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Enhanced waste tyre pyrolysis for the production of hydrocarbons and petrochemicals
Author(s)
Strydom, Riki
Date Issued
2017
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
Energy security, environmental and economic issues have spurred the interest in
pyrolysis of scrap tyres for the production of fuels and energy in South Africa. However,
the application of the process on a commercial scale is being hampered by the high cost
required to upgrade the comparatively low quality pyrolytic products as well as the high
energy input. Further insights into the mechanisms of thermal degradation of rubber will
assist to improve on the process economics for production of liquid hydrocarbons fractions
suitable for use as transportation fuels and chemicals. This study developed a correlation
to predict the contents of waste tyres that will be converted into hydrocarbons during
pyrolysis from the proximate analysis data. The mechanism/kinetics of thermal
degradation behaviour of waste tyres is also studied, in order to locate the optimal
temperature that will maximize the yield of liquid hydrocarbons and other recoverable
materials.
Data from thermogravimetric analysis is used to determine the kinetic constants for the
pyrolysis reaction over a temperature range of 500 °C - 750 °C. A relationship between
the optimal temperatures and the volatile mater content depending on the desired
products was obtained. This is necessary to eliminate thermal cracking of the pyrolytic oil
into the non-condensable gas that will result from excessive temperature and the
associated energy cost. Relationship to determine the kinetic equation constants is
presented as a function of the volatile matter content. An inductor furnace batch reactor
system is used to carried out the pyrolysis reaction, using Argon as the inert gas to provide
the oxygen free environment required. The products are sent through a 2-stage
condensers, the first operated at room temperature to collect the pyrolytic oil, and the
second maintained at -5 oC to collect the condensable pyrolytic gases.
pyrolysis of scrap tyres for the production of fuels and energy in South Africa. However,
the application of the process on a commercial scale is being hampered by the high cost
required to upgrade the comparatively low quality pyrolytic products as well as the high
energy input. Further insights into the mechanisms of thermal degradation of rubber will
assist to improve on the process economics for production of liquid hydrocarbons fractions
suitable for use as transportation fuels and chemicals. This study developed a correlation
to predict the contents of waste tyres that will be converted into hydrocarbons during
pyrolysis from the proximate analysis data. The mechanism/kinetics of thermal
degradation behaviour of waste tyres is also studied, in order to locate the optimal
temperature that will maximize the yield of liquid hydrocarbons and other recoverable
materials.
Data from thermogravimetric analysis is used to determine the kinetic constants for the
pyrolysis reaction over a temperature range of 500 °C - 750 °C. A relationship between
the optimal temperatures and the volatile mater content depending on the desired
products was obtained. This is necessary to eliminate thermal cracking of the pyrolytic oil
into the non-condensable gas that will result from excessive temperature and the
associated energy cost. Relationship to determine the kinetic equation constants is
presented as a function of the volatile matter content. An inductor furnace batch reactor
system is used to carried out the pyrolysis reaction, using Argon as the inert gas to provide
the oxygen free environment required. The products are sent through a 2-stage
condensers, the first operated at room temperature to collect the pyrolytic oil, and the
second maintained at -5 oC to collect the condensable pyrolytic gases.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.
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208200835-Strydom-Riki-M.Eng-Chemical-Engineering-Eng-2017.pdf
Description
Thesis
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