Which Solid Wastes Can Be Used for Pyrolysis Oil Refining?

Which Solid Wastes Can Be Used for Pyrolysis Oil Refining?

Common Solid Wastes Suitable for Pyrolysis Oil Refining

Pyrolysis oil refining technology mainly processes solid wastes containing high-molecular organic components, converting them into fuel oil, fuel gas, and other resources through high-temperature decomposition. Common applicable solid wastes are categorized as follows:

1. Rubber-Based Solid Wastes

Waste tires: The most mainstream raw material, containing natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and carbon black. Pyrolysis yields fuel oil, carbon black, and steel wire.

Waste rubber products: Including conveyor belts, hoses, shoe soles, and industrial rubber scraps.

2. Plastic-Based Solid Wastes

Polyolefin plastics: Such as polyethylene (PE, used in plastic bags, bottles) and polypropylene (PP, used in buckets, food containers), with high oil yield (40%–60%).

Polystyrene (PS): Such as foam plastics and disposable tableware, producing high-quality pyrolysis oil.

Mixed plastics: Various household plastic wastes, requiring sorting to remove chlorine-containing plastics (e.g., PVC) to avoid corrosive gas emissions.

3. Oil-Based Solid Wastes

Waste engine oil and oil sludge: Spent lubricating oil from auto repair shops and industrial equipment, plus oil-bearing sludge from oilfields and refineries.

Oil residues and coke: Heavy residues from refineries, such as bottom sludge and catalytic slurry.

4. Biomass-Based Solid Wastes

Waste oils: Catering waste oil (gutter oil) and industrial animal/vegetable oil residues, which can be pyrolyzed to produce biofuel oil.

Lignocellulosic waste: Such as wood chips and straw, requiring pretreatment to improve conversion efficiency, with relatively low oil yield.

5. Other Organic Solid Wastes

Waste cable sheaths: Plastic sheaths (excluding PVC), after removing metal cores.

Abandoned fishing nets: Mostly nylon-based, pyrolyzed into fuel oil and carbon black.

Key Precautions

Prohibited wastes: Materials containing chlorine (e.g., PVC), bromine, or heavy metals, which generate highly toxic substances like dioxins or contaminate oil products.

Pretreatment requirements: Raw materials must be sorted, crushed, and dried to remove impurities such as sediment and metal, improving pyrolysis efficiency and oil quality.

Compliance: Must meet local environmental regulations for solid waste disposal, with supporting environmental facilities (e.g., exhaust gas purification, wastewater treatment) to avoid secondary pollution.