The VEBA OEL Technologie pyrolysis process

Abstract Pyrolysis in indirectly heated rotary kilns was used until 1964 in the refineries of VEBA OEL AG, Gelsenkirchen. The pyrolysis vapours were condensed and the pyrolysis oils produced were upgraded in hydrogenation plants to obtain market products. In order to further develop this technology a pilot plant was built and put into operation at the beginning of 1984. As a result of a trial program of several years using non-distillable residues from crude oil and coal tar processing, it was demonstrated that the VOT pyrolysis process could meet the present technical requirements and the environmental protection regulations. A first commercial application of the VOT pyrolysis process is scheduled for coaltar pitch. A pyrolysis unit with a throughput rate of 9 t/h and downstream calcination of the pyrolysis coke is presently under construction. To determine the product composition and product quality, bench scale tests with different waste materials were carried out [1]. Within the framework of feasibility study a plant design for the commercial utilization of mixed plastics containing PVC was carried out. The investment and operating costs were also ascertained. The study showed that the pyrolysis of mixed plastics in connection with the hydrogenation of the pyrolysis oils was both an economically and an environmentally interesting alternative.