Can Plastics and Waste Tires Be Pyrolyzed Simultaneously?

With the growing focus on environmental recycling, many companies are exploring ways to repurpose waste plastics and used tires. Pyrolysis offers a solution, transforming these materials into valuable products.

This raises a question: can plastics and tires be processed together in the same pyrolysis unit?

Can Plastics and Tires Be Pyrolyzed Together?

Co-pyrolysis is a possibility, provided that the pyrolysis equipment and process are compatible with both types of feedstock.

Waste tires consist primarily of rubber, carbon black, and steel wire, whereas there is a wide variety of plastics, each with distinct pyrolysis characteristics.

• Waste tires: Pyrolysis yields pyrolysis oil, solid carbonaceous products, steel wire, and combustible gases.
• Waste plastics: Plastics such as PE, PP, and PS can be converted into products like oil and gas, depending on the specific process employed.
• Mixed feedstock: While the feasibility of co-processing can be evaluated, one cannot simply assume that mixing these materials will automatically yield the desired results.

What Should Be Considered for Co-Pyrolysis?

If you intend to process both plastics and tires in the same pyrolysis equipment, there are several issues that need to be considered in advance.

💡First: Plastic Material Type

For PE, PP, and PS, you can first evaluate whether they are suitable for co-pyrolysis.

PVC, however, requires extra caution; its pyrolysis can generate chlorine-containing compounds, which may corrode equipment and complicate the treatment of off-gases.

💡Second: Feedstock Ratio

The mixing ratio of plastic and tires affects the composition of the products; it is recommended to conduct tests first before determining an appropriate ratio.

💡Third: Equipment Compatibility

Plastics soften or even melt when heated, whereas the decomposition process for tires is different; therefore, the equipment must be capable of handling the feeding, heat transfer, and discharge of mixed raw materials.

💡Fourth: Environmental Protection and Safety

The pyrolysis process requires appropriate systems for condensation, off-gas treatment, and safety control; one should not focus solely on oil yield.

Co-Pyrolysis vs. Separate Pyrolysis: Which Is Better?

If the client has a stable source of raw materials and the mixing process has been validated, co-pyrolysis (mixed pyrolysis) can be considered.

However, if the plastic waste is highly heterogeneous, or if there are specific quality requirements for the pyrolysis oil, processing the materials separately generally allows for better control.

How to Choose the Right Pyrolysis Solution?

💡Before purchasing equipment, it is advisable to clarify a few key points:

• What is the specific type of plastic—PE, PP, PS, or a mixture of waste plastics?
• What is the daily tonnage of plastic and waste tires to be processed?
• Do you intend to feed both types of raw materials into the system simultaneously, or would you prefer to process them in separate batches using the same equipment?
• What is your primary priority: the yield of pyrolysis oil, the quality of the final products, or the overall investment cost?

Having this information will help determine whether a mixed-feed pyrolysis process is suitable for your specific project, rather than selecting equipment without a clear assessment.

Based on the specific types of raw materials and processing requirements, Gomine provides tailored recycling equipment and customized solutions, helping clients explore more suitable methods for the resource recovery and utilization of waste.