Pyrolysis of textile wastes: I. Kinetics and yields

Thermal behavior of textile waste was studied by thermogravimetry at different heating rates and also by semi-batch pyrolysis. It was shown that the onset temperature of mass loss is within 104–156 °C and the final reaction temperature is within 423–500 °C. The average mass loss is 89.5%. There are three DTG peaks located at the temperature ranges of 135–309, 276–394 and 374–500 °C, respectively. The first two might be associated with either with decomposition of the hemicellulose and cellulose or with different processes of cellulose decomposition. The third peak is possibly associated to a synthetic polymer. At a temperature of 460 °C, the expected amount of volatiles of this waste is within 85–89%. The kinetic parameters of the individual degradation processes were determined by using a parallel model. Their dependence on the heating rate was also established. The pyrolysis rate is considered as the sum of the three reaction rates. The pyrolysis in a batch reactor at 700 °C and nitrogen flow of 60 ml/min produces 72 wt.% of oil, 13.5 wt.% of gas and 12.5 wt.% of char. The kinetic parameters of the first peak do not vary with heating rate, while those of the second and the third peak increase and decrease, respectively, with an increasing heating rate, proving the existence of complex reaction mechanisms for both cases.     

Flash pyrolysis of Silopi asphaltite in a free-fall reactor under vacuum

Flash pyrolysis experiments on asphaltite samples were performed in a free-fall reactor under vacuum to determine the effects of pyrolysis temperature, feed rate and particle size. Maximum liquid yield of 13 wt.% was obtained in free-fall reactor under vacuum when the pyrolysis temperature was 700 °C, feed rate was 0.4 g min⁻¹ and particle sizes were between 0.075 and 0.250 mm. The liquid products obtained at various pyrolysis conditions were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) and liquid products were classified as following: C5–C10, C11–C15, C16–C20 and C20+. The amount of saturated hydrocarbons decreased while the amount of unsaturated hydrocarbons increased with increase of temperature. While percent of C5–C10 unsaturated hydrocarbons continuously increased with increase of temperature, the percent of C11–C15 unsaturated hydrocarbons increased up to 750 °C and then started to diminish. Functional group analysis of solid residue was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). The proximate analysis of solid residue indicated that percent of fixed carbon and ash increased with temperature.     

Detoxification of brominated pyrolysis oils

The development of an innovative technology for the pyrolytic conversion of brominated phenols in a reductive medium aimed at product recovery for commercial use is discussed in this paper. Brominated phenols are toxic products, which contaminate pyrolysis oil of wastes from electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE). The pyrolysis experiments were carried out with 2,6-dibromophenol, tetrabromobisphenol A, WEEE pyrolysis oil and polypropylene or polyethylene in encapsulated ampoules under inert atmosphere in quasi-isothermal conditions (300–400 °C) with a different residence time (10–30 min). Optimal conditions were found to be the use of polypropylene at 350 °C with a residence time of 20 min. The main pyrolysis products were identified as HBr and phenol. A radical debromination mechanism for the pyrolytic destruction of brominated phenols is suggested.     

Blended chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol membranes for the pervaporation dehydration of isopropanol

Homogeneous membranes were prepared by casting the solution of blended chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on a glass plate. The percent weight of chitosan in the membrane was varied from 0 to 100%. The membrane thickness was in the range of 15–30 μm. The membranes were heat treated at 150 °C for an hour. After that the membranes were crosslinked by glutaraldehyde and sulfuric acid in acetone aqueous solution. The membranes were tested at 30–60 °C for dehydration performance of 50–95% isopropanol aqueous solutions. At around 90% of isopropanol in the feed mixture, permeate flux increased whereas the percent of water in permeate tended to decrease when the feed temperature increased for all membranes, except that the water content in permeate from the membrane containing 75 wt.% chitosan remained constant. The swelling degree in water and the total flux increased with increasing chitosan content in membranes. The effect of temperature on permeate flux followed the Arrhenius relationship. The permeate flux decreased when isopropanol in the feed increased for all membranes. However, water content in permeate and isopropanol concentration in the feed formed complex relationship for different chitosan content membranes. Sorption did not appear to have significant effects on separation. The membrane containing chitosan 75% performed the best. For a feed solution containing 90% isopropanol at 60 °C, the permeate flux was 644 g/m² h with water content of nearly 100% in the permeate. At 55% isopropanol in the feed at 60 °C, the permeate flux was 3812 g/m² h. In the range of 55–95% of isopropanol in the feed, the water content in permeate was more than 99.5%. This membrane showed very excellent performance with good mechanical strength. It is promising to develop this membrane for industrial uses.     

