

(B)

(C)

Figure 2: Catalyst and no catalyst reaction time vs. temperature.

Figure 3: Catalyst and no catalyst oil volume vs. temperature.

Reaction Time vs. Temperature

Oil Volume vs. Temperature

Figure 5: Comparison of weight percent of specific carbon classes and temperature in the presence of catalyst.

Figure 6: Comparison of weight percent of specific carbon classes and temperature.

Catalyst: Weight % vs. Carbon Classes

No Catalyst: Weight % vs. Carbon Classes

Figure 9: Oil yield of catalytic, non-catalytic (BLAH)

Figure 7: Weight percent of a range of carbon numbers from an undistilled and distilled 475ºC Sample, analyzed by GCxGC.

Figure 8: Average API Density of Catalyzed and Uncatalyzed Samples from Trials ranging at 420ºC-475ºC.

.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 trillion face masks were used and discarded as plastic waste. To mitigate mask pollution, a catalytic pyrolysis method was employed to decompose face masks into hydrocarbons in the range of gasoline and diesel. A semi-batch reactor was designed and built to crack the face masks at various temperatures with and without the presence of zeolite catalyst, yielding a crude oil product after condensation. The compositions of the products were then analyzed using two-dimensional gas chromatography. The results displayed a higher n-paraffin count for uncatalyzed products as compared to a higher iso-paraffins count in catalyzed product. 

​

Abstract

• ZSM-5 (Zeolite) catalyst.
• Polypropylene (PP) surgical face masks.
• Proportional Integration Derivative (PID) controller.
• Commercially available parts: bucket, fish pump, band heaters, gaskets, catalyst bed.

​

Materials

• Assemble the semi-batch reactor.
• Load 50 grams of prepared facemasks and 14 grams of catalyst.
• Test reactor seal for leakage.
• Purge with carbon dioxide gas for 15 minutes.
• Increase PID 10°C per 5 minutes.
• Tabulate volume of oil captured and time.
• Breakdown and clean the reactor.

​

Methods

Temperature & Catalyst

Results & Analysis

Catalytic Pyrolysis demonstrates promising potential for the repurposing of face masks to mitigate plastic waste in our environment. Carbon distributions of various samples have been analyzed via two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) and the results indicated that the majority of the carbon chains are concentrated in the range of gasoline and light diesel. This shows that the oil yielded has the potential to be further refined into a gasoline blend or light diesel. 

Conclusions

• ZSM-5's acidic nature cracks larger hydrocarbon chains to incompressible gases. 

​

Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography (GC x GC)

Figure 4: Product composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

• Different Catalysts can be implemented to optimize oil yield and time efficiency.
• Mixed, plastic feed provides a great way to better match industry practices, broadening the scope of our work.
• The addition of a constant nitrogen purge stream can better sustain pyrolysis conditions such as temperature and airless environment.
• Different cat/feed ratio may also help improve product yield and time as it can speed up the reaction rate while minimizing cracking.

​

Future Work

Melder, J., Zinsmeister, J., Grein, T., Jürgens, S., Köhler, M., & Oßwald, P. (2023). Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography: A universal method for composition-based prediction of emission characteristics of complex fuels. Energy & Fuels, 37(6), 4580–4595.

Jung S, Lee S, Dou X, Kwon EE. Valorization of disposable COVID-19 mask through the thermo-chemical process. Chem Eng J. 2021 Feb 1;405:126658. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126658. Epub 2020 Aug 14. PMID: 32834763; PMCID: PMC7426216.

Limin Wang, Shengxuan Li, Ibrahim M. Ahmad, Guiying Zhang, Yanfeng Sun, Yang Wang, Congnan Sun, Chuan Jiang, Peng Cui, Dongming Li, Global face mask pollution: threats to the environment and wildlife, and potential solutions, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 887, 2023,164055.

​

References

• American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
• Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab
• Dr. Mingheng Li

​

​

Acknowledgements

• All average sample API density values fall in the density range of gasoline; 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

​

• Product samples composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

​

​

• The increased iso-paraffin weight percentage in the sample demonstrates high combustion potential and thermal stability

• Dr. Petr Vozka

​

​

• Joey Tulpinski

• Ulus Ekerman

​

Samples

Figure 1 : (A) Reactor feed, ZSM-5, and PID. (B) Fully Assembled Reactor, (C) Insulated reactor, condenser unit, and oil yield.

