Pyrolysis Process in PET Bottle Recycling
24 patents in this list
Updated:
Converting PET bottles through pyrolysis presents unique thermal degradation challenges, with reaction pathways that initiate at 300°C and progress through multiple stages. During decomposition, the polymer chains break down into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, while secondary reactions can produce unwanted char formation and reduce hydrocarbon yields.
The core challenge lies in controlling the thermal decomposition pathways to maximize valuable product yields while minimizing energy input and preventing secondary reactions that lead to char formation.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including two-stage thermal processing, reactive distillation systems, steam-assisted decomposition, and molten salt reactor designs. These and other approaches focus on achieving consistent product quality while maintaining economic viability at commercial scales.
1. Continuous Thermal Depolymerization of Waste Plastic in Carbon-Coated Reactor
โปรอิล เอส. อาร์. แอล., Proil S.R.L., 2023
A process for recycling waste plastic into useful hydrocarbon fuels using thermal depolymerization. The process involves heating the waste plastic in the absence of oxygen to break down the polymer chains into hydrocarbons. This is done in a specialized reactor with a carbon-coated inner wall. The depolymerization reaction produces liquid fuels like diesel and gasoline, as well as gases. The process is continuous and has high efficiency compared to other recycling methods.
2. Thermochemical Process for Pyrolysis of Waste Plastics with Sequential Melting and Low-Temperature Pitch Production
LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC, 2023
Thermochemical conversion of waste plastics into useful products like petrochemicals, fuels, and asphalt. The process involves melting the waste plastic in a tank and then pyrolyzing it in a reactor. The melting step removes water and oxygen to prevent coking. The pyrolysis is done at lower temperatures to produce pitch instead of tar. This allows higher oil yield. The pyrolysis oil is separated into gases, light oil, medium oil, and heavy oil fractions. The system uses controlled heating and stirring to optimize conversion and prevent coking.
3. Two-Stage Pyrolysis Process for Conversion of Waste Plastics into Monomers
ユーオーピー エルエルシー, UOP LLC, 2023
Two-step plastic recycling process to convert waste plastics into monomers like ethylene and propylene. The process involves pyrolyzing the plastics at 300-600°C in a first stage to produce low-temperature pyrolysis products. Then, a portion of those products is heated to 600-1100°C in a second stage to further pyrolyze into monomers. This two-step process allows converting plastics into monomers with higher yields compared to single-stage high-temperature pyrolysis.
4. Process for Thermocatalytic Degradation of Plastic Waste with Slurry Recycling and Gas Condensation
BASELL POLIOLEFINE ITALIA SPA, 2023
A process for converting plastic waste into liquid hydrocarbons with improved yield and efficiency compared to existing methods. The process involves two steps: 1) thermocatalytic degradation of the plastic in a reactor at high temperatures to produce a mixture of gases and liquids, and 2) condensation of the gases to separate and collect the liquid hydrocarbons. A key feature is recycling a portion of the liquid slurry from the reactor back into it, rather than discharging the entire slurry. This improves hydrocarbon yield and reduces the amount of solid charcoal that forms. The process can be scaled up to commercial levels for converting large amounts of plastic waste into valuable liquid hydrocarbons.
5. Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Apparatus with Integrated Melting, Decomposition, and Reactive Distillation Sections
DAEKYUNG ESCO CO LTD, 2023
Waste plastic pyrolysis apparatus that improves efficiency and productivity of low-boiling pyrolysis oil production. The apparatus has a melting section, thermal decomposition section, and reactive distillation column. Waste plastic is melted, rapidly pyrolyzed, and decomposed using recycled high-temperature gases. Uncondensed gases separate and recirculate to maximize thermal contact, increase reaction rates, and further decompose unreacted materials. This avoids carbonization and reduces energy consumption compared to separate units.
6. Modular Containerized Pyrolysis Plant with Integrated Fractionation and Energy Recovery for Plastic Waste Conversion
PLASTRON SOLUTIONS PTY LTD, 2023
A containerized plastic waste pyrolysis plant that can efficiently convert plastic waste into hydrocarbon fuels like diesel. The plant is designed to be modular, portable, and scalable for deploying in various locations. It uses containerized units with pyrolysis reactors, flash distillation, fractionation, and scrubbing steps to convert plastic waste into hydrocarbon fuels. The plant can handle smaller feed sizes than fixed plants, making it suitable for mobile deployment. The containerized design allows easy shipping and assembly, while the modular units can be combined in series or parallel to scale output. The plant can also generate electricity from the pyrolysis gas byproducts.
