Effect of calcination method on the product distribution from catalytic degradation of polystyrene in the presence of 1% Pd/Al2O3 catalysts

Incipient wetness impregnation method was used to prepare 1% Pd/Al2O3 catalyst which was calcined at 500 oC for 16 hr as well as in a domestic microwave at 650W for 5 and 10 min. These catalysts were tested in the catalytic degradation of polystyrene (PS) into liquid fuels at catalyst to PS ratio of 0.2 (w/w). The organic liquid product (OLP) collected was analysed using Gas Chromatography (GC). Results show that the conventional calcined catalyst gives petrol as the main product while kerosene was the main product for the microwave calcined catalysts.