Can Diesel Be Refined from Used Tires?

Can Diesel Be Refined from Used Tires?

Yes, diesel can be obtained from used tires, but it is not a direct output and requires multiple processing steps. Here is the core information:

1. Technical Principle and Process

Step 1: Pyrolysis

Used tires undergo catalytic pyrolysis in an oxygen-free, high-temperature (400–600°C) environment. Macromolecules such as rubber break their bonds to form a mixture of small-molecule hydrocarbons, producing "tire oil" (also called pyrolysis oil or crude oil).

Step 2: Refining Processing

The tire oil must be further refined through processes like catalytic distillation or acid-base washing to remove impurities such as sulfur and nitrogen, resulting in non-standard diesel.

2. Oil Characteristics and Applications

The refined diesel is non-standard diesel, with quality lower than national standard vehicle diesel and higher sulfur and nitrogen content.

It is mainly suitable for scenarios with lower fuel quality requirements, such as agricultural machinery, industrial boilers, and marine fuel, and cannot be directly used in ordinary passenger vehicles.

3. Industry Status and Compliance

The formal pyrolysis + refining process has been industrialized, and professional equipment manufacturers in China provide complete sets of solutions.

Crude oil refining using primitive methods is explicitly prohibited by the state due to severe pollution and high safety risks. Only enterprises with environmental protection qualifications and compliant equipment can legally produce it.