A multi-purpose pilot-scale molten metal & molten salt pyrolysis reactor

Frank Riedewald; Ian Povey; Maria O'Mahoney; Maria Sousa-Gallagher

doi:10.1016/j.mex.2021.101606

A multi-purpose pilot-scale molten metal & molten salt pyrolysis reactor

MethodsX. 2021 Dec 16:9:101606. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2021.101606. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Frank Riedewald¹, Ian Povey², Maria O'Mahoney³, Maria Sousa-Gallagher⁴

Affiliations

¹ Composite Recycling Ltd, The Rubicon Centre, CIT Campus, Bishopstown, Cork T12 Y275, Ireland.
² Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Dyke Parade, Ireland.
³ Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland.
⁴ Process and Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University College Cork, Ireland.

Abstract

This paper describes the design features and operational details of a molten metal pyrolysis reactor. Such a reactor allows pyrolysis experimentation on biomass, aluminium-laminated plastics, mixed plastics, carbon fibre materials, etc. Experimental results on biodegradable plastic, carbon fibre composites, biomass and printed circuit boards (PCBs) are presented.•The inner container can have a sloped or flat-bottom depending on the material.•The method can be used to pyrolyse composite and pure materials.

Keywords: Biomass; Composite plastic waste; Operation; Pilot plant design; Recycling.