Assignment-2
Pyrolysis
Harikrishnan K V
Wednesday 13th December, 2023
1
Contents
1 Introduction 3
2 Materials and Methods 3
3 Procedure 3
4 Results 4
5 Discussion 4
6 Conclusion 4
List of Figures
1 Reactor setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3 Procedure
Abstract
This report details a small-scale experiment investigating the pyrolysis of plastic in a self-
designed and fabricated reactor. The aim was to observe the process, analyze the products,
and gain insights into the feasibility and potential applications of this technology.
1 Introduction
Plastic waste poses a significant environmental threat. Landfills are overflowing, and tradi-
tional incineration methods release harmful pollutants. Pyrolysis, a thermal decomposition
process conducted in the absence of oxygen, offers an alternative approach to managing plastic
waste. It can convert plastic into valuable products like fuel oil, gas, and char.
2 Materials and Methods
A small, cylindrical reactor was fabricated from mild steel. The reactor consisted of a heating
chamber, a condenser unit, and a receiving vessel. Plastic waste was fed into the reactor
manually by opening the reactor, and the heating element was used to achieve the desired
pyrolysis temperature. The generated vapors were condensed and collected in the receiving
vessel.
Figure 1: Reactor setup
3 Procedure
1. Shredded plastic waste was fed into the reactor.
2. The reactor was sealed, and the pyrolysis process was allowed to proceed for a predeter-
mined time.
3. The gaseous and liquid products were collected in the condenser and receiving vessel,
respectively.
3
6 Conclusion
4. The reactor was cooled down, and the solid residue (char) was collected.
4 Results
1. Liquid fuel: A dark-colored liquid fuel was collected
2. Gas:he condensed gas was flammable and could be used as a fuel source
3. Char:A solid residue remained in the reactor, which could be further processed or used
as a soil amendment
5 Discussion
This small-scale experiment demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing pyrolysis for plastic waste
management. The produced fuel oil and gas offer potential as alternative energy sources,
while the char can be used for various applications. However, further research is necessary
to optimize the process, improve the quality of the products, and ensure the environmental
sustainability of this technology.
6 Conclusion
The pyrolysis of plastic in a fabricated reactor has proven to be a viable approach for converting
plastic waste into valuable products. Further research and development are needed to refine
the process and enable its widespread application as a sustainable solution for plastic waste
management.