Pyrolysis and Oxidation of Waste Tire Oil: Analysis of Evolved Gases

Valorization of waste such as waste tires offers a way to manage and reduce urban waste while deriving economic benefits. The rubber portion of waste tires has high potential to produce pyrolysis fuels that can be used for energy production or further upgraded for use as blend fuel with diesel. In the preset work, waste tire oil (WTO) was produced from the pyrolysis of waste tires in an electric heating furnace at 500-550 degrees C in the absence of oxygen. Pyrolysis (in nitrogen) and oxidation (in air) of the obtained WTO sample were then performed in a thermogravimetric (TG) furnace that was connected to a Fourier transform infrared cell where the evolved gases were analyzed. The WTO sample was heated up to 800 degrees C in the TG furnace where the temperature of the sample was ramped up at three heating rates, namely, 5, 10, and 20 degrees C/min. The TG mass loss and differential thermogravimetric mass loss plots were used to analyze the thermal degradation pathways. Kinetic analysis was performed using the distributed activation energy model to estimate the activation energies along the various stages of the reaction. The pollutant gases, namely, CO2, CO, NO, and H2O, formed during WTO oxidation were evaluated by means of the characteristic infrared absorbance. The functional groups evolved during pyrolysis, namely, alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, and carbonyl groups, were also analyzed. The obtained information can be used for the better design of gasifiers and combustors, to ensure the formation of high-value gaseous products while reducing the emissions. The utilization of waste tires by producing pyrolysis oils thus offers a way of tackling the menace of waste tires while acting as a potential energy source.

Automated summary

Valorization of waste tires offers economic benefits while managing and reducing urban waste. This study focused on the production of waste tire oil (WTO) through pyrolysis and oxidation experiments. The thermal degradation pathways and gas emissions were analyzed, providing valuable information for the design of gasifiers and combustors to produce high-value gaseous products and reduce emissions. The utilization of waste tires as a potential energy source can help address the issue of waste tires.