2024 AIChE Annual Meeting
(505e) Catalytic Deconstruction of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer and Polyethylene Mixtures
Authors
Pedro Moura - Presenter, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Pavel Kots, University of Delaware
Brandon Vance, University of Delaware
Zoe Schyns, University of Delaware
Zachary Hinton, Drexel University
Caitlin Quinn, University of Delaware
Thomas H. Epps, III, University of Delaware
LaShanda Korley, University of Delaware
Dionisios Vlachos, University of Delaware - Catalysis Center For Ener
We explore hydrogenolysis over ruthenium supported on zirconia (Ru/ZrO2) and hydrocracking over platinum (Pt) supported on zeolites as an effective end-of-life strategy for ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)—a widely used performance heat-sealant in hard-to-recycle multilayer packaging. For Ru/ZrO2 hydrogenolysis, EVA reacts slower than low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and the catalyst deactivates due to carbonaceous deposits originating from polyenes generated in-situ during EVA thermal degradation. High temperatures can overcome catalyst deactivation; however, CH4 yields are excessive. Hydrogenolysis of mixed EVA and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), mirroring typical frozen food packaging formulations, results in comparable catalyst activity and CH4 yield as the pure EVA resin. These findings showcase the inability of common hydrogenolysis catalysts to handle EVA and its associated mixtures