Experimental analysis of waste tyres as a sustainable source of energy

¹ Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
² Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
³ College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK

^* Corresponding author: dina.czajczynska@pwr.edu.pl

Abstract

Nowadays, the stability of energy supply that additionally should be sustainable is one of the most important global issues. Thus, many new potential energy sources are being investigated. Since automobile industry is growing, a huge amount of waste tyres (WT) occur each year. Pyrolysis of scrap tyres can be considered as a sustainable way to recover significant amounts of energy as well as the valuable materials. Potential of waste tyres in the energy sector is studied in this work. Proximate, ultimate and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis of mechanically grounded WT sample was done. Waste tyres feature high heating value combined with carbon content as high as 87.90 % (on dry ash-free basis). Additionally, TG analysis allows to choose optimal operating temperature for pyrolysis process which is between 350 and 500°C. However, the sulphur content is also relatively high – around 2 wt.% - and it is the most important challenge for utilizing this waste in a thermochemical way.