Method of Converting Thermoplastics to Short Chain Hydrocarbons

Abstract

A method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons is provided. Thermoplastic is heated such that it decomposes into a plurality of molecules. The plurality of molecules includes at least one olefin that has at least one terminal carbon-carbon double bond. Water, in the form of steam, is provided during the heating of the thermoplastic such that the oxygen atoms in the steam react with the plurality of molecules as the thermoplastic decomposes. The reaction with the steam consumes the at least one terminal carbon-carbon double bonds from the at least one olefin to create a hydrocarbon fuel and at least one byproduct. The hydrocarbon fuel is collected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons, comprising the steps of:
 heating a thermoplastic such that the thermoplastic decomposes into a plurality of molecules, the plurality of molecules including at least one olefin having at least one terminal carbon-carbon double bond;   providing water in the form of steam during the heating of the thermoplastic such that the oxygen atoms in the steam react with the plurality of molecules as the thermoplastic decomposes, the reaction with the water in the form of steam consumes the at least one terminal carbon-carbon double bonds from the at least one olefin to create a hydrocarbon fuel and at least one byproduct;   collecting the hydrocarbon fuel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is olefin free. 
     
     
         3 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  wherein the at least one byproduct includes hydrogen and carbon monoxide, the hydrogen and carbon monoxide being used as a process fuel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  wherein the at least one byproduct includes coke, a further step of treating the coke byproduct by steam reformation is completed to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. 
     
     
         5 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic contains a biomass, a further step of treating the biomass by steam reformation is completed to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. 
     
     
         6 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic contains at least one of polyethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene. 
     
     
         7 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic is heated to a temperature of 575 degrees Kelvin to 1000 degrees Kelvin. 
     
     
         8 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic is heated to a temperature of 900 degrees Kelvin to 1000 degrees Kelvin. 
     
     
         9 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  further comprising the step of holding at least one of the hydrocarbon fuel and the at least one byproduct at a temperature of 575 degrees Kelvin to 725 degrees Kelvin such that any of the at least one olefin present in the hydrocarbon fuel and the at least one byproduct forms into cyclic structures instead of terminal carbon-carbon double bonds. 
     
     
         10 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  further comprising the step of hydrogenating the hydrocarbon fuel to increase hydrogenation. 
     
     
         11 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  further comprising the step of removing excess hydrogen from at least one of the hydrocarbon fuel and the at least one byproduct. 
     
     
         12 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  wherein decomposing the thermoplastic and providing water in the form of steam occurs in an air free container. 
     
     
         13 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  wherein decomposing the thermoplastic and providing water in the form of steam occurs at atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         14 . The method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the at least one byproducts are passed through a scrubber.