Investigation of the Catalytic Depolymerization of Plastic Wastes into Waxes

蜡是一种价值100亿美元的全球商品，几乎用于各行各业。目前，超过94%的蜡是直接从原油、天然气或煤炭中产生的。GreenMantra是一家特种化学品公司，已将专利和专有催化解聚技术商业化，以经济地生产各种蜡和特种化学品。 GreenMantra采用创新的专有工艺，以经济高效的方式将塑料转化为高价值的特种化学品，如蜡，润滑脂和润滑剂。GreenMantra的技术平台允许从长链聚合物（塑料）生产低分子量聚合物（蜡）。这些合成蜡被用作传统石油基蜡的替代品。可以定制蜡以解决石油基产品或其他合成产品的关键性能特性。然而，需要对一些关键参数有更多的了解，以改善解聚工艺和多样化的产品范围。特别是，缺少关于优化催化剂性能和工艺产率的关键参数的知识，限制了这种清洁技术的更广泛实施。特别是，催化剂寿命和机理方面仍有待阐明的整体工艺效率。为了回答这些问题，该项目将研究高密度聚乙烯的催化解聚，通过调查催化剂随时间的稳定性/活性，工艺条件和动力学因素，并确定这些参数如何影响工艺性能和总产品收率。绿色曼特拉的科学家们研究了与催化剂用量和预处理有关的不同参数对解聚和蜡产率的影响。然而，必须进一步研究三个具体方面：1）用于解聚原始聚乙烯的绿色Mantra催化剂的寿命和反应速率; 2）各种再循环流（污染水平）对催化剂活性的影响;和3）解聚机理。预计项目目标的实现将给加拿大带来以下好处：（一）为几个重要市场开发增值的“绿色"蜡;（二）减少化学和聚合物废物以及对石油产品的依赖;（三）为回收聚合物市场开辟新的业务机会;（四）增加加拿大在更可持续的化学品方面的自主权。

Wax is a $10 billion global commodity that is used in almost all walks of life. Currently, over 94% of all waxes are created directly from crude oil, natural gas or coal. GreenMantra is a specialty chemical company that has commercialized a patented and proprietary catalytic depolymerization technology to economically produce a variety of waxes and specialty chemicals. GreenMantra utilizes an innovative and proprietary process to cost-effectively transform plastics into high-value specialty chemicals such as waxes, greases and lubricants. GreenMantra's technology platform allows for the production of low molecular weight polymers (waxes) from long chain polymers (plastics). These synthetic waxes are used as a replacement to traditional petroleum-based waxes. The waxes can be tailored to address key performance properties of petroleum-based products or other synthetic products. However, more insights into some of the key parameters are needed for improving the depolymerization process and diversifying product range. In particular, missing knowledge around key parameters to optimize catalyst performances and process yield, limits wider implementation of this clean technology. Especially, catalyst lifetime and mechanistic aspects remain to be elucidated for overall process efficiency. To answer these questions, the project will study the catalytic depolymerisation of high density polyethylene, by investigating the catalyst stability/activity over time, process conditions and kinetic factors, and determine how these parameters influence process performance and the overall product yields. Scientists at Green Mantra have studied the impact of varying parameters related to the catalyst dosage and pre-treatment on depolymerisation and wax yield. However, three further specific aspects have to be studied: 1) Life span, and reaction rate of Green Mantra's catalyst for depolymerization of virgin polyethylene; 2) The impact of various recycled streams (level of contamination) on the activity of the catalyst; and 3) the mechanism of depolymerisation. It is expected that the achievement of the project goals will bring the following benefits to Canada: (i) development of value added ''green'' waxes for several important markets; (ii) reduction of chemical and polymer wastes and dependency on petroleum products; (iii) new openings in term of business for the recycled polymer market; and (iv) increase Canadian autonomy for more sustainable chemicals.