Pyrolysis Oil from Scrap Tires as a Source of Fuel Components: Manufacturing, Fractionation, and Characterization

Abstract

One of the most efficient among the methods of managing waste tire rubber is the pyrolysis process which allows for obtaining pyrolysis oil. The as-received, raw tire pyrolysis oil (rTPO) is a complex mixture whose components exhibit a wide boiling temperature range, reflected in the physicochemical properties influencing injection, combustion, performance, and emission. The present contribution is aimed at producing TPO via steam-assisted pyrolysis followed by its fractionation by vacuum distillation. The resultant TPO fractions were analyzed in terms of composition as well as physicochemical parameters. The products are liquids with a relatively high density, poor volatility, and satisfactory low-temperature properties. They exhibit a mutually similar chemical composition reflected in a roughly the same Watson factor. The dominant components are cyclic and aromatic compounds, as was proven by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis and mid-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. Such a characteristic of the TPO fractions opens the way to utilize them either as additives to conventional automotive fuels or for heat and power generation. In particular, the two lightest fractions demonstrate high potential as fuel additives. Among the advantages of the fractionation of rTPO, one of the most important is the effect of the accumulation of sulfur-containing compounds in the highest boiling fractions, namely, vacuum fractionation allowed for reduction of the S content by 69.6 and 43.5 wt % (with regard to the rTPO) for the fractions boiling up to 180 and 180–250 °C, respectively. Thus, fractionation of pyrolysis oils could be used also as an ingenious and effective pretreatment method prior to exact desulfurization.

On Fractioning the Tire Pyrolysis Oil in a Pilot-Scale Distillation Plant under Industrially Relevant Conditions

“…Reports on the fractionation of TPO and acquisition of the mentioned chemicals (BTEX, limonene) are rather scarce in the literature. Most of the studies on distillation are found using lab-scale facilities operated at batch mode and aimed at producing fuel-like streams. ,, In addition, BTEX and limonene production are mainly focused via catalytic pyrolysis. − To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study showing the continuous fractioning of TPO in a pilot-scale distillation plant using a packed column. The goal of this work is not only to demonstrate the technical feasibility to recover valuable products from TPO by distillation but also to gather key information for future optimization steps, as well as for bringing the process at industrial scales.…”

Microbial Degradation of Rubber: Actinobacteria

“…Pyrolysis: Pyrolysis or thermal degradation (up to 800 °C) produces tyre-derived fuel known as tar pyrolysis oil (TPO) that has similar properties to diesel fuel. TPO can be used as heating, power generation, and automobile fuels, or in biorefineries [ 28 ]. The thermal degradation of tyres, however, requires a complex setup, high capital cost, skilled operators, and supplemental fuel to initiate and maintain the incineration process [ 29 ].…”

Review on Evolved Gas Analysis Mass Spectrometry with Soft Photoionization for the Chemical Description of Petroleum, Petroleum-Derived Materials, and Alternative Feedstocks

“…This waste made of natural and synthetic rubber, carbon black, textile material, steel, sulfur, and additives can be thermochemically converted (pyrolyzed), generating tire pyrolysis oils having a comparable calorific value to petroleum . Thermal degradation of waste tires leads to broad and complex chemical composition, dominated by hydrocarbons, classically requesting in-depth characterization. , Interestingly, also PAHs, from the cyclization and aromatization of the thermal degradation product butadiene, and amines as well as thiophenes, from additives and manufacturing accelerators, were found . Prospectively, studying the chemical composition of this alternative feedstock will be of high interest for evolved gas analysis soft photoionization mass spectrometry in the framework of a circular economy, particularly taking into account the vital field of co-pyrolysis together with other feedstocks, such polymers and biomass.…”

“…159,160 Interestingly, also PAHs, from the cyclization and aromatization of the thermal degradation product butadiene, and amines as well as thiophenes, from additives and manufacturing accelerators, were found. 161 Prospectively, studying the chemical composition of this alternative feedstock will be of high interest for evolved gas analysis soft photoionization mass spectrometry in the framework of a circular economy, particularly taking into account the vital field of co-pyrolysis together with other feedstocks, such polymers and biomass.…”