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1962210 
Journal Article 
Flash pyrolysis of polystyrene wastes in a free-fall reactor under vacuum 
Karaduman, A; Simsek, EH; Cicek, B; Bilgesu, AY 
2001 
Yes 
Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis
ISSN: 0165-2370 
Elsevier 
60 
2 
179-186 
English 
WOS:000169789500005 
Plastic waste minimization and recycling are important for both economical and environmental reasons. In this flash pyrolysis study, polystyrene wastes were degraded in a free-fall reactor under vacuum to regain the monomer. A set of experiments varied the temperature between 700 and 875 degreesC and determined its effects on the phase yields, the benzene, styrene, toluene, and naphthalene distribution of the liquid output and C1-C4 content of the gaseous output. The liquid yield maximized around 750 degreesC and the styrene yield at 825 degreesC. In general, operating at higher temperatures lessened the solid residue and increased the gaseous yield and total conversion. Employing waste particles in four size ranges, a second set of runs indicated that the finer the waste particles fed the higher the gaseous yield and total conversion. This recycling method can be made more promising if the feed particles are allowed more time for degradation and the removal of the primary products speeded up thereby preventing their decomposition. Ways are suggested to obviate these residence time problems. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. 
polystyrene; pyrolysis; thermal degradation; recycling; polymer; plastics; free-fall reactor