Recycling polyolefin plastic waste at short contact times via rapid joule heating

Selvam, Esun; Yu, Kewei; Ngu, Jacqueline; Najmi, Sean; Vlachos, Dionisios G.

doi:10.1038/s41467-024-50035-3

Recycling polyolefin plastic waste at short contact times via rapid joule heating

Journal Article · Fri Jul 05 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Nature Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-50035-3· OSTI ID:2394674

; ; Ngu, Jacqueline; ;

Abstract

The chemical deconstruction of polyolefins to fuels, lubricants, and waxes offers a promising strategy for mitigating their accumulation in landfills and the environment. Yet, achieving true recyclability of polyolefins into C ₂ -C ₄ monomers with high yields, low energy demand, and low carbon dioxide emissions under realistic polymer-to-catalyst ratios remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate a single-step electrified approach utilizing Rapid Joule Heating over an H-ZSM-5 catalyst to efficiently deconstruct polyolefin plastic waste into light olefins (C ₂ -C ₄ ) in milliseconds, with high productivity at much higher polymer-to-catalyst ratio than prior work. The catalyst is essential in producing a narrow distribution of light olefins. Pulsed operation and steam co-feeding enable highly selective deconstruction (product fraction of >90% towards C ₂ -C ₄ hydrocarbons) with minimal catalyst deactivation compared to Continuous Joule Heating. This laboratory-scale approach demonstrates effective deconstruction of real-life waste materials, resilience to additives and impurities, and versatility for circular polyolefin plastic waste management.

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Research Organization:: Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI); Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization Office (IEDO); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0021166

OSTI ID:: 2394674

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2472242

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 15; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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