Liquid-phase degradation of polyethylene wax over mordenite catalysts withdifferent Si Al molar ratios

The catalytic liquid-phase degradation of polyethylene wax into fuel oil wa s studied using mordenite catalysts with various Si/Al molar ratios prepare d by dealumination. The total yield of gas and liquid products showed a vol cano plot along the Si/Al molar ratio of mordenite. No significant change w as observed in the composition of the liquid product for all catalysts used in this study. Fast deactivation was anticipated on the mordenite catalyst s 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 a nd a long catalyst life were obtained on the mordenite catalyst with a Si/A l molar ratio of 12.