Energy-Efficient Design for a Commercial-Scale Waste Tire Pyrolysis Oil Separation Process
Journal
Energy and Fuels
Journal Volume
39
Journal Issue
26
Start Page
12778
End Page
12790
ISSN
0887-0624
1520-5029
Date Issued
2025-06-19
Author(s)
Abstract
Worldwide tire production continues to grow exponentially, and most scrap tires accumulate in stockpiles and landfills. Tire pyrolysis is a practical recycling method that converts discarded tires into chemicals and fuels. One product of tire pyrolysis is waste tire pyrolysis oil (WTPO), which can be fractionated to produce transportation fuels. Most research in this area has focused on the pyrolysis process, with only a limited number of studies investigating the design of WTPO fractionating columns. In this work the scale-up of a WTPO fractionating column to commercial scale is studied using a rigorous process simulator. A methodology for column design is also proposed which considers fuel quality specifications, column hydraulics, and related safety concerns. Two energy-saving strategies are also investigated: High Temperature Gas Feed (HTGF) and High Temperature Gas as a Heat Source (HTGHS). Although the HTGF process can reduce reboiler duty by about 42%, the HTGHS method performs better overall. It reduces reboiler duty by about 56% while being amenable to a simpler control structure and has lower total cost. Control structures are proposed for each design based on operability and safety considerations.
SDGs
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Type
journal article