Fuel Production from Solid Vulcanized Rubber Waste through the Pyrolysis Process

This project addresses the challenge of managing solid waste from vulcanized rubber, such as discarded tires, which pose a significant environmental problem due to their slow degradation and the large volume they occupy in landfills. The proposed solution focuses on applying pyrolysis, a thermal treatment that decomposes rubber in the absence of oxygen (typically between 250°C and 500°C) to transform this waste into valuable byproducts, primarily liquid fuels. The methodology involves an initial phase of information gathering on waste availability in the area, followed by the adaptation and validation of a pyrolysis unit. Key variables such as temperature, residence time, particle size, and inert gas (N2) flow will be controlled. A mass balance will be performed to determine the yields of liquid and solid products. Finally, the resulting liquid product will undergo physicochemical analysis (density, viscosity, octane rating, flash point) to optimize operating conditions and validate its potential as fuel, thereby contributing to the reduction of landfill waste and promoting the circular economy.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>The main objective of this project is to obtain fuels from solid waste of vulcanized rubber through the application of the thermochemical process of pyrolysis.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Chemistry applied to life sciences