The role of PVC in the resource recovery of hydrocarbons from mixed plastic wastes by pyrolysis

The pyrolysis products obtained from a variety of mixed plastics containing PVC have been investigated. While hydrochloric acid is the major chlorinated product produced by PVC pyrolysis, other chlorinated hydrocarbons are produced. However, the composition and yield of these compounds are very much dependant upon the other polymers present in the plastic mixture. In the case of a polymeric waste stream containing inorganic fillers, such as calcium carbonate, the HCI produced by the PVC can be neutralized insitu, leading to the production of inorganic chlorides, alleviating many of the concerns associated with HCI formation.