Inside the process that turns hard-to-recycle plastic into an alternative fuel source.
Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of material at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. Because there is no oxygen, the plastic does not burn; instead its long polymer chains crack into smaller hydrocarbon molecules.
The vapours are cooled and condensed into a liquid known as pyrolysis oil. Non-condensable gases can be reused to heat the reactor, improving energy efficiency.
Pyrolysis oil can be used as an industrial fuel or further refined, offering an alternative to virgin fossil fuels while diverting plastic from landfills and the environment.
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