Microemulsions of triglyceride and non-ionic surfactant — effect of temperature and aqueous phase composition

The phase behavior of soybean oil, polyoxyethylene (40) sorbitol hexaoleate and water—ethanol was investigated. Regions of water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsions were determined and were found to be strongly dependent on temperature and water:alcohol ratios. At a water:ethanol ratio of 80/20 (wt.%), an oil:surfactant ratio of 2/3 and a temperature of 25°C, the microemulsion region extended continuously from the oil—surfactant axis to the phase diagram center. However, at the hydrophilic—lipophilic balance (HLB) temperature (20–22°C) and a water:ethanol ratio of 80/20 or 75/25 (wt.%), a single-phase area separated from the original microemulsion region. Conductivity measurements and dynamic light scattering intensifies at 25°C indicated that association structures were formed with increasing aqueous phase concentrations above 15 wt.%. At 20°C, the single-phase scattering intensifies increased sharply with increasing aqueous phase concentrations (38–46 wt.%) and a plateau in the conductivity was detected.

Transmission electron microscopy results supported the finding that more particles are formed with increasing aqueous phase and form connected particles, resulting in constant conductance.     

Synthesis of industrial scale NaY zeolite membranes and ethanol permeating performance in pervaporation and vapor permeation up to 130 °C and 570 kPa

NaY zeolite tubular membranes in an industrial scale of 80 cm long were synthesized on monolayer and asymmetric porous supports. The quality of synthesized membranes were evaluated by pervaporation (PV) experiments in 80 cm long at 75 °C in a mixture of water (10 wt.%)/ethanol (90 wt.%), resulting in higher permeation fluxes of 5.1 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ in the monolayer type membrane and of 9.1–10.1 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ in the asymmetric-type membranes, respectively. The uniformity with small performance fluctuation in longitudinal direction of the membranes were observed by PV for 10–12 cm long samples at 50 °C in a mixture of methanol (10 wt.%)/MTBE (90 wt.%). The ethanol single component permeation experiments in PV and vapor permeation (VP) up to 130 °C and 570 kPa were performed to determine the relations between the ethanol flux and the ethanol pressure difference across the membrane which is represented by permeance (Π, mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹) for estimate of potential of ethanol extraction through the present NaY zeolite membranes applying feasible studies. Results indicate that (1) the permeation fluxes are linearly proportional to the driving force of vapor pressure for each sample in VP and PV. The permeances through an asymmetric support type membrane were rather constant of 0.6–1.2 × 10⁻⁷ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ in the wide temperature range of 90–130 °C in PV and VP, indicating that the ethanol permeances have weak temperature dependency with the feed at the saturated vapor pressure.

The results of superheating VP experiments showed that ethanol permeation fluxes are increased with increasing of the degree of superheating at a given constant feed vapor pressure. The ethanol permeances are increased with increasing of temperature at a given feed vapor pressure. The superheating VP could be a feasible process in industry.     

Vacuum pyrolysis of intruder plant biomasses

Biomass from three invasive plant species of the Western Karoo region in South Africa, namely Kraalbos, Schotzbos and Asbos, was treated by vacuum pyrolysis. The influence of temperature, pyrolysis time, pressure and initial moisture content on the bio-oil and charcoal yields were investigated. Asbos with the largest ash content, 19.9 wt.%, gave chars with an ash content between 40 wt.% and 44 wt.% making it difficult to use commercially. Vacuum pyrolysis of Kraalbos resulted in producing a biochar with a HHV of 23.0-25.5 MJ/kg and an ash content of 13-19 wt.% which compared favourable with commercial charcoal. The bio-oils from both Kraalbos and Schotzbos showed promise as potential heating oil with a HHV of 21.6-26.9 MJ/kg. The tarry phase contained a number of phenolic compounds that can be separated and shows promise as a feedstock for upgrading. Finally ageing which acts on the lignocellulosic structure of biomasses decreased the charcoal and oil yields from the vacuum pyrolysis of intruder plants.     

