Kinetics of the Low Temperature Conversion of Polypropylene to Polypropylene Wax

The pyrolysis of polypropylene to polypropylene wax in a 1-L autoclave has been studied at low temperature. A four-lump kinetics model of pyrolysis of polypropylene to polypropylene wax, gaseous and liquid products is performed, and the kinetic parameters of the conversion of polypropylene into different products are determined. The total activation energy for the conversion of polypropylene was estimated to be 214 kJ mol(-1). The polypropylene wax obtained had a drop melting point of 121-150 degrees C, and the weight average molecular was 7,419 g/mol. Fourier transform infrared analysis of the polypropylene wax showed that it is less branched and that its olefinic content is higher than that of commercial wax