What Are the Advantages of Waste Pyrolysis Plant？

Tire pyrolysis is an innovative and sustainable solution that treats end-of-life tires (ELTs) as a resource, not waste.

For more information, please visit our website.

Pyrolysis involves the thermal decomposition of tires in the absence of oxygen, where the vulcanising bonds between the polymers are broken down into valuable byproducts with little negative environmental impact. Since the number of ELTs discarded annually is over one billion and growing, this is a substantial source of feedstock that has the potential to replace fossil fuels in the manufacture of several products.

Tire pyrolysis is not new, but the technology has risen in prominence due to its potential to provide circular raw materials. However, safety concerns and other difficulties are associated with the pyrolysis process.

This article analyses the pros and cons of tire recycling pyrolysis and how Contec, an industry leader, has developed a clean and safe technology that meets all sustainability and safety standards.

What are the pros of tire pyrolysis?

Tire pyrolysis can potentially reduce emissions and increase energy availability and circularity due to some key advantages, as discussed below.

Pyrolysis as renewable fuel/energy

Tire pyrolysis oil (TPO) is the most abundant product of tire pyrolysis since 85 per cent of tire components are petroleum-based.

TPO&#;s properties are similar to some fossil fuels, making it a highly efficient and versatile energy source. After processing and treatment, TPO can be a sustainable option for partial replacement of fossil fuels in many applications:

• As fuel for motor vehicles, diesel burners, generators, engineering machinery, etc.
• As oil for power generation and heating
• Act as feedstock for the manufacture of medium to low reinforcing virgin Carbon Black
• After distillation, TPO can be used for the production of high-value chemicals.

Renewable TPO can reduce many industries&#; dependency on fossil fuels.

Storage convenience

One of the advantages of TPO is the convenience of storing, transporting, and pumping it. Since many forms of renewable energy are challenging to store, the storage convenience increases TPO&#;s market appeal. Moreover, distilled TPO can be used as fuel with existing machinery without any changes, enabling immediate applications.

Diesel

TPO&#;s 41&#;44&#;MJ/Kg calorific value is similar to diesel&#;s 45 MJ/Kg calorific value. After distillation and desulphurisation, TPO can be used in a TPO-diesel blend (10 per cent TPO and 90 per cent diesel).

Tire pyrolysis&#; byproducts result in sustainable options for the tire industry

In addition to fuels, the tire pyrolysis process generates valuable byproducts, including Recovered Carbon Black (rCB) and steel wire. The rCB is a viable option to replace medium-grade virgin Carbon Blacks from fossil fuels. rCB has proven applications as a circular raw material in many industries, including tires, paints, coatings, inks, and rubber manufacturing.

The recovered steel is recycled without losing quality and used to manufacture steel parts for tires and other industries. 

Tire pyrolysis can reduce emissions

A tire pyrolysis plant is the most environmentally responsible approach to waste tire management. Other methods of disposing of ELTs, such as incineration and landfilling, have high carbon emissions.   

Tire pyrolysis efficiently converts and recovers materials and energy in waste tires and creates few carbon emissions and pollutants. It produces a renewable syngas byproduct, which can heat the pyrolysis plants, further reducing the process&#;s carbon footprint.

What are the cons of tire pyrolysis?

Pyrolysis of ELTs into valuable products has disadvantages, including further product processing, safety considerations, pollution concerns, and operational expenses.

These drawbacks should be carefully assessed and managed when implementing a tire pyrolysis process.

No usage as engine fuel

TPO is a heavy, dark fluid whose hydrocarbon composition depends on the pyrolysis process, conditions, and feedstock. According to Han , at temperatures below 500°C, the TPO has more aliphatic hydrocarbons (isoprene and limonene) and fewer aromatic hydrocarbons. At temperatures over 500°C, the aromatic hydrocarbon content increases.

While TPO&#;s chemical composition is similar to crude oil, high levels of limonene and pollutants like sulphur make it unsuitable for engine fuel use. Heavy oil is only suitable for use as heating fuel. Therefore, TPO requires additional processing and distillation before it can be used as engine fuel.

Pollution

TPO produced from pyrolysis can include pollutants like nitrogen, sulphur compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Pyrolysis using higher temperatures creates more PAHs, which are known to be carcinogenic and mutagenic. Burning TPO can produce gaseous pollutants that are an environmental concern.

In large-scale use of TPO,  it&#;s necessary to have a flue gas purification system to remove these emissions, which can increase operational costs.

Tire pyrolysis can be expensive

The overall cost of a tire pyrolysis plant is directly linked to its efficiency and the technology required to comply with environmental and safety regulations. Higher-efficiency equipment tends to be more expensive. The initial capital cost of building pyrolysis plants can be high and run into millions of euros.