Surface and catalytic properties of Cu/Zn mixed oxide catalysts

Copper catalysts supported on zinc oxide, with different loading (1–20 wt.% CuO), were prepared by impregnation of the basic zinc carbonate with a water solution of copper nitrate. The impregnated samples were dried at 120°C and calcined at 400–700°C. The surface and catalytic properties of CuO loaded on ZnO were determined by N₂ adsorption measurements conducted at −196°C and CO oxidation by O₂ at 150–300°C, respectively. The results obtained revealed that the surface and catalytic properties of different solids were dependent upon CuO content and calcination temperature. The specific surface areas of various adsorbents decreased monotonically as a function of both calcination temperature and extent of loading. However, the activation energy of sintering, ΔE_S, was found to increase by increasing the amount of CuO present. On the other hand, the CO oxidation activity on various catalysts was found to increase progressively by increasing the calcination temperature from 400 to 500°C, then decreased by increasing the temperature from 500 to 700°C. The augmentation of CuO content from 1 to 5 wt.% resulted in an increase in the CO oxidation activity, which decreased by increasing the extent of loading above this limit.     

Effect of process parameters on transmembrane flux during direct osmosis

Direct osmosis is a non-thermal membrane process employed for the concentration of fruit juices at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, thereby maintaining the organoleptic and nutritional properties of fruit juices. In the present study, concentration of pineapple juice by direct osmosis was explored. Aqueous solution of sucrose (0–40%, w/w)–sodium chloride (0–26%, w/w) combination was investigated as an alternative osmotic agent. The sucrose–sodium chloride combination can overcome the drawback of sucrose (low flux) and sodium chloride (salt migration) as osmotic agents during direct osmosis process. The effect of the hydrodynamic conditions in the module and feed temperature (25–45 °C) on transmembrane flux was evaluated. For a range of hydrodynamic conditions studied, it was observed that transmembrane flux increases with Reynolds number. The increase in feed temperature resulted in an increase in transmembrane flux. The pineapple juice was concentrated upto a total soluble solids content of 60 °Brix at ambient temperature. The effect of direct osmosis process on physico-chemical characteristics of pineapple juice was also studied. The ascorbic acid content was well preserved in the pineapple juice concentrate by direct osmosis process.     

Thermal decomposition of potassium cobalt hexacyanoferrate(II)

Potassium cobalt hexacyanoferrate(II), K₂CoFe(CN)₆ · 1.4H₂O, loses its water when heated up to 170°C, and the anhydrous compound begins to decompose above 230°C. The cyanide groups are evaporated off in the temperature range 230–350°C, and the solid products thus formed are K₂CO₃, Fe₂O₃, Co₃O₄ and CoFe₂O₄. In the range 550–900°C, the cobalt-containing compounds become CoO, and K₂CO₃ probably partly decomposes to K₂O, so that the product mixture at 900°C is K₂CO₃/K₂O, Fe₂O₃ and CoO. Above this temperature, K₂CO₃ decomposes to K₂O.     

Fast pyrolysis of rice straw,sugarcane bagasse and coconut shell in an induction-heating reactor

With the application of induction heating, a fast pyrolysis was used for producing valuable products from rice straw, sugarcane bagasse and coconut shell in an externally heated fixed-bed reactor. The effect of process parameters such as pyrolysis temperature, heating rate and holding time on the yields of pyrolysis products and their chemical compositions were investigated. The maximum yield of ca. 50% on the pyrolysis liquid product could be obtained at the proper process conditions. The chemical characterization by elemental (CHNO), calorific, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) showed that the pyrolysis liquid products contain large amounts of water (>65 wt.%), and fewer contents of oxygenated hydrocarbons composing of carbonyl groups, resulting in low pH and low heating values. The results were very similar to bio-oils obtained from other biomass materials. The residual solid (char or charcoal) was also characterized in the present study.     