(A)

(B)

(C)

Figure 2: Reaction time of catalyzed and uncatalyzed trails ranging from 420ºC to 475ºC

Figure 3: Oil volume of catalyzed and uncatalyzed trials ranging from 420ºC to 475ºC

Reaction Time vs. Temperature

Oil Volume vs. Temperature

Figure 5: Comparison of weight percent of specific carbon classes and temperature in the presence of catalyst.

Figure 6: Comparison of weight percent of specific carbon classes and temperature.

Catalyst: Weight % vs. Carbon Classes

No Catalyst: Weight % vs. Carbon Classes

Figure 9: Oil yield of catalytic, non-catalytic (BLAH)

Figure 8: Average API Density of Catalyzed and Uncatalyzed Samples from Trials ranging from 420ºC-475ºC.

Figure 7: Weight percent of a range of carbon numbers from an undistilled and distilled 475ºC Sample, analyzed by GCxGC.

`

Catalytic Pyrolysis: Repurposing Plastic Waste

Zachary Y. Shin; Amir-Hadi Boroumand; Pilar S. Cuadros Arias; Adrian Rubio, Jacob DerMovsesian, Shiaojung Louie, Eric Dudley, Dr. Mingheng Li, PhD

Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

.

Catalytic Pyrolysis: Repurposing Plastic Waste

Zachary Y. Shin; Amir-Hadi Boroumand; Pilar Cuadros Arias; Adrian Rubio, Jacob DerMovsesian, Shiaojung Louie, Eric Dudley, Dr. Mingheng Li, PhD

Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

​

​

​

​

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 trillion face masks were used and discarded as plastic waste. To mitigate mask pollution, a catalytic pyrolysis method was employed to decompose face masks into hydrocarbons in the range of gasoline and diesel. A semi-batch reactor was designed and built to crack the face masks at various temperatures with and without the presence of zeolite catalyst, yielding a crude oil product after condensation. The compositions of the products were then analyzed using two-dimensional gas chromatography. The results displayed a higher n-paraffin count for uncatalyzed products as compared to a higher iso-paraffins count in catalyzed product. 

​

Abstract

• ZSM-5 (Zeolite) catalyst.
• Polypropylene (PP) surgical face masks.
• Proportional Integration Derivative (PID) controller.
• Commercially available parts: bucket, fish pump, band heaters, gaskets, catalyst bed.

​

Materials

• Assemble the semi-batch reactor.
• Load 50 grams of prepared facemasks and 14 grams of catalyst.
• Test reactor seal for leakage.
• Purge with carbon dioxide gas for 15 minutes.
• Increase PID 10°C per 5 minutes.
• Tabulate volume of oil captured and time.
• Breakdown and clean the reactor.

​

Methods

Temperature & Catalyst

Results

Catalytic Pyrolysis demonstrates promising potential for the repurposing of face masks to mitigate plastic waste in our environment. Carbon distributions of various samples have been analyzed via two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) and the results indicated that the majority of the carbon chains are concentrated in the range of gasoline and light diesel. This shows that the oil yielded has the potential to be further refined into a gasoline blend or light diesel. 

Conclusions

• ZSM-5's acidic nature cracks larger hydrocarbon chains to incompressible gases. 

​

Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography (GC x GC)

Figure 4: Product samples composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

• Different Catalysts can be implemented to optimize oil yield and time efficiency.
• Mixed, plastic feed provides a great way to better match industry practices, broadening the scope of our work.
• The addition of a constant nitrogen purge stream can better sustain pyrolysis conditions such as temperature and airless environment.
• Different cat/feed ratio may also help improve product yield and time as it can speed up the reaction rate while minimizing cracking.

​

Future Work

Melder, J., Zinsmeister, J., Grein, T., Jürgens, S., Köhler, M., & Oßwald, P. (2023). Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography: A universal method for composition-based prediction of emission characteristics of complex fuels. Energy & Fuels, 37(6), 4580–4595.

Jung S, Lee S, Dou X, Kwon EE. Valorization of disposable COVID-19 mask through the thermo-chemical process. Chem Eng J. 2021 Feb 1;405:126658. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126658. Epub 2020 Aug 14. PMID: 32834763; PMCID: PMC7426216.

Limin Wang, Shengxuan Li, Ibrahim M. Ahmad, Guiying Zhang, Yanfeng Sun, Yang Wang, Congnan Sun, Chuan Jiang, Peng Cui, Dongming Li, Global face mask pollution: threats to the environment and wildlife, and potential solutions, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 887, 2023,164055.

