Production of hydrocarbons from copyrolysis of plastic and tyre material with microwave heating

A process comprising subjecting plastic materials such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and mixtures thereof, to pyrolysis by way of irradiation with microwaves (MW) said plastic materials being mixed with end-of-life tyres (PFU), or the solid pyrolysis residues thereof or other carbon materials, said process characterised in that:

• (a) the vapours derived from the pyrolysis reaction are conveyed in a fractionation system before being sent to a condensation system;
• or
• (b) the delivery of the MW is at such a power level as to obtain a mean percentage pyrolysis rate (VM %) of less than, or equal to, 1.0/min and/or a mean heating rate (VM risc) of less than, or equal to, 10° C./min, in case of pyrolysis induced by PFU;
• or delivery of the MW at such a power level as to obtain a mean pyrolysis rate (VM %) of less than or equal to 2.0/min and/or a mean heating rate (VM risc) of less than or equal to 15° C./min, in the case of pyrolysis induced by PFU pyrolysis residues and the vapours derived from the pyrolysis reaction are directly sent to a condensation system, without being conveyed in a fractionation system before being sent to the condensation system;
• for obtaining pyrolysis oils having a content greater than 50% by weight of hydrocarbons distillable between 20 and 250° C. and having a sulphur content less than 1% by weight.