Activation of end of life tyres pyrolytic char for enhancing viability of pyrolysis – Critical review, analysis and recommendations for a hybrid dual system

Taking under consideration the environmental boundaries but also the minimization of operating cost, End of Life Tyres (ELTs) depolymerization technology, via pyrolysis, can be characterized viable, under the condition of the effective valorization of every produced stream. This study aims to investigate which factors determine the path to activated carbon production from tyre-derived char, assuring that the received product will be of accepted quality, thus setting it as a commercially competitive product. To obtain current information on char activation, a comprehensive literature review was undertaken. An assessment based on process parameters, economic aspects and proposed uses of the produced activated carbons, was also presented. The proper selection of activation conditions (time, temperature, activating agent) results to a carbon adsorbent with prescript physical and chemical properties, suitable for specific applications. Towards energy self-sufficiency of the whole plant, a number of recommendations were made for the dual pyrolysis-activation scheme. Eventually, this would be an extra asset for the proposed valorization route of ELTs, via pyrolysis process.