​

References

• American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
• Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab
• Dr. Mingheng Li

​

​

Acknowledgements

• All average sample API density values fall in the density range of gasoline; 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

​

• Product samples composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

​

​

• The increased iso-paraffin mass fraction in the sample demonstrates high combustion potential and thermal stability

• Dr. Petr Vozka

​

​

• Joey Tulpinski

• Ulus Ekerman

​

Samples

SMTH

Range of gasoline; 

• 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

​

Figure 1 : (A) Reactor feed, ZSM-5, and PID. (B) Fully Assembled Reactor, (C) Insulated reactor, condenser unit, and oil yield.

(A)

(B)

(C)

Figure 2: Catalyst and no catalyst temperature trials vs. reaction time.

Figure 3: Catalyst and no catalyst temperature trials vs. Oil Volume.

Reaction Time vs. Temperature

Oil Volume vs. Temperature

.

Catalytic Pyrolysis: Repurposing Plastic Waste

John Smit¹; Jane Doe, PhD²; Adrian Rubio, Jacob DerMovsesian, Shiaojung Louie, Eric Dudley, Dr. Mingheng Li

¹Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

​

​

​

​

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 trillion face masks were used and discarded as plastic waste. To mitigate mask pollution, a catalytic pyrolysis method was employed to decompose face masks into hydrocarbons in the range of gasoline and diesel. A semi-batch reactor was designed and built to crack the face masks at various temperatures with and without the presence of zeolite catalyst, yielding a crude oil product after condensation. The compositions of the products were then analyzed using two-dimensional gas chromatography. The results displayed a higher n-paraffin count for uncatalyzed products as compared to a higher iso-paraffins count in catalyzed product. 

​

Abstract

• ZSM-5 (Zeolite) catalyst
• Polypropylene (PP) surgical face masks
• Proportional Integration Derivative (PID) controller
• Commercially available parts: bucket, fish pump, band heaters, gaskets, catalyst bed

​

Materials

• A fixed semi-batch reactor
• 50 grams of facemasks &14 grams of catalyst
• A leak test: bubble formation = leak.
• purged with carbon dioxide gas roughly for 15 minutes.
• PID set to 10°C/minute increase.
• 3 minutes to prevent PID overshoot.
• The volume of oil, along the time, is tabulated to monitor the reaction rate.
• Cleaning the reactor of contaminants ensures that the next sample of oil remains pure.

​

Methods

Temperature & Catalyst

Results

Catalytic Pyrolysis demonstrates promising potential for the repurposing of face masks with the intention of mitigating plastic waste in our environment. Carbon distributions of various samples have been collected via a two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC). Results indicated that majority of our carbon chains are concentrated in the range of gasoline and light diesel. This indicates that our sample can be refined with the potential to be a gasoline blend.

Conclusions

• Increased reaction rate.
• ZSM-5 catalyst lowers the yield of the liquid oil product. 
• ZSM-5's acidic nature cracks larger hydrocarbon chains to incompressible gases. 

​

Gas Chromatography (GC x GC)

Figure # : Product samples composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

• Different Catalysts can be implemented to optimize oil yield and time efficiency.
• Mixed, plastic feed provides a great way to better match industry practices, broadening the scope of our work.
• The addition of a constant nitrogen purge stream can better sustain pyrolysis conditions such as temperature and airless environment.
• Different cat/feed ratio may also help improve product yield and time as it can speed up the reaction rate while minimizing cracking

​

Future Work

Melder, J., Zinsmeister, J., Grein, T., Jürgens, S., Köhler, M., & Oßwald, P. (2023). Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography: A universal method for composition-based prediction of emission characteristics of complex fuels. Energy & Fuels, 37(6), 4580–4595.

Jung S, Lee S, Dou X, Kwon EE. Valorization of disposable COVID-19 mask through the thermo-chemical process. Chem Eng J. 2021 Feb 1;405:126658. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126658. Epub 2020 Aug 14. PMID: 32834763; PMCID: PMC7426216.

Limin Wang, Shengxuan Li, Ibrahim M. Ahmad, Guiying Zhang, Yanfeng Sun, Yang Wang, Congnan Sun, Chuan Jiang, Peng Cui, Dongming Li, Global face mask pollution: threats to the environment and wildlife, and potential solutions, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 887, 2023,164055.