Influence of major process and formulation parameters On microfluidized fat globule size distribution and example of a practical consequences

The influence of certain process variables (pressure and temperature), as well as composition variables (fat, protein and low molecular weight emulsifier concentrations) and the emulsification process used, on the size distribution of milk fat globules was studied in a dairy oil-in-water model emulsion and in homogenized milk. In the first case, the use of a central composite experimental design allowed us to obtain two nonlinear multiple regression equations relating the volume-weighted average diameter ( _v) of the fat globules as well as the relative width of size distribution (CV) to the emulsification pressure (7.8–76.3 MPa) and temperature (35–100°C), and to sodium caseinate (0.5–3.9wt.%), butter oil (5.2–14.7 wt.%) and monoglyceride (0.08–0.88 wt.%) concentrations. These two functions, which account for 93.7 and 81.7%, respectively, of the variation in the average diameter and in the size distribution width of the microfluidized fat globules, were used to describe certain interactions between the different variables affecting the size of the microfluidized fat globules. They were also used to define the optimal conditions that correspond to the extremes of the average particle diameter and of the distribution width of the fat globules. These two functions also allowed us to predict fat globule parameters as a function of process and formulation conditions. In the second case, the microfluidization process lead to an overestimation (up to 0.3%) of the milk fat content as determined by a infrared analyser.     

Sinterability enhancement in semicokes obtained by controlled pyrolysis of a petroleum residue

Self-sintering semicokes were prepared by pyrolysis of an aromatic petroleum residue at 460–480 °C and pressures of 0.1–1.0 MPa. The evolution of gases and thermoplasticity from resultant semicokes were monitored by TGA and TMA, respectively. Sintering behaviour of the semicokes is extremely sensitive to pyrolysis conditions which determine contents of volatile matter and binder phase. Semicokes produced at 1.0 MPa have high volatile contents with excessive plasticity. Changes of temperature and soak time, used to reduce volatile matter contents induce reductions to the plasticity and sintering. A lower pyrolysis pressure has a similar effect. Although the operational window is narrow, heat-treated compacts (2500 °C) can be made with high density (1.9 g cm⁻³) and bending strengths >75 MPa. Using high-temperature pyrolysis (460 °C) with a post-treatment at 350–400 °C eliminates light components, without decreasing sintering properties. Compacts from these powders also exhibit high density (1.9 g cm⁻³) with higher bending strengths >90 MPa, comparable or superior to mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) obtained from the same precursor.     

Physical properties of diglycerol esters in relation to rheology and stability of protein-stabilised emulsions

The surface activity and lyotropic phase behaviour of concentrated diglycerol-esters of fatty acids with chain length of C14, C16, C18 and C18:1 (cis-oleic acid) are investigated. Diglycerol-esters show a much stronger reduction in the interfacial tension at a low concentration (0.01–0.1%) than corresponding monoglycerides. The diglycerol-esters form lamellar mesophases above their Krafft point, and no other types of mesophases are found in the temperature region examined (0–80°C). The lamellar phases show a limited swelling capacity, corresponding to a water layer thickness of ≈24 Å, which is found when the ratio of diglycerol-ester to water is 60:40, or lower. At high water concentrations (>90%) multi-lamellar liposomes are formed. The diglycerol-monooleate form lamellar phases in water in the temperature region from zero to 80°C. This is in strong contrast to the corresponding glycerol-monooleate, which forms cubic and reversed hexagonal mesophases in water. Oil in water emulsions are stabilised by diglycerol-esters by formation of liquid crystalline interfacial films around the oil droplets, which can be seen in polarised light microscopy. In presence of milk proteins in the aqueous phase the emulsion stability is depending on the protein to emulsifier ratio. At 40°C a mixed interfacial film of diglycerol-monooleate (DIGMO) and protein is present at the oil–water interface, but when cooled to 5°C, the proteins are displaced by DIGMO. This behaviour affects the stability and rheological properties of emulsions stored at low temperatures.     

