Pyrolysis of waste tyre for high-quality fuel products: A review

Abstract

Pyrolysis is a thermal conversion of materials at high temperatures in an inert atmosphere. Pyrolysis can be obtained through thermal or catalytic pathways. Thermal pyrolysis is known for its high operating temperature, reaction time, and low oil quality. To subdue these challenges associated with thermal pyrolysis, catalytic pyrolysis of the waste tyre has materialized with the use of a catalyst. Catalytic pyrolysis can convert 60–80% of the waste tyre into pyro-oil having close similarities with diesel fuel. Thus the produced pyro-oil is of better quality and could yield useful chemicals as feedstock in chemical processes and energy-related applications such as electricity generation, transport fuel, and heating source. Therefore, this review reports the advancement and limitations of catalytic pyrolysis of the waste tyre and its future perception when compared to thermal pyrolysis. Factors affecting pyrolysis, cons, and limitations of thermal pyrolysis were discussed. These limitations led to the discussion of catalytic pyrolysis, the effects of catalysts on the product yield, composition, and physical properties. Although the catalytic pyrolysis has advantages over thermal pyrolysis, it has few shortcomings which were presented. Some recommendations to address these shortcomings were also stated.

Keywords

• catalytic pyrolysis
• waste tyre
• pyro-oil
• thermal pyrolysis
• fuel production
• value-added products