CHEMICAL RECYCLING OF MIXED PLASTICS BY PYROLYSIS

Most plastics are produced from oil and have a high potential as hydrocarbon sources for the chemical industry. Pyrolysis is a practicable way to pyrolyze mixed plastics. The fluidized bed pyrolysis has turned out to be particularly advantageous. Twenty-five to 45% of product gas with a high heating value and 30-50% of an oil rich in aromatics could be recovered. The oil is comparable to that of a mixture of light benzene and bituminous coal tar. Up to 60% of ethene and propene are produced by using mixed polyolefins as feedstock. Under appropriate conditions the pyrolysis could be successful on the market. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.