Product distribution of pyrolysis of polystyrene foam waste using catalyst of natural zeolite and nickel/silica

Polystyrene, especially polystyrene foam product, has been widely utilized in daily life that lead to generate polystyrene foam waste in the environment. The waste is very hard to degrade in the nature. The aims of this study are to investigate pyrolysis for polystyrene foam waste that can produce liquid products for fuel. The study comprises characterization of polystyrene foam and pyrolysis process with and without catalyst (zeolite and nickel/silica). The decomposition of polystyrene foam occurred at a temperature of 360-460 °C. Pyrolysis was carried out at the range of 360-460 °C based on the decomposition temperature. The yield of the liquid product increases with increasing temperature. Catalyst has boosted the increase of yield. The nickel/silica shows better performance than zeolite on boosting the yield of liquid product. The liquid product contains many aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, styrene and others