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Three-stage thermochemical conversion of waste polyvinyl chloride

Author

Listed:
  • Kim, Jong-Woo
  • Park, Chul-Woo
  • Kim, Joo-Sik

Abstract

This paper proposes a new-type three-stage thermochemical conversion process with an auger reactor (AR), fluidized bed gasifier (FBG), and tar-cracking reactor (TCR) to recover HCl and a clean and H2-rich syngas from waste PVC. In the AR heated to approximately 300 and 400 °C, pyrolysis produces HCl through dehydrochlorination. On the other hand, the FBG and TCR produce syngas from the pyrolysis residue. This study examined the effects of the reaction temperatures of the three reactors on the mass balance and HCl recovery. When the AR was unheated, the experiment was stopped due to hot filter clogging in the gasification part. When the AR was heated to 300 and 400 °C, approximately 70 wt% of the product was generated in the gasification part, and liquids collected in the AR part contained most of the chlorine present in waste PVC. The chlorine content in syngas and total tar yield decreased significantly when the AR was heated. The optimal FBG temperature appeared to be approximately 700 °C. The syngas and hydrogen yield and water conversion increased at a TCR temperature of 850 °C. The chlorine content in syngas was minimized to 10 ppm.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, Jong-Woo & Park, Chul-Woo & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2025. "Three-stage thermochemical conversion of waste polyvinyl chloride," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:334:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225032803
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137638
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Choi, Young-Kon & Cho, Min-Hwan & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2015. "Steam/oxygen gasification of dried sewage sludge in a two-stage gasifier: Effects of the steam to fuel ratio and ash of the activated carbon on the production of hydrogen and tar removal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 160-167.
    2. Kim, Jong-Woo & Jeong, Yong-Seong & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2022. "Bubbling fluidized bed biomass gasification using a two-stage process at 600 °C: A way to avoid bed agglomeration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    3. Jeong, Yong-Seong & Park, Ki-Bum & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2020. "Hydrogen production from steam gasification of polyethylene using a two-stage gasifier and active carbon," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    4. Vlasopoulos, Antonis & Malinauskaite, Jurgita & Żabnieńska-Góra, Alina & Jouhara, Hussam, 2023. "Life cycle assessment of plastic waste and energy recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    5. Kim, Jae-Kyung & Jeong, Yong-Seong & Kim, Jong-Woo & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2023. "Two-stage thermochemical conversion of polyethylene terephthalate using steam to produce a clean and H2- and CO-rich syngas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    6. Choi, Min-Jun & Jeong, Yong-Seong & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2021. "Air gasification of polyethylene terephthalate using a two-stage gasifier with active carbon for the production of H2 and CO," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    7. Hong, Dikun & Gao, Peng & Wang, Chunbo, 2022. "A comprehensive understanding of the synergistic effect during co-pyrolysis of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and coal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PC).
    8. Park, Ki-Bum & Choi, Min-Jun & Chae, Da-Yeong & Jung, Jaeheum & Kim, Joo-Sik, 2022. "Separate two-step and continuous two-stage pyrolysis of a waste plastic mixture to produce a chlorine-depleted oil," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(PA).
    9. Arpan D. Patel & Zoé O. G. Schyns & Thomas W. Franklin & Michael P. Shaver, 2024. "Defining quality by quantifying degradation in the mechanical recycling of polyethylene," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.
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