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Conversion of LDPE into transportation fuels by a two-stage process using Ni/Al-SBA-15 as catalyst

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Abstract

Ni/Al-SBA-15 catalysts with Si/Al atomic ratios within the 20–135 range were prepared by a post synthesis grafting procedure, having nickel contents between 6 and 11 %. The addition of Ni to the Al-SBA-15 support caused a decrease of the BET surface area and pore volume. Additionally, larger Ni particles were attained over the catalysts with higher Si/Al atomic ratios, indicating the existence of some interaction between aluminium species and nickel particles. Ni/Al-SBA-15 catalysts displayed remarkable properties for the preparation of diesel fuels in the hydroreforming of the oils obtained from the LDPE thermal cracking. On increasing the Si/Al atomic ratios of the Ni/Al-SBA-15 catalysts, higher share of light and heavy diesel were attained, the sum reaching a maximum (67.3 %) for Ni/Al-SBA-15(70). This was caused by the higher extent of oligomerization reactions on enhancing the Si/Al atomic ratio. Additionally, around 85–90 % of the starting olefins were successfully hydrogenated and the aromatic content was rather low (below 5 %), without almost any polyaromatic compound (<0.1 %).

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Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project TRACE TRA2009-0111) for the financial support to this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Environmental Technology, ESCET Rey Juan Carlos University, c/Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

    J. M. Escola & A. Alba

  2. Department of Chemical and Energy Technology, ESCET Rey Juan Carlos University, c/Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

    D. P. Serrano & M. Arroyo

  3. IMDEA Energy Institute, c/Ramón de La Sagra 3, 28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

    D. P. Serrano

Authors
  1. J. M. Escola
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  2. D. P. Serrano
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  3. M. Arroyo
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  4. A. Alba
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Correspondence to J. M. Escola.

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Escola, J.M., Serrano, D.P., Arroyo, M. et al. Conversion of LDPE into transportation fuels by a two-stage process using Ni/Al-SBA-15 as catalyst. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 16, 435–441 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-014-0249-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-014-0249-7

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