This study presents the pyrolysis of polystyrene waste using a single-auger pyrolysis reactor at an industrially relevant scale, i.e. within the fifth technology readiness level (TRL-5). In order to gain a better understanding of the influence of the main variables involved in this technology, a thorough experimental campaign was performed with PS feed rates of 6 and 9 kg/h, covering a temperature range of 450–600 °C. These variables influence not only the distribution of the products, but also the presence of compounds that may affect the suitability of the pyro-oil for re-polymerisation processes. In this sense, gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and simulated distillation (SimDist) of the resulting pyro-oils provided valuable insights into styrene purification. The data collected confirms the strength of the auger reactor for thermochemical recycling of polystyrene waste, and contributes to the future development of the plastics circularity on an industrial scale.

This work is part of the SUSCHEMPOL project, financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, State Research Agency (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided for Project PID2021-123759OB-I00, funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by FEDER, EU, as well as for Project TED2021130093B-C21, funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. The authors also thank the Regional Government of Aragon (DGA) for the support provided under the research group support program, as well as the interdisciplinary CSIC platforms SusPlast (Sustainable Plastics) and SosEcoCir (Sustainability and Circular Economy).

5 figures, 2 tables.-- Supplementary information available.

Peer reviewed