​

References

• American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
• Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab
• Dr. Mingheng Li

​

​

Acknowledgements

• All average sample API density values fall in the density range of gasoline; 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

​

• Product samples composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

​

​

• The increased iso-paraffin mass fraction in the sample demonstrates high combustion potential and thermal stability

• Dr. Petr Vozka

​

​

• Joey Tulpinski

• Ulus Ekerman

​

# fixing

SMTH

Range of gasoline; 

• 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

​

.

Catalytic Pyrolysis: Repurposing Plastic Waste

John Smit¹; Jane Doe, PhD²; Adrian Rubio, Jacob DerMovsesian, Shiaojung Louie, Eric Dudley, Dr. Mingheng Li

¹Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

​

​

​

​

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 trillion face masks were used and discarded as plastic waste. To mitigate mask pollution, a catalytic pyrolysis method was employed to decompose face masks into hydrocarbons in the range of gasoline and diesel. A semi-batch reactor was designed and built to crack the face masks at various temperatures with and without the presence of zeolite catalyst, yielding a crude oil product after condensation. The compositions of the products were then analyzed using two-dimensional gas chromatography. The results displayed a higher n-paraffin count for uncatalyzed products as compared to a higher iso-paraffins count in catalyzed product. 

​

Abstract

• ZSM-5 (Zeolite) catalyst
• Polypropylene (PP) surgical face masks
• Proportional Integration Derivative (PID) controller
• Commercially available parts: bucket, fish pump, band heaters, gaskets, catalyst bed

​

Materials

• A fixed semi-batch reactor
• 50 grams of facemasks &14 grams of catalyst
• A leak test: bubble formation = leak.
• purged with carbon dioxide gas roughly for 15 minutes.
• PID set to 10°C/minute increase.
• 3 minutes to prevent PID overshoot.
• The volume of oil, along the time, is tabulated to monitor the reaction rate.
• Cleaning the reactor of contaminants ensures that the next sample of oil remains pure.

​

Methods

Temperature & Catalyst

Results

Catalytic Pyrolysis demonstrates promising potential for the repurposing of face masks with the intention of mitigating plastic waste in our environment. Carbon distributions of various samples have been collected via a two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC). Results indicated that majority of our carbon chains are concentrated in the range of gasoline and light diesel. This indicates that our sample can be refined with the potential to be a gasoline blend.

Conclusions

• Increased reaction rate.
• ZSM-5 catalyst lowers the yield of the liquid oil product. 
• ZSM-5's acidic nature cracks larger hydrocarbon chains to incompressible gases. 

​

Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography (GC x GC)

Figure # : Product samples composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

• Different Catalysts can be implemented to optimize oil yield and time efficiency.
• Mixed, plastic feed provides a great way to better match industry practices, broadening the scope of our work.
• The addition of a constant nitrogen purge stream can better sustain pyrolysis conditions such as temperature and airless environment.
• Different cat/feed ratio may also help improve product yield and time as it can speed up the reaction rate while minimizing cracking

​

Future Work

Melder, J., Zinsmeister, J., Grein, T., Jürgens, S., Köhler, M., & Oßwald, P. (2023). Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography: A universal method for composition-based prediction of emission characteristics of complex fuels. Energy & Fuels, 37(6), 4580–4595.

Jung S, Lee S, Dou X, Kwon EE. Valorization of disposable COVID-19 mask through the thermo-chemical process. Chem Eng J. 2021 Feb 1;405:126658. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126658. Epub 2020 Aug 14. PMID: 32834763; PMCID: PMC7426216.

Limin Wang, Shengxuan Li, Ibrahim M. Ahmad, Guiying Zhang, Yanfeng Sun, Yang Wang, Congnan Sun, Chuan Jiang, Peng Cui, Dongming Li, Global face mask pollution: threats to the environment and wildlife, and potential solutions, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 887, 2023,164055.

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References

• American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
• Complex Chemical Composition Analysis Lab
• Dr. Mingheng Li

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Acknowledgements

• All average sample API density values fall in the density range of gasoline; 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

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• Product samples composition by weight percent for each hydrocarbon chain and its respective hydrocarbon class.

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• The increased iso-paraffin mass fraction in the sample demonstrates high combustion potential and thermal stability

• Dr. Petr Vozka

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• Joey Tulpinski

• Ulus Ekerman

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# fixing

SMTH

Range of gasoline; 

• 0.71g/cm³ to 0.77 g/cm³

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