Pyrolysis Much Needed Conversion of Waste Plastic into Fuel Oil Technology

Worldwide, the statistics are staggering and the prognosis is alarming. From the oceans to the land, mankind is experiencing a tidal wave of rubber, tyre and plastic waste.

Oceanographers have estimated that over 100,000 sea creatures die from entanglement with plastic or rubber products every year. A walk along many of the coastal beaches reveal that the earth is gradually drowning under plastic waste. In fact, it is estimated by a United Nations Group, Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP), that 80 percent of marine pollution is generated from land and finds its way to the oceans and seas with plastic and rubber waste products accounting for up to 95 percent of this pollution.

Obviously, people cannot be stopped from consuming these products. A part of the solution therefore is conversion of waste plastic to oil technology through a process called pyrolysis (proceso pirolisis). Such technology guarantees that harmful waste is used to generate much needed environment friendly fuel.

Plastic To Fuel Conversion Plant
Plastic To Fuel Conversion Plant

What Is Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is the process of heating of an organic material in the absence of oxygen. The lack of oxygen prevents combustion rather, the chemical compounds in the material thermally decompose to release combustible gas and charcoal. The gas and charcoal derived is then harnessed and used in different applications.

Pyrolysis Machine and Process

The process takes place in controlled industrial environments using a pyrolysis machine. The pyrolysis machine is the top choice and best technology for recycling plastic into oil. Temperatures go as high as 700℃ during the process so safety is a major consideration. At the core, or what can be called the “heart” of the pyrolysis machine is the reactor and the cooling system. Other parts of the machine include oil-water separator, a light oil tank, safety devices, catalytic chamber and chimney.

The reactor is particularly important as it determines the service life and safety of the machine. It’s constructed from welded steel plate, the better the quality of welding, the better the final product: https://www.bestongroup.es/la-instalacion-de-pirolisis-de-plasticos/.

continuous waste plastic recycling pyrolysis system
continuous waste plastic recycling pyrolysis system

As mentioned earlier, the organic material (in this case rubber, plastic and tyre), is thermally decomposed to release gas and charcoal. The gas is then condensed into a liquid, called pyrolysis oil. This oil from plastic waste is a bio-oil and is combustible. In all, 3 products are created liquid bio-oil, bio charcoal and gas in various proportions depending on the process parameters.

The higher the temperature the more bio-oil likely to be released, this kind of pyrolysis is called fast pyrolysis. Lower temperatures (slow pyrolysis) produce more of charcoal.

Applications and Advantages

– Plastic waste disposal. Diesel is a major component of the manufacturing process worldwide but a major contributor to air pollution. Anhydrous pyrolysis produces a bio-fuel very similar in constitution and application to diesel. An added advantage is the lower sulfur content as compared to traditional diesel.

– Pyrolysis is now the second best option to traditional recycling. With continuous innovations and advancement in technology it may soon overtake recycling of plastic all together.

– Converting waste plastic to bio fuel is a better option and more environmentally friendly than landfills.

– It reduces dependency and demand for fossil fuels and some of the disastrous impacts of accidents and spills during the extraction of these fossil fuels.

– Bio-fuel derived from pyrolysis may soon be used to power aircraft.

– Tire disposal. Every year, over 290 million car tyres are discarded in the United States alone. Much of this tyres end up in the oceans and seas, as landfill or exported to countries where it is very poorly disposed of. Pyrolysis harnesses the high energy content in these tyres producing more energy than burning coal for example.


Apart from the bio fuel derived in the pyrolysis process (Planta de Pirólisis de Caucho), the bio-charcoal is useful on farms to enhance soil quality. The potentials of pyrolysis are not to be overlooked as it remains a very valuable method for not only disposing waste plastic but gives a useable and sustainable source of bio fuel energy in exchange.If you still have doubt.