Microwave-Induced Pyrolysis of Plastic Wastes

The performance of a novel microwave-induced pyrolysis process was evaluated by studying the degradation of high-density polyethylene and aluminum/polymer laminates in a semibatch bench-scale apparatus. The results showed that the new process has the same general features as other, more traditional, pyrolytic processes but with the advantage that it is able to deal with problematic wastes such as laminates. Degradation experiments were performed between 500 and 700 °C and the relationship between temperature, residence time of the pyrolytic products in the reactor, and the chemical composition of the hydrocarbon fraction produced was investigated. Toothpaste tubing was used as an example of a laminated material to be treated with the novel process. Clean aluminum was recovered together with hydrocarbons and the trial proved that the process has excellent potential for the treatment of plastic wastes on a commercial scale.