Liquid-phase degradation of polyethylene wax over mordenite catalysts with different Si/Al molar ratios

The catalytic liquid-phase degradation of polyethylene wax into fuel oil was studied using mordenite catalysts with various Si/Al molar ratios prepared by dealumination. The total yield of gas and liquid products showed a volcano plot along the Si/Al molar ratio of mordenite. No significant change was observed in the composition of the liquid product for all catalysts used in this study. Fast deactivation was anticipated on the mordenite catalysts with low Si/Al molar ratios such as 5 and 10, due to pore blocking by the carbon deposited on the external surface of the zeolite. A high activity and a long catalyst life were obtained on the mordenite catalyst with a Si/Al molar ratio of 12.