Taguchi method optimization of wax production from pyrolysis of waste polypropylene

摘要

Present research deals with the conversion of waste commodity plastics to valuable commercial product in the form of wax by pyrolysis. Optimization of both processes yield and produced wax quality was performed by means of a statistical tool originally proposed by G. Taguchi, using temperature, catalyst, carrier gas, and dwell time as the parameters. The obtained wax was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Yield of wax was found to be maximum when the parameters were 600 ℃, Fe catalyst, nitrogen gas atmosphere, and 15 min time. However, stability of the wax was found to be optimum at 700 ℃. Calorific value of the wax thus obtained was *43 MJ kg~(-1), which supports its suitability as fuels like other petroleum products.