Determination of the composition and properties of liquid products of high-pressure polyethylene pyrolysis before and after hydrogenation on an alumina-platinum catalyst

Authors

  • Andrew I. Usevich Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus
  • Mikhail F. Zayats Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Sergey M. Leschev Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Kiryl I. Trusau Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus
  • Katsiaryna M. Asipionak Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus
  • Ruslan A. Yurchenko Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Vladislav R. Yurchenko Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

Keywords:

gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, polyethylene pyrolysate, hydrogenation, additives to petroleum products
Supporting Agencies
This work was carried out with the financial support of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus within the framework of the state programme of scientific research «Energy and nuclear processes and technologies» for 2021–2025 (subprogramme «Energy processes and technologies», assignment 2.5 «Development of effective thermal methods for the utilization of organopolymer and agricultural waste»).

Abstract

The compositions of liquid products of high-pressure polyethylene pyrolysis before and after hydrogenation on an alumina-platinum catalyst were determined using gas chromatography with flame ionisation and mass spectrometric detection, as well as approved chemical methods used for these purposes. It was established that the initial pyrolysate consists mainly of a mixture of alkanes and alkenes with an alkene content of about 40 wt. %. Saturated open-chain hydrocarbons in the polyethylene pyrolysis products have predominantly unbranched and weakly branched structures. Olefinic hyd­ro­car­bons of the pyrolysate are represented mainly by linear alpha-alkenes with an admixture of beta- and gamma-isomers, as well as monomethyl-substituted structures. The total content of normal alkanes and alkenes in the pyrolysate is approximately 65 wt. %. The average number of carbon atoms in these structures is 13–14. Minor components identified included highly branched alkanes, cyclohexane, cyclopentane and cyclohexane homologues, alkylcyclohexenes, diene hydrocarbons, and trace amounts of alcohols and carbonyl compounds, which could have formed as a result of the oxidative degradation of polyethylene. During the hydrogenation of the pyrolysed product, the alkene content decreased and did not exceed 10 wt. %. The main components of the hydrogenated pyrolysed product were linear alkanes, characterised by the highest cetane numbers. This suggests that it could be used as a diesel fuel additive. Thus, polyethylene pyrolysed pro­duct is a valuable hydrocarbon feedstock, and the recycling of repeatedly recycled polyethylene by pyrolysis may be eco­no­mi­cal­ly feasible.

Author Biographies

  • Andrew I. Usevich, Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus

    PhD (chemistry), docent; associate professor at the department of oil and gas processing and petrochemistry, faculty of organic substances technology

  • Mikhail F. Zayats, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    doctor of science (chemistry), docent; head of the department of analytical chemistry, faculty of chemistry

  • Sergey M. Leschev, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    doctor of science (chemistry), full professor; professor at the department of analytical chemistry, faculty of chemistry

  • Kiryl I. Trusau, Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus

    assistant at the department of oil and gas pro­ces­sing and petrochemistry, faculty of organic substances technology

  • Katsiaryna M. Asipionak, Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus

    assistant at the department of oil and gas processing and petrochemistry, faculty of organic substances technology

  • Ruslan A. Yurchenko, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    senior lecturer at the department of analytical chemistry, faculty of chemistry

  • Vladislav R. Yurchenko, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    assistant at the department of analytical chemistry, faculty of chemistry

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Published

2026-08-10

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No. 1 (2026): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Chemistry

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Original Articles

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How to Cite

[1]
Usevich, A.I. et al. 2026. Determination of the composition and properties of liquid products of high-pressure polyethylene pyrolysis before and after hydrogenation on an alumina-platinum catalyst. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Chemistry. 1 (Aug. 2026), 3–13. DOI:https://doi.org/10.33581/2520-257X-2026-1-%p.