Fuel Properties of Tire Pyrolysis Liquid and Its Blends with Diesel Fuel

Pyrolysis is becoming a promising alternative to tackle the waste disposal problem related to used tires as well as for the production of alternative liquid fuels. However, the practical applicability of the products obtained from waste tire pyrolysis has been rather limited. This work aims to increase the knowledge about some key properties of the tire pyrolysis liquid (TPL) obtained in a continuous auger reactor on pilot scale, and its blends with diesel fuel (D). Kinematic viscosity, density, heating value, oxidation stability, lubricity, water content, cold filter plugging point (CFPP), and smoke point have been measured for different TPL/D blends. Values for both pure fuels and blends have been compared to the requirements established for diesel fuel (standard EN 590) and to other TPL properties data reported in literature. Additionally, the flash point, the distillation curve, the calculated cetane index (CCI), and the total acid number (TAN) have also been determined for the pure fuels. These properties show the useful window for the utilization of TPL because they indicate its quality as a fuel in diesel engines or other power systems. Mixing rules for calculating some key properties of TPL/D blends as a function of TPL content have also been used in order to model the blend behavior.