College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2025-04-26 11:47:34
Major
Chemical Engineering
Honors Course
CHEE 497-001
Number of Credits
3
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2025
Abstract
Catalytic hydrocracking was studied as a chemical recycling method for converting mixed plastic polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste into sustainable aviation fuel-range hydrocarbons. Addressing both plastic pollution and aviation-related CO₂ emissions, bifunctional Ni- and Pt-based catalysts supported on Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ were evaluated under 30 bar hydrogen pressure at 250 °C. The inclusion of PVC, often regarded as a catalyst poison due to chlorine content, was examined at 1 wt% and 5 wt% to assess catalyst tolerance to it and resulted performance. Reaction rates and product selectivity were analyzed using gas chromatography. Results show that Ni/TiO₂ outperformed other catalysts, maintaining high activity and achieving up to 38.4% selectivity toward the C8–C16 SAF range with 5 wt% PVC, likely due to the strong chlorine affinity of the TiO₂ support that mitigates catalyst deactivation and enhances acidity. In contrast, Al₂O₃-supported catalysts experienced rate decline, likely due to active-site poisoning by chlorine. The work demonstrates the feasibility of using mixed plastic feedstocks with PVC for SAF production, offering a dual solution to waste management and sustainable fuel synthesis.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Linxiao Chen
First Reader
Dr. Bi-min Zhang Newby
Second Reader
Dr. Roya Gitiafroz
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Bi-min Zhang Newby
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Recommended Citation
Culp, Kamryn, "Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production from Plastic Waste on Bifunctional Catalysts" (2025). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1940.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1940