Kinetic study of polyolefin pyrolysis in a conical spouted bed reactor

Kinetic results of polyolefin (polyethylene and polypropylene) pyrolysis obtained in a conical spouted bed reactor are compared with those obtained by thermogravimetry and in a high-heating-rate microreactor. The results are evidence of the good performance of this original reactor for kinetic studies of flash pyrolysis of plastics at high temperatures, which is due to bed isothermicity and to the fast and uniform coating of sand particles with melted plastic and, consequently, to lower limitations of heat and mass transfer. Agglomeration problems are minimum in this reactor, which is due to the good gas-solid contact in the spouted bed and to the vigorous particle movement attained with the conical geometry of the reactor.