A process for production of useful hydrocarbon materials from plastic waste and reaction system therefor is provided. The process includes frequentatively thermolyzing of high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as plastic waste to produce useful medium molecular weight hydrocarbons and low molecular weight hydrocarbons. The process utilizes low molecular weight hydrocarbons as solution reactants which helps in reducing the viscosity of the material for more effective heat transfer. The process also includes addition of one or more low molecular weight olefins and solution reactants to high molecular weight hydrocarbons to augment the free radical environment. The process also includes hydrogenating and oxidizing the high molecular weight hydrocarbons. The process enables production of the useful, predominantly hydrocarbon materials such as waxes, lube oil base-stocks, refinery feedstocks, intermediates or fuel additives. The present invention also provides a reaction system comprising thermolysis reactor including a primary zone and an optional secondary zone for production of useful hydrocarbon materials from plastic waste.

There is described a microwave pyrolysis process for the depolymerization of plastic for the production of monomers, waxes and heavy oils including the steps of: a) steam purge of the plastic from about 0.5% to about 50% w/w of a catalyst, in a media; b) pyrolysis of the plastic and the catalyst in the media with a microwave (MW) for a time sufficient to allow generation of heat providing a thermal treatment between 300° C. and 650° C. through absorption of microwaves by the catalyst and the media. The catalyst includes a compound having a high dielectric loss at the frequency of the MW to absorb microwaves, transfer heat to the plastic and initiate a pyrolysis reaction.

There is described a microwave pyrolysis process for the depolymerization of plastic for the production of monomers, waxes and heavy oils including the steps of: a) steam purge of the plastic from about 0.5% to about 50% w/w of a catalyst, in a media; b) pyrolysis of the plastic and the catalyst in the media with a microwave (MW) for a time sufficient to allow generation of heat providing a thermal treatment between 300° C. and 650° C. through absorption of microwaves by the catalyst and the media. The catalyst includes a compound having a high dielectric loss at the frequency of the MW to absorb microwaves, transfer heat to the plastic and initiate a pyrolysis reaction.

A fuel production system includes a first modular unit and a second modular unit. The first modular unit includes a first housing, a process vessel, an agitator rotor assembly, a first drivetrain, an extrusion screw, a second drivetrain, a first separation vessel, and a product shaping system. The second modular unit includes a second housing, a thermal fluid heater system, a condenser, a second separation vessel, and a vacuum pump. The second modular unit is configured to be coupled to the first modular unit. At least a portion of each of the process vessel, the agitator rotor assembly, the first drivetrain, the extrusion screw, the second drivetrain, the first separation vessel, and the product shaping system are contained in the first housing. At least a portion of each of the thermal fluid heater system, the condenser, the second separation vessel, and the vacuum pump are contained in the second housing.

Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil and optionally wax comprising a naphtha/diesel and heavy fraction, and char. The pyrolysis oil and wax is passed to a refinery FCC unit from which a liquid petroleum gas C.sub.3-C.sub.5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered. The liquid petroleum gas C.sub.3-C.sub.5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is passed to a refinery alkylation unit, with a propane and butane fraction recovered from the alkylation unit. The propane and butane fraction is then passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. In another embodiment, a naphtha fraction (C.sub.5-C.sub.8) is recovered from the alkylation unit and passed to the steam cracker. In another embodiment, a propane/propylene fraction (C.sub.3-C.sub.3.sup.=) is recovered from the FCC and passed to the steam cracker.

Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil and optionally wax comprising a naphtha/diesel and heavy fraction, and char. The pyrolysis oil and wax is passed to a refinery FCC unit from which a liquid petroleum gas C.sub.3-C.sub.5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered. The liquid petroleum gas C.sub.3-C.sub.5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is passed to a refinery alkylation unit, with a propane and butane fraction recovered from the alkylation unit. The propane and butane fraction is then passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. In another embodiment, a naphtha fraction (C.sub.5-C.sub.8) is recovered from the alkylation unit and passed to the steam cracker. In another embodiment, a propane/propylene fraction (C.sub.3-C.sub.3.sup.=) is recovered from the FCC and passed to the steam cracker.

Provided is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization or for normal alpha olefins. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene and then passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a crude unit in a refinery from which is recovered a straight run naphtha fraction (C.sub.5-C.sub.8) or a propane/butane (C.sub.3-C.sub.4) fraction. The straight run naphtha fraction, or propane and butane (C.sub.3-C.sub.4) fraction, is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. The ethylene is converted to normal alpha olefin and/or polyethylene. Also, a heavy fraction from the pyrolysis reactor can be combined with a heavy fraction of normal alpha olefin stream recovered from the steam cracker. The combined heavy fraction and heavy fraction of normal alpha olefin stream can be passed to a wax hydrogenation zone to produce wax.

Provided is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization or for normal alpha olefins. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene and then passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a crude unit in a refinery from which is recovered a straight run naphtha fraction (C.sub.5-C.sub.8) or a propane/butane (C.sub.3-C.sub.4) fraction. The straight run naphtha fraction, or propane and butane (C.sub.3-C.sub.4) fraction, is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. The ethylene is converted to normal alpha olefin and/or polyethylene. Also, a heavy fraction from the pyrolysis reactor can be combined with a heavy fraction of normal alpha olefin stream recovered from the steam cracker. The combined heavy fraction and heavy fraction of normal alpha olefin stream can be passed to a wax hydrogenation zone to produce wax.

A continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polypropylene polymerization is provided. The process integrates refinery operations to provide an effective and efficient recycle process. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and polypropylene and then passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a refinery FCC unit, from which is recovered a liquid petroleum gas C.sub.3 olefin/paraffin mixture. The C.sub.3 paraffins and C.sub.3 olefins are separated into different fractions with a propane/propylene splitter. The C.sub.3 olefin fraction is passed to a propylene polymerization reactor. The C.sub.3 paraffin fraction is optionally passed to a dehydrogenation unit to produce additional propylene and then the resulting C.sub.3 olefin is passed to a propylene polymerization reactor. The heavy fraction of pyrolyzed oil is passed to an isomerization dewaxing unit to produce a lubricating base oil.

A continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polypropylene polymerization is provided. The process integrates refinery operations to provide an effective and efficient recycle process. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and polypropylene and then passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a naphtha/diesel fraction, a heavy fraction, and char. The naphtha/diesel fraction is passed to a refinery FCC unit, from which is recovered a liquid petroleum gas C.sub.3 olefin/paraffin mixture. The C.sub.3 paraffins and C.sub.3 olefins are separated into different fractions with a propane/propylene splitter. The C.sub.3 olefin fraction is passed to a propylene polymerization reactor. The C.sub.3 paraffin fraction is optionally passed to a dehydrogenation unit to produce additional propylene and then the resulting C.sub.3 olefin is passed to a propylene polymerization reactor. The heavy fraction of pyrolyzed oil is passed to an isomerization dewaxing unit to produce a lubricating base oil.