POTENTIAL OF FUEL PRODUCTION BY FAST PYROLYSIS OF HIGH-VOLTAGE ELETRIC CABLES WASTES
pyrolysis, catalytic pyrolysis, cross-linked polyethylene, plastic waste, electric wires and cables, fuel
Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) is used as an insulator in electrical cables and wires because its structure makes it a thermoset polymer, capable of withstanding high temperatures and protecting the system of possible short-circuits and overloads. A huge challenge upon society is the management of this electrical material waste, when the main goal, nowadays, is the recovery of the inner metal, which holds bigger economic value, while the polymeric fraction is usually incinerated. This method is, however, causing environmental issues, such as the release of toxic particulate and gases. Therefore, researching for alternative ways of recycling the polymeric fraction is needed. The present work aims to evaluate the efficiency of fast and catalytic pyrolysis as an alternative for XLPE conversion into fuel material with high energy density and economic value. Thereunto, it will be done characterization of XLPE, in order to determine its energetical potential by thermogravimetric analysis (TG), volatile content, ashes content, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and calorific value. Kaolin was used as catalyst and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis, with the goal to study its application as a low-cost catalyst in the pyrolysis process. XLPE pyrolysis analysis were developed in a HP-R 5200 CDS Analytical micropyrolyzer linked to a gas chromatographer with mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS). XLPE characterizations assessed that this is a low ash (1,005%) and volatile (98,701%) content polymer, being, therefore, a good material capable of generating liquid products by pyrolysis. This process is important to raise energy density of this material, which was quantified in 10,647kcal/kg, by converting its molecules into the ones contained in the most popular fuels for commercial use. The results of pyrolytic reaction showed that a higher concentration of diesel (C8-C12) and lubricant oil (C14-C50) range hydrocarbons were produced by the conventional pyrolysis, while it was observed that, in the catalyst pyrolysis, there was an increase in the rate of, gasoline range hydrocarbons (C5-C12) and a drastic reduction in the concertation of lubricant oils. Lastly, this process showed a great potential to transform the studied material into commercial use fuel and can be considered as a sustainable alternative for the management and reuse of this plastic waste.