ABSTRACT
Used tyres pose a threat to the environment, especially in developing countries, since they are non-biodegradable. Liquid from used tyres can used as a source of fuel to replace petroleum diesel. Research has been done to prove that a pyrolysis technique can extract liquid fuel from used tyres. Microwave pyrolysis is an alternative valorization process which is efficient and environmentally friendly, and hence is effective in producing Tyre Pyrolysis Oil. Optimization was done and Central Composite Design was used to optimize the variables. The variables were microwave power, residence time, and particle size. The yield was correlated as a quadratic function of the reaction variables. Response surface and contour plots for the correlation were plotted to indicate the effects of operating variables and finally to identify the points of optimal yield. The highest yield of 38.4 (wt.%) corresponded to a microwave power of 50%, residence time of 17.5 minutes, and a particle size of 25 mm2.
