Gaseous products evolution during microwave pyrolysis of tire powders

Abstract

Microwave pyrolysis of tire powders were run in a laboratory scale microwave oven (2.45 GHz). A special attention was dedicated to the yields of gaseous products during the microwave pyrolysis at different powers (300, 500, and 700 W). Triple-channel refinery gas chromatograph was used to quickly detect the gas composition of tire pyrolysis and its evolution during the process. H2, CO, and CH4, up to 90% of the total volume of pyrolytic gases, were the most predominant gaseous products. As the pyrolysis proceeded, the composition exhibited a significantly changes, e.g., more H2 was produced and less CH4 was generated. As the power increased, the content of CH4+CO2 decreased, while the fractions of H2+CO rapidly increased at the intense stage of the microwave pyrolysis. The maximum yields of gaseous and liquid products and the maximum conversion of tires were obtained at 500 W.