Thermal processing of waste tires with heavy oil residue in the presence of Tayzhuzgen zeolite

Abstract

A thermal processing of waste tires in the presence of a natural zeolite catalyst from the “Tayzhuzgen” field (Eastern Kazakhstan) is detailed. The hydrogen sources utilized were heavy residues from oil refinement. The elemental and phase composition of the catalyst and its surface structure were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The waste tire sample was also studied by thermal gravimetric analysis. It was determined that the SiO2:Al2O3 ratio of 4.57:1 for the natural zeolite refers to clinoptilolite mineral. The use of the “Tayzhuzgen” zeolite in the thermal processing of waste tires has the following advantages, such as low process temperature, low amount of catalyst and high yield of liquid products compared to other published thermal catalytic methods. The composition of liquid products was found using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. It was concluded that the liquid product obtained by thermal catalytic processing of waste tires with heavy oil residue in the presence of the “Tayzhuzgen” zeolite, can be used not only as a fuel but also as a raw material for obtaining alkylbenzene compounds.