Semester of Graduation

Spring

Degree

Master of Science in Biological and Agricultural Engineering (MSBAE)

Department

Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Accumulation of discarded low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has become a serious issue worldwide, affecting the environment directly and indirectly. The processes available to recycle LDPE are becoming more efficient, and their implementation is essential to reduce contamination and use of fossil fuels. Depolymerization of LDPE under microwave (MW) irradiation is a chemical recycling process that has been shown to degrade polyethylene and obtain alkane and alkene monomers. In this study, two systems were used, the first study is resonance waveguide system (RWS) that was used to apply microwave energy to a glass reactor (placed at a resonant location) that contains LDPE and catalyst. the second study is a batch microwave system (BMS) that contains catalyst LDPE and solvent. These systems were designed to allow a higher depolymerization rate and yield, as well as more efficient energy conversion into heat. We found that depolymerizing LDPE under MW irradiation increase the gas yields and reaches to the desire temperature in a short time, as temperature increased from 150°C-190°C (using ZSM-5, REOM-72, ZSM-5 with nickel (ZSM/Ni), PtAl2O3 as catalysts) in the RWS and 140°C-160°C (using ZnS, REOM-72, ZSM-5 with nickel (ZSM/Ni), PtAl2O3 as catalysts and Xylene as a solvent) in the BMS.

Both configurations (resonant waveguide system and batch mw system) proved to be a viable and efficient method for the depolymerization of low-density polyethylene to obtain monomers polymers and olefins. Future research will focus on creating a continuous system in order to increase low molecular carbon yields.

Date

1-26-2024

Committee Chair

Dorin Boldor

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Available for download on Friday, January 17, 2031

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