Pyrolysis Technologies for Waste Oil Recycling
Summary
Waste oil, arising from automotive, industrial and agricultural operations, constitutes a significant environmental challenge yet represents a valuable resource for circular carbon use. Pyrolysis technologies exploit thermal decomposition in an oxygen-deficient environment to convert complex hydrocarbon mixtures into liquid fuels, permanent gases and char residues. Advances in reactor design, process control and catalyst development have enabled tuning of product distributions towards diesel-range hydrocarbons, with notable enhancements in conversion efficiency and energy recovery. Integration of co-processing routes, such as co-pyrolysis with plastic or biomass feedstocks, and the utilisation of by-products like hydrochar as catalysts, further enriches the sustainability and economic viability of waste oil recycling. Emerging emphasis on contaminant removal, catalyst regeneration and process scaling underscores the global drive to adopt pyrolysis as a robust pathway for waste minimisation and renewable fuel production.
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Pyrolysis Technologies for Waste Oil Recycling publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in pyrolysis technologies for waste oil recycling across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Pyrolysis: Thermal decomposition of organic material in the absence of oxygen to yield liquid, gaseous and solid products.
Catalytic cracking: Pyrolytic conversion assisted by solid catalysts to reduce reaction temperatures and direct product composition towards desired hydrocarbon ranges.
Co-pyrolysis: Simultaneous pyrolysis of waste oil with additional feedstocks, such as plastics or biomass, to improve overall yield and product quality.
Hydrochar: Carbon-rich solid derived from hydrothermal treatment of biomass, used as a catalyst or additive in pyrolysis processes.
References
- Prototype Co-Pyrolysis of Used Lubricant Oil and Mixed Plastic Waste to Produce a Diesel-Like Fuel. Energies (2018).
- Co-Pyrolysis of Low-Density Polyethylene and Motor Oil—Investigation of the Chemical Interactions between the Components. Recycling (2020).
- Rapid Waste Motor Oil Conversion into Diesel-Range Hydrocarbons Using Hydrochar as Catalyst: Kinetic Study and Product Characterization. Recycling (2024).
- Cracking of Waste Engine Oil in the Presence of Fe3O4. Energies (2023).
- Chemical Recycling of Used Motor Oil by Catalytic Cracking with Metal-Doped Aluminum Silicate Catalysts. Sustainability (2023).
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