The direct synthesis of dimethyl ether from syngas over hybrid catalysts with sulfate-modified γ-alumina as methanol dehydration components

A series of γ-Al₂O₃ samples modified with various contents of sulfate (0–15 wt.%) and calcined at different temperatures (350–750 °C) were prepared by an impregnation method and physically admixed with CuO–ZnO–Al₂O₃ methanol synthesis catalyst to form hybrid catalysts. The direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from syngas was carried out over the prepared hybrid catalysts under pressurized fixed-bed continuous flow conditions. The results revealed that the catalytic activity of SO₄²⁻/γ-Al₂O₃ for methanol dehydration increased significantly when the content of sulfate increased to 10 wt.%, resulting in the increase in both DME selectivity and CO conversion. However, when the content of sulfate of SO₄²⁻/γ-Al₂O₃ was further increased to 15 wt.%, the activity for methanol dehydration was increased, and the selectivity for DME decreased slightly as reflected in the increased formation of byproducts like hydrocarbons and CO₂. On the other hand, when the calcination temperature of SO₄²⁻/γ-Al₂O₃ increased from 350 °C to 550 °C, both the CO conversion and the DME selectivity increased gradually, accompanied with the decreased formation of CO₂. Nevertheless, a further increase in calcination temperature to 750 °C remarkably decreased the catalytic activity of SO₄²⁻/γ-Al₂O₃ for methanol dehydration, resulting in the significant decline in both DME selectivity and CO conversion. The hybrid catalyst containing the SO₄²⁻/γ-Al₂O₃ with 10 wt.% sulfate and calcined at 550 °C exhibited the highest selectivity and yield for the synthesis of DME.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blend membranes for pervaporation separation of water + isopropanol and water + 1,4-dioxane mixtures

Pervaporation (PV) separation of water + isopropanol and water + 1,4-dioxane mixtures has been attempted using the blend membranes of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with 5 wt.% of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These results have been compared with the plain PVA membrane. Both plain PVA and PVA/PMMA blend membranes have been crosslinked with glutaraldehyde in an acidic medium. The membranes were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and universal testing machine. Pervaporation separation experiments have been performed at 30 °C for 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 wt.% of feed water mixtures containing isopropanol as well as 1,4-dioxane. PVA/PMMA blend membrane has shown a selectivity of 400 for 10 wt.% of water in water + isopropanol feed, while for water + 1,4-dioxane feed mixture, membrane selectivity to water was 104 at 30 °C. For both the feed mixtures, selectivity for the blend membrane was higher than that observed for plain PVA membrane, but flux of the blend membrane was lower than that observed for the plain PVA membrane. Membranes of this study are able to remove as much as 98 wt.% of water from the feed mixtures of water + isopropanol, while 92 wt.% of water was removed from water + 1,4-dioxane feed mixtures at 30 °C. Flux of water increased for both the feed mixtures, while the selectivity decreased at higher feed water concentrations. The same trends were observed at 40 and 50 °C for 10, 15 and 20 wt.% of water mixtures containing isopropanol as well as 1,4-dioxane feed mixtures, which also covered their azeotropic composition ranges. Membrane performance was studied by calculating flux (J_p), selectivity (), pervaporation separation index (PSI) and enrichment factor (β). Permeation flux followed the Arrhenius trend over the range of temperatures investigated. It was found that by introducing a hydrophobic PMMA polymer into a hydrophilic PVA, the selectivity increased dramatically, while flux decreased compared to plain PVA, due to a loss in PVA chain relaxation.     

Crystalline calcium phenylphosphonate—thermodynamic data on n-alkylmonoamine intercalations

Lamellar crystalline calcium phenylphosphonate, as anhydrous Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂ and hydrated Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂·2H₂O compounds, were used as hosts for intercalation of polar n-alkylmonoamine molecules of the general formula CH₃(CH₂)_nNH₂ (n=0–4, 7) in water or 1,2-dichloroethane. An increase in the interlayer distance was observed. The exothermic enthalpic values for intercalation increased with the number of carbon atoms and with increasing concentration of the amines. The intercalation followed by a titration procedure in the solid/liquid interface with Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂·2H₂O and Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂ gave the enthalpy/number of carbons correlations: Δ_intH=−(1.74±0.43)–(1.30±0.13)n_c and Δ_intH=−(4.15±0.15)–(1.07±0.03)n_c, for water and 1,2-dichloroethane, respectively. A similar correlation Δ_intH=−(4.27±0.80)–(1.85±0.21)n_c was obtained in water by using the ampoule breaking procedure for Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂·2H₂O. The increase in exothermic enthalpic values with the increase in n-aliphatic carbon atoms is more pronounced for the anhydrous compound and also when using the ampoule breaking procedure. The Gibbs free energies are negative. Positive entropic values favor intercalation in these systems.     

