Pyrolysis of blends of coal and tyre wastes in a fixed bed reactor and a rotary oven

Abstract

The pyrolysis of blends of two wastes from scrap tyres with a coal of 36 wt.% db volatile matter content was carried out in two ovens of different configuration in order to compare the characteristics of the products obtained. The rotary oven was expected to improve the blending of the raw materials and to promote a synergistic effect. Mass balances were performed with gas and oil yields showing the greatest differences. The chars obtained were studied on the basis of their true and apparent densities, Hg porosimetry and by determining their surface area under N2 at 77 K and under CO2 at 273 K. The chars were also examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The oils were subjected to Fourier spectroscopy (FTIR). It was observed that the oils obtained in the rotary oven were more aromatic and contained smaller amounts of oxygenated functional groups due to their higher residence time in the hot zone of the reactor.