CHARACTERIZATION OF COKE FORMED IN THE PYROLYSIS OF POLYETHYLENE

The characteristics and the reactivity of coke formed in the pyrolysis of polyethylene (PE) were investigated. A laboratory-scale fixed-bed reactor was used for PE pyrolysis at different temperatures. The morph ology of the coke collected was analyzed by scanning electron microsco py. Reactivity of the coke samples was studied by thermogravimetric an alysis in oxygen and carbon dioxide. Kinetic parameters and reaction o rder with respect to gas partial pressure were estimated and compared to literature data.