Browsing by Author "Akpan U. G."

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    Catalytic Degradation of Polyethylene to Gas Oil using Synthesized Clay Based Copper Modified Catalyst
    (Nigeria Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NJEAS), 2015-04) Babatunde, E. O.; David, I.; Olutoye, M. A.; Akpan U. G.; Eterigho Elizabeth Jumoke
    In this study local clay was pretreated, characterized, modified and used as catalyst for the degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The raw clay was thermally treated at 800 °C for 4 h in a furnace which was later modified by incorporating copper into it through impregnation method. The functionalities of the catalyst were determined based on their characterization. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope, X-Ray Florescence and surface area determination were done for both the raw clay and modified catalysts. Characterization of the catalysts revealed that the interaction between CuO/clay formed a synergetic mixed oxides and this is an important factor to its catalytic activity. The product obtained was analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and the product was mainly composed of hydrocarbons in the carbon range of C- C, which is the hydrocarbon range of gas oil (diesel) fraction. Also, the data obtained showed that at catalyst loading of 1.0 g, 5.0 g of polyethylene feedstock and reaction temperature of 250 °C, the yield of gas oil was 50.22%. The catalyst easily separates from the product mixture.