Study on the composition of gasoline fractions obtained as a result of waste tires pyrolysis and production bitumen modifiers from it

Abstract

Waste tires pose a significant threat to the environment. On the other hand, they are a potential raw material for energy production. Pyrolysis is one of the most promising methods for utilizing waste tires in a circular economy. The aim of the research was to study in detail the composition of gasoline fractions obtained during waste tires pyrolysis, and to search for effective methods of their application/processing without the use of catalysts and scarce hydrogen. Pyrolysis of waste tires was carried out on a pilot-scale industrial unit with a productivity of up to 15 tons/day of raw material. The liquid pyrolysis products were separated into several fractions: boiling below 140 0C, boiling at the range of 140–200 0C and fraction boiling above 200 0C. The residual fraction, based on its performance indicators, can be used as a component in fuel oils. The gasoline fractions (<140 0C and 140–200 0C) cannot be used as components in commercial fuels due to their high content of unsaturated and aromatic compounds. The obtained components of the gasoline fractions were analyzed with the usage of infrared spectroscopy and/or chromatography. Modifiers were synthesized from the gasoline fractions to improve the adhesive properties of bitumen. It was found that the resulting products (residue after obtaining bitumen modifiers) contain lower amounts of aromatic and unsaturated compounds compared to the initial gasoline fractions. This will allow reducing the content of these harmful components in the further use of gasoline fractions. Addition of the received modifiers to road bitumen brand BND 70/100 in the amount of 1% wt. Makes it possible to obtain bitumen with improved adhesive properties of the BNDA 60/90 brand.