Investigation of fuel property of polyvinyl chloride pyrolysis residue

Abstract

Chemical recycling of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a widely used general purpose resin, is considered to be difficult because chlorine is released mainly as hydrogen chloride by pyrolysis of PVC. However, it is thought that pyrolysis residue of PVC (PVC residue) can be used as a fuel by decreasing chlorine content through the pyrolysis. In this study, the optimal heat treatment conditions for chlorine and additive removal from soft PVC was investigated. In adddition, the chlorine content and calorific value of PVC residues was evaluated. As a result, chrorine and additive contained in soft PVC was decreased by heat treatment below 300 ^oC. In addition, the calorific value of PVC residues was higher than that of wood pellets and comparable to or greater than refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and PVC residues generated by heat treatment at 250°C and 300°C satisfied the chlorine content standards for solid fuels derived from paper and waste plastics (RPF). These results suggested that these PVC residues could be used as a fuel.