The effect of humidity on dehydration behavior of nitrofurantoin monohydrate studied by humidity controlled simultaneous instrument for X-ray Diffractometry and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (XRD–DSC)

The dependence of thermal dehydration behavior of nitrofurantoin monohydrate on humidity was studied. Difference in observed crystallinity of resulting anhydrates under three humidity conditions is discussed in relation to the effect of water vapor molecules. Thermal dehydration of nitrofurantoin monohydrate was measured using a humidity controlled simultaneous measurement instrument for X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) in dry, 27 °C 91% RH and 60 °C 90% RH nitrogen. Dehydration of nitrofurantoin in dry nitrogen gave a mixture of crystalline and amorphous anhydrates in the temperature range of 124–180 °C followed by crystallization around 185–190 °C. Whereas, dehydration in high humidity atmosphere (60 °C 90% RH or 17.7% H₂O–82.3% N₂) gave well crystallized anhydrate at 140 °C soon after dehydration. Dehydration in low humidity nitrogen (27 °C 91% RH or 3.2% H₂O–96.8% N₂) gave not totally crystalline anhydrate, which became pure crystalline at around 190 °C. The effect of high humidity on dehydration and crystallinity of the resulting anhydrate can be attributed to the role of water vapor molecules in two ways such as the acceleration of molecular mobility and high molecular diffusion rate of nitrofurantoin anhydrate, and the formation of hydrogen bonding bridges quickly connecting dehydrated molecules to one another.     

Changes in commercial wood charcoals by thermal treatments

As a continuation of a recent study of commercial wood charcoals as far as their potential production of carbon adsorbents is concerned, we have studied the influence of the final heating temperature (T) as carbonization variable in the range 250–1000 °C on the yield and on the characteristics of granular chars prepared from two very different charcoals: a holm-oak charcoal manufactured by partial combustion in a charcoal kiln and an eucalyptus charcoal industrially manufactured in a continuous furnace. Our study also includes the changes produced in both charcoals heated at 250 °C in air for 24 h, and their influences on the adsorption of water vapour at 25 °C. The samples were characterized by thermogravimetry, chemical analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, densimetric measurements and mercury porosimetry. T affects the char yield, the chemical composition and the porosity of each char series differently. In particular, the total open pore volumes (to helium) of the starting charcoals, 0.475 and 1.044 cm³ g⁻¹, increase to 0.872 and 1.293 cm³ g⁻¹ heating up to 1000 and 500 °C, respectively. The changes by carbonization are mainly due to devolatilization; moreover, a moderate structural shrinkage occurs heating the eucalyptus charcoal at T > 500 °C. Concerning the air treatments, the yields do not present a significant difference; carbonyl groups are formed and the resulting pore structures depend on the starting charcoals. Water adsorption is larger for the eucalyptus carbons (approximately type V isotherms) than for the holm-oak carbons (type II isotherms).     

Production of liquid fuels and chemicals from pyrolysis of Bangladeshi bicycle/rickshaw tire wastes

Tire wastes in the form of used bicycle/rickshaw tires available in Bangladesh were pyrolyzed in a fixed-bed fire-tube heating reactor under different pyrolysis conditions to determine the role of final temperature, sweeping gas flow rate and feed size on the product yields and liquid product composition. Final temperature range studied was between 375 and 575 °C and the highest liquid product yield was obtained at 475 °C. Liquid products obtained under the most suitable conditions were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and GC–MS techniques. The results show that it is possible to obtain liquid products that are comparable to petroleum fuels and valuable chemical feedstock from bicycle/rickshaw tire wastes if the pyrolysis conditions are chosen accordingly.