Microwave Pyrolysis, a new recycling tool

摘要

The metal content in many fractions of waste that are presently landfilled or incinerated is relatively high. With increasing prices for copper and aluminum that could be recycled, thermal processes under reducing conditions get more and more interesting. Stena Metall operates two types of microwave based pyrolysis pilot plants that also make it possible to recycle a large part of the organic material as a liquid fuel. Heat transfer problems traditionally experienced in pyrolysis of materials like plastics and rubber are significantly reduced using microwave heating. Car shredder waste fractions containing mainly polyurethane (PUR) foam, thermoset plastics and textiles shows a reduction of more than 90 % in volume and of more than 75 % in weight. To effectively recycle more metals in wet processes, water absorbing materials like PUR-foam and textiles need to be removed.