Synthesis of high-density jet fuel from plastics via catalytically integral processes

Abstract

The present study was aimed at synthesizing JP-5 navy fuel from plastics through a novel pathway. The consecutive processes for manufacturing JP-5 navy fuel principally included the catalytic microwave-induced degradation of low-density polyethylene (a model compound of waste plastics) and the hydrotreatment of obtained liquid organics. The catalytic microwave degradation was conducted at the catalytic temperature of 375 °C and catalyst to feed ratio of 0.1. The carbon yield of the liquid organics from the catalytic microwave degradation was 66.18%, mainly consisting of a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons and aliphatic olefins. Several variables, such as initial pressure and catalyst to reactant ratio, were employed to determine the optimal condition for the production of alternative jet fuels in the hydrotreating process. We observed that the aromatic hydrocarbons and aliphatic olefins as the precursors of jet fuels could be converted into jet fuel range aliphatic alkanes and cycloalkanes. The hydrotreated organics from the experiment conducted at the reaction temperature of 250 °C for 2 h included 31.23% selectivity towards aliphatic alkanes, 53.06% selectivity towards cycloalkanes, and 15% selectivity towards remaining aromatic hydrocarbons, which were consistent with the specifications of JP-5 navy fuel. In this regard, the catalytic microwave degradation of plastics and the hydrotreatment of obtained liquid organics can be regarded as a clear breakthrough to producing alternative jet fuels. From a commercial point of view, the catalytically integrated processes could be the most feasible for synthesizing advanced jet fuels (e.g. JP-5 navy fuel).