Designing a hybrid activated carbon–kaolin catalyst for enhanced liquid fuel production from mixed plastic waste pyrolysis
Keywords:
Hybrid catalyst, Plastic waste pyrolysis, Activated carbon, Kaolin clay, Liquid fuel productionAbstract
The catalytic pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste has gained increasing attention as a promising pathway for liquid fuel production; however, the heterogeneous nature of municipal plastic feedstocks poses persistent challenges in achieving consistent yields and fuel quality. Recent studies indicate that single-function catalysts often struggle to simultaneously address adsorption, cracking, and upgrading requirements during pyrolysis. In response to this limitation, this paper presents a conceptual design framework for a hybrid activated carbon–kaolin catalyst intended to enhance diesel-range (C₁₃–C₂₀) liquid fuel production from mixed plastic waste pyrolysis. Drawing exclusively from recent, reputable literature, the study synthesizes current knowledge on polymer degradation mechanisms, carbon-based adsorption behavior, and clay-derived acidic catalytic functions to rationalize the proposed hybrid approach. Activated carbon is identified as an effective adsorption and secondary cracking medium, while kaolin offers thermally stable acidity capable of promoting hydrocarbon transformation. The integration of these complementary properties is conceptually expected to improve vapor–catalyst interactions and steer product distribution toward more fuel-relevant liquid fractions. Rather than reporting experimental results, this work focuses on design rationale, potential catalyst configurations, and anticipated synergistic effects under pyrolysis-relevant conditions. By explicitly addressing the lack of integrated hybrid catalyst frameworks for mixed plastic feedstocks, this study establishes a foundation for future experimental validation and supports the development of more controlled and scalable plastic waste-to-fuel conversion strategies.
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