The fuel choice and the need for highly skilled personnel for plant operation will also add to the costs. However, the high value of pyrolytic products is expected to make pyrolysis feasible in the long term.

Safety concerns

Pyrolysis processes have historically suffered from safety issues. The risks associated with pyrolysis involve accidental combustion of organic material due to contact with oxygen or high temperature. Other issues are the need for precise process control, ensuring equipment integrity, and addressing inadequate safety measures to prevent explosions.

Considering the pros and cons of pyrolysis, it&#;s clear that its benefits outweigh the risks. It&#;s a proven technology expected to grow by diverting waste tires that are landfilled or incinerated.  

Tire pyrolysis at Contec

Contec&#;s pyrolysis process and technology have made it a leader in the industry for focusing on safety and sustainability.

Sihai Energy contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

The plant is checked regularly before starting each run and monitors the process constantly to ensure no pressure buildup could lead to an explosion. Contec&#;s Molten®, a molten salt and proprietary technology, has a high heat transfer exchange, so less energy is used. The molten salts are reusable, producing no pollutants when heated.

The design of modern waste tire pyrolysis plants results in reduced environmental impact, improved economic benefits, more safety for staff, and reduced energy costs. Companies like Contec are solving the growing waste tire problem and producing innovative recycled products without negative environmental or safety concerns.

Their innovations have adapted traditional pyrolysis technology to meet current environmental, sustainability, and ethical work standards while helping industries join the circular economy. Find out more about Contec&#;s circular TPO, ConPyro®.

If you liked reading this article, we recommend the following content:

Nowadays, pyrolysis technology is more and more widely used in the waste plastic management instead of landfill or recovery through granulation. Everything has two sides, and let's see what is the general advantage and disadvantage of this plastic pyrolysis oil technology in the following article.

Pyrolysis technology converting plastic to oil

Advantages of using pyrolysis technology to convert plastic to oil:

1. High efficiency

Pyrolysis technology is suitable for almost all kinds of waste plastic except PVC and PET, no matter if it is clean or unwashed and unsorted. For a batch waste plastic pyrolysis plant, there is even no need to do the shredding work. All the processes from plastic to fuel oil are carried out inside the waste pyrolysis reactor together with its accessory system, very convenient and man-power saving.

The process of plastic to oil conversion

2. Resource Recover

Pyrolysis plant allows for the recovery of valuable resources from plastic waste, such as fuel oil, carbon black, and combustible gas. This helps in reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and conserving natural resources.

(1)The obtained plastic oil is a good heating fuel for heavy industries, such as boiler heating factories, heavy oil power plants, steel factories, cement factories, glass factories, etc. And it can also be refined into diesel fuel for further uses.

Fuel oil extracted from waste plastic

(2)The carbon black can be briquetted by heating or refining for further uses. You can also sell it directly.
(3)Syn-gas can be directly used for heating waste plastic pyrolysis plant, saving machine operation cost.

3. High profit

(1)Economic benefits

Waste plastic such as PE(polyethylene), PP(polypropylene), PS(polystyrene) and ABS, etc. has higher oil yield above 50%, which means from the above 10ton waste plastic, you can extract at least 10tonx50%=5ton pyrolysis fuel oil. And the waste plastic is cheap and easy to collect. Some governments even publish policies and give subsidies for developing waste plastic recycling projects. It is a process to convert waste into new energy, so this project is absolutely profitable.

Plastic to fuel oil pyrolysis plant profit analysis

(2)Environmental benefits

Converting plastic waste into oil via pyrolysis plant can help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution associated with plastic waste. It provides an environmentally friendly method of waste management.

Disadvantage of using pyrolysis technology to convert plastic to oil:

1. High Initial Investment

Setting up a waste plastic to fuel oil pyrolysis plant requires a substantial initial investment. This includes the cost of acquiring land, machinery, obtaining licenses, and complying with safety and environmental regulations. It will take time, effort, and capital.

Pyrolysis plant setting up cost

2. Technical Complexity

Plastic to oil pyrolysis technology requires skilled personnel to operate and maintain the equipment. Technical expertise and intelligent monitoring are necessary to ensure efficient operation and optimum product quality.

From a comprehensive comparison, the advantages of using pyrolysis technology to convert plastic to oil outweigh the disadvantages. Plastic to oil pyrolysis technology is very good, but you need to be careful to choose the right pyrolysis plant supplier. High-quality suppliers can help your plastic pyrolysis project achieve twice the result with half the effort.

DOING waste plastic pyrolysis plant project cases

DOING environmentally friendly pyrolysis plants are recognized by lots of customers from home and broad, welcome to contact us for more details. And Henan Doing Company can offer all-procedures of technical support and pyrolysis plant machine selection&installation services, worker training services etc. to help you develop the plastic to oil pyrolysis plant project smoothly, maximizing the profits.

For more information, please visit Waste Pyrolysis Plant.