7. Process for Co-Located Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Vapor Integration with Cracker Furnace System
EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO, 2023
Process for making recycled content hydrocarbon products from waste plastic pyrolysis vapor. The process involves co-locating waste plastic pyrolysis and cracking facilities. The pyrolysis vapor is withdrawn from the pyrolysis facility at a certain temperature, then introduced into the cross-over pipe between the cracker furnace sections. This prevents condensation since the vapor temperature is higher than the cracker furnace sections. By combining and cracking the vapor with the cracker feed, it enhances energy efficiency and reduces waste heat losses compared to separate facilities. The vapor introduction rate is adjusted as cracker feed rate changes to maintain furnace heat balance.
8. Simultaneous Pyrolysis Process for Mixed PET and Polyolefin Plastics with Steam and Nitrogen
INST PROCESS ENG CAS, INSTITUTE OF PROCESS ENGINEERING CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 2023
Simultaneous pyrolysis of mixed plastics containing PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and polyolefin plastics like PP and PE to efficiently recycle complex plastic waste streams. The method involves pyrolyzing the mixed plastic feed at high temperatures in the presence of steam and nitrogen. The pyrolysis converts the mixed plastics into terephthalic acid (TPA) and olefin monomers like ethylene and propylene. The high H/C ratio of PET and the acid catalytic effect of TPA in the mixed plastic feed synergistically enhance the pyrolysis yield of TPA and olefins compared to pyrolyzing the plastics separately.
9. Molten Salt Reactor System for Depolymerizing Waste Plastic into Hydrocarbons
PROIL SRL, 2022
Process for recycling waste plastic into hydrocarbons and a plant for implementing it. The process involves depolymerizing waste plastic in a heated reactor filled with molten salt to break down the polymer chains into gaseous hydrocarbons. The plant has features like scraper blades to prevent floating of plastic, mixing to dissolve, and jacket heating with salt circulation. The hydrocarbons are fractionated into fuels and gases. The plant also has steps to prepare the plastic feed, remove contaminants, and reduce size. This allows recycling of difficult-to-recycle waste plastics into valuable products.
10. Process for Steam Cracking Pyrolysis Effluent of Waste Plastics with Quenching to Separate Hydrocarbon Streams
UOP LLC, 2022
Converting waste plastics into high-value hydrocarbon products through steam cracking of the pyrolysis effluent. The process involves pyrolyzing plastics at high temperatures around 450°C to obtain a pyrolysis effluent stream. This stream is then steam cracked to separate out C5 and C4 hydrocarbon streams. Quenching the pyrolysis effluent stream before steam cracking reduces oligomerization and preserves valuable light olefins. The steam cracking can be done in parallel with plastic feed steam cracking to utilize the furnace capacity.
11. Staged Pyrolysis System for Blended Waste Plastics and Industrial Waste with Recycled Content Integration
EASTMAN CHEM CO, EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO, 2022
Large-scale production of recycled content feedstocks and products using pyrolysis of waste plastics and industrial waste. The system involves shredding recycled plastics, blending with industrial waste, and pyrolyzing in stages at increasing temperatures. This improves flowability and homogenization. The pyrolysis oil can be further processed into valuable chemicals like ethylene oxide. Recovered components from pyrolysis and other sources can be added to products like ethylene oxide to increase recycled content.
12. Method for Recycling Mixed Waste Plastics via Pre-Treatment and Pyrolysis
EASTMAN CHEM CO, EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO, 2022
A method to recycle waste plastics into useful products through pyrolysis. The method involves treating the waste plastic feedstock before pyrolysis to address issues like heterogeneity and contaminants. Steps like shredding, separating, mixing, and co-feeding with liquids improve pyrolysis efficiency for variable waste streams. This allows recycling of post-consumer and post-industrial plastics together without sorting. The recycled pyrolysis oil can be used to make new plastics or chemicals like ethylene oxide. The process enables scalable closed-loop recycling of mixed waste plastics.
13. Plastic-to-Oil Conversion Plant with Cracking Reactor Featuring Recycled Pyrolysis Char for Heat Transfer and Mixing
PRUVIA GMBH, 2022
Plastic-to-oil plant for converting plastics into petrochemical products using a cracking reactor that provides efficient, energy-efficient, and resource-efficient plastic recycling. The reactor design promotes fast and efficient heating and mixing of the plastic feed. The plant has separate sections for pyrolysis, combustion, and product separation. The char and particles from pyrolysis are cycled back to the reactor to provide stirring and heat transfer. This reduces the need for mechanical mixing. The combustion air is preheated using flue gas. The pyrolysis gases are also preheated before distillation. This recovers heat from the combustion and pyrolysis steps to improve efficiency.
14. Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis Reactor with Sequential Heating and Continuous Feed System for Polymer Waste Decomposition
マイクロウェーブ ソリューションズ ゲーエムベーハー, MICROWAVE SOLUTIONS GMBH, 2022
Pyrolysis method and reactor for recycling polymer waste like tires using microwave heating to decompose the materials into valuable products. The method involves rapidly heating the waste to decomposition temperatures using microwaves, then continuing with additional heating sources like conduction or electricity. This sequential heating at different temperatures allows selective decomposition of the polymer components. It reduces char and improves product quality compared to conventional pyrolysis. The reactor has a microwave source and conveyor to continuously feed and heat the waste in stages. A control system optimizes parameters based on waste composition.
15. Two-Step Pyrolysis and Partial Oxidation Gasification of Mixed Waste Plastics for Syngas Production
EASTMAN CHEM CO, EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO, 2021
Chemical recycling of mixed waste plastics using pyrolysis and partial oxidation gasification to produce recycled-content syngas. The method involves pyrolyzing waste plastics to generate a pyrolysis effluent with a high carbon content residue. This residue is then fed to a partial oxidation gasifier along with oxygen to further convert it into syngas. This two-step process allows efficient recycling of mixed waste plastics into valuable syngas compared to direct pyrolysis of the feedstock. The syngas can then be used as a feedstock for chemical production.
16. Portable Pyrolysis Device with Rotating Paddle for Plastic Waste Conversion into Oils and Gases
BIOFABRIK WHITE REFINERY GMBH, 2020
Decentralized system for recycling plastic waste that cannot be directly recycled into material or energy. The system involves a portable pyrolysis device that heats and agitates the plastic waste to break it down into usable oils, waxes, and gases. The device has a rotating paddle that moves the plastic as it pyrolyzes. This prevents clogging. The pyrolysis vapors are condensed into oils and the gases are discharged. The condensation process removes waxes and separates out solid residue. The condensates can be used as oils, while the gases are discharged.
17. Pyrolysis Reactor for Plastic Waste Conversion with Zeolite Catalyst and Non-Thermal Plasma Filtration
MIRVANA TEKNOLOJI UERETIM ITHALAT IHRACAT SANAYI VE TICARET LTD SIRKETI, MİRVANA TEKNOLOJİ ÜRETİM İTHALAT İHRACAT SANAYİ VE TİCARET LİMİTED ŞİRKETİ, 2020
A machine to convert plastic waste into vehicle fuel using pyrolysis in a reactor with an oxygen-free environment. The reactor has a zeolite rock catalyst and the off-gas is used to generate heat. The reactor outlet is filtered with non-thermal plasma to remove impurities. The machine aims to recycle plastic waste into fuel while avoiding oxygen to increase conversion efficiency.
18. Low-Temperature Pyrolysis Device with Separate Heating Furnaces and Gas Processing Unit for Mixed Waste Synthetic Resins
ECOIN ENERGY INC, 2020
Low-temperature pyrolysis device for extracting renewable fuel oil from mixed waste synthetic resins like plastics and Styrofoam. The device has features to minimize pollution, improve efficiency and prevent overloading. It includes separate heating furnaces for pyrolysis, weight sensors to prevent overfilling, and a gas processing unit to treat harmful gases before release. This allows effective odor and pollution control compared to conventional devices. The furnace temperature is controlled to melt specific waste types and reduce impurities in the oil.
19. Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Apparatus with Rotating Heating Furnace and Nitrogen-Purged Transfer System
HALLA PREC ENG CO LTD, HALLA PRECISION ENG CO LTD, KIM TAI SANG, 2019
Waste plastic pyrolysis apparatus for efficiently converting waste plastics into usable products like fuel gas. The apparatus has a combustion furnace, heating furnace, and supply unit. The combustion furnace receives waste plastic. The heating furnace surrounds it to pyrolyze the plastic. The supply unit feeds plastic into the furnace. The design features include a transfer pipe with a conveyance cylinder to push the plastic into the furnace, a purge chamber with nitrogen injection to prevent blockages, and a rear conveyance cylinder to move pyrolyzed plastic forward. The furnace can also rotate to promote mixing.
20. Waste Plastic Pyrolysis System with Integrated Separation and Refinement Components
FUTURE ENERGY INVEST PTY LTD, FUTURE ENERGY INVESTMENTS PTY LTD, 2019
A process and plant for converting waste plastic into fuel products using pyrolysis. The process involves heating waste plastic to form molten plastic, then pyrolyzing it at high temperatures to produce a mix of gases, oils, and char. This mixture is separated into individual fuel products using centrifuges, catalytic reactors, and scrubbers. The gases can be burned as fuel, the oils refined into fuel oil, and the char used as feedstock in other processes. The plant layout includes equipment like extruders, pyrolysis reactors, catalytic towers, centrifuges, and scrubbers.
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