Microwave-metal interaction pyrolysis of polystyrene

A novel method for the pyrolysis of waste polystyrene was investigated which was based on high temperature by microwave-metal interaction. This interaction may also catalyze the pyrolysis process and affect the nature of products. Polystyrene was rapidly pyrolyzed under microwave while placing in a batch type reactor containing a cylindrical mesh of iron. The iron mesh generates heat in the range of 1100-1200 degrees C which converts polystyrene into 80% liquid, 15% gas and 5% char residue. The liquid product was collected using cold traps and the amount of gas was obtained by taking difference. The liquid product was analyzed using GC/MS and found that it contains styrene in addition to polycyclic aromatics and condensed ring aromatic compounds. The products formation is also discussed. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.