(375f) Multi-Product Reactor to Pyrolysis of Solid Wastes

The production of large quantities of industrial solid wastes is a serious environmental, social and economic problem. In this work, a case study of recycling of polymeric wastes through pyrolysis is carried out. Pyrolysis can be generically defined as thermal degradation in the absence of or with a minimum amount of oxygen, with a simultaneous production of oils and gases that can be used by the chemical industry and for the production of energy. The wastes used were originated from companies of the South of Brazil and are considered critical regarding their generated volume and harmfulness degree and are the following: Polypropylene and paint sludge waste. It was designed and realized a pilot plant of multi-product pyrolysis. A stainless steel reactor with a capacity of 100Kg/batch of fed waste was used and continuously operated by means of a mechanical feeder with controlled speed. Following the reactor, a flash separator partially condensed and separated liquid and gas products. The temperature was monitored on-line by a data acquisition system and PID controller, which adjusted the flow of gas fuel. An important task of this process is to utilize efficiently the heat value of the products of pyrolysis, by burning the combustible part of the waste as well as burning an auxiliary fuel in the case of processing low heat value waste, and this way partially compensate for the costs of wastes thermal treatment.