Removal of organic chlorine compounds by catalytic dehydrochlorination for the refinement of municipal waste plastic derived oil

Municipal waste plastic derived oil was prepared by thermal degradation of municipal waste plastics at 410 degreesC. During the degradation of these waste plastics containing polyvinyl chloride, organic chlorine compounds were produced in the oil. The chloroorganic compounds were dehydrochlorinated by using various catalysts such as iron oxide, iron oxide-carbon composite, ZnO, MgO and Redmud. The catalysts were characterized by N-2 adsorption and X-ray diffraction. The iron oxide catalysts were effective in removing the chloroorganic compounds. MgO and ZnO catalysts were deactivated during the reaction by HCl, which is produced by the dehydrochlorination of chloroorganic compounds. Iron oxide and its carbon composite were found to be stable in the dehydrochlorination of municipal waste plastic derived oil. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.