Production of Diesel Fuel from Hydrocarbon Wastes Utilising Pyrolytic Distillation Recovery

Abstract

Pyrolytic separation is an innovative solution to produce diesel fuel via the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon wastes such as tyres and plastics, achieved by treating the wastes at high temperature in the absence of oxygen. There are numerous studies on factors such as operating temperature and catalyst choice, which must be optimised to design a sophisticated system. In addition, integrating AI and other emerging digital technologies enables real time dynamic control and kinetic analysis with accuracy significantly higher than past empirical models, allowing better quality control and enhanced safety risk management. Although the technology is currently at laboratory scale, it has strong potential to contribute to Australia’s sustainability by reducing waste and producing energy simultaneously. While there are limitations that need to be addressed, various advanced technologies could effectively mitigate issues including yield recovery, energy intensity, and sulphur or metal contamination.