Experimental pyrolysis of polyethylene in order to produce ethanol

Abstract

The goal of this thesis work was to build a system where it would be possible to convert polyethylene into alcohol (ethanol) by performing first pyrolysis (to crack down polyethylene into ethylene) and then force ethylene to hydrate in the presence of water, forming ethanol solution. After completing the experiment, received solids and liquid samples were tested using FTIR spectrometry. Unexpectedly, it was found out that the ethylene generated by pyrolysis did not react with water to produce measurable quantities of ethanol. On the contrary, it reacted with oxygen, forming oxidized ethylene, also known as polyethylene wax.