Reaction between carbonaceous materials containing HDPE and steel-making slag

Abstract

Since waste plastics have been applied extensively in many high temperature processes such as iron-and steel-making, coke-making and carbon nano-structure manufacturing etc, the investigation about the reactivity becomes increasingly necessary. In this study, a mixture of coke and a typical component of waste plastics, high density polyethylene (HDPE), at a ratio of 1:1 was oxidized in an atmosphere of low oxygen partial pressure of 10-1 Pa at 1823 K to evaluate the reactivity of HDPE. The oxidation mechanism of HDPE was analyzed using the monitored CO and CO2 contents in the off-gas by an infrared (IR) gas analyzer in combination with the oxidation results of graphite and coke. It is clear from the results that in the presence of HDPE, the Boudouard reaction can reach equilibrium more easily compared to coke and graphite.