Enhancing diesel production from waste plastics: A study on Pd/MCM-48 catalytic hydroprocessing

In recent years, plastic has emerged as a widely used material, replacing traditional materials across various industries due to its versatility and convenience. However, this extensive adoption of plastic has resulted in significant environmental challenges, especially in managing mixed plastic waste. To address this, energy recovery technologies have been developed to offer alternative recycling methods for plastic waste. This study specifically focuses on producing hydroprocessed plastic pyrolysis oil from mixed waste plastic to create environmentally compliant fuel. The scrutiny compares the resultant fuel with diesel using hydroprocessing techniques and catalytic pyrolysis. Physicochemical characterization and GC–MS analysis compare the properties and compositions of MPPO, HPO, and diesel fuel. The waste polymers, which included HDPE, PP, and LDPE, were hydroprocessed and pyrolysed using platinum sulphate on zirconia oxide supports to produce a diesel equivalent. The alkane content of the blended fuel that was produced was 95 % that of diesel. The n-alkane levels in the carbon number ranges C11–C15 and C16–C20 were, respectively, 25 % and 10 % lower than diesel. But as one might expect from mixing heavy fuel oil, there were substantially more n-alkanes with carbon numbers of C21–C25. The combined fuel contained 10 % fewer isoalkanes than diesel. Ships can be powered by low-carbon fuel that was created by combining hydroprocessed fuel with commercial heavy fuel oil. Since the alternative fuel will emit considerably fewer emissions, the maritime industry can choose to replace it in order to help fulfil. • HPO was generated with fuel characteristics, such as density and viscosity, that were similar to those of regular diesel. • The greater aromatics content in HPO predicted improved engine performance and combustion characteristics. • Hydroprocessing was a successful method for reducing the amount of alkene and contaminants, which improved fuel stability. • Using plastic waste to create HPO provided a more environmentally friendly fuel option than conventional fuels derived from petroleum.