Detoxification of brominated pyrolysis oils

The development of an innovative technology for the pyrolytic conversion of brominated phenols in a reductive medium aimed at product recovery for commercial use is discussed in this paper. Brominated phenols are toxic products, which contaminate pyrolysis oil of wastes from electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE). The pyrolysis experiments were carried out with 2,6-dibromophenol, tetrabromobisphenol A, WEEE pyrolysis oil and polypropylene or polyethylene in encapsulated ampoules under inert atmosphere in quasi-isothermal conditions (300-400degreesC) with a different residence time (10-30 min). Optimal conditions were found to be the use of polypropylene at 350degreesC with a residence time of 20 min. The main pyrolysis products were identified as HBr and phenol. A radical debromination mechanism for the pyrolytic destruction of brominated phenols is suggested. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.