US 11,987,673 B2
Method to convert waste plastics into value-added chemicals using microwave-assisted catalysis
Jianli Hu, Morgantown, WV (US); and Yuxin Wang, Morgantown, WV (US)
Assigned to West Virginia University Board of Governors on Behalf of West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (US)
Filed by West Virginia University Board of Governors on Behalf of West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (US)
Filed on May 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/307,683.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/021,318, filed on May 7, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0347960 A1, Nov. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. C08J 11/16 (2006.01); B01J 19/12 (2006.01); B01J 19/24 (2006.01); B01J 19/30 (2006.01); B01J 29/40 (2006.01); B01J 35/61 (2024.01); C07C 4/22 (2006.01)
CPC C08J 11/16 (2013.01) [B01J 19/12 (2013.01); B01J 19/2415 (2013.01); B01J 19/30 (2013.01); B01J 29/40 (2013.01); B01J 35/615 (2024.01); C07C 4/22 (2013.01); B01J 2219/0801 (2013.01); B01J 2219/0871 (2013.01); B01J 2219/0892 (2013.01); B01J 2219/3086 (2013.01); C07C 2521/12 (2013.01); C07C 2529/40 (2013.01); C08J 2323/06 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for converting a waste plastic to a value-added product, the method comprising:
(a) providing a waste plastic to a reactor;
(b) contacting the waste plastic with a catalyst to form a reaction mixture; and
(c) applying microwave radiation to the reaction mixture;
thereby forming a value-added product;
wherein the catalyst comprises rare-earth metal oxide catalyst;
wherein the rare-earth metal oxide catalyst comprises a catalyst metal comprising at least one metal selected from Groups 6-12 and a catalyst support selected from CeO2, La2O3, and combinations thereof;
wherein the microwave irradiation induces bulk temperatures in the reaction mixture of from about 180° C. to about 400° C.;
wherein the value-added product comprises hydrogen and at least one hydrocarbon selected from benzene, toluene, xylenes, ethylene, propylene, butene, and methane; and
wherein the value-added product comprises from about 10 mol % to about 70 mol % hydrogen.