Can plastic be turned back into oil?

Yes, plastic can indeed be turned back into oil through a process called pyrolysis. This involves breaking down plastic waste into its constituent hydrocarbons under high temperatures and in the absence of oxygen. The resulting product is often pyrolysis oil that can be directly used as heating fuel or further refined into diesel for various uses.

Waste plastic turns back to oil technology

Key Steps in the Pyrolysis Process of Turning Plastic Into Oil

Shredding: Plastic waste is first shredded into smaller pieces to increase the surface area for reaction.

Pyrolysis Reactor: These shredded plastics are then fed into a pyrolysis reactor where they are heated to temperatures. This waste plastic shredding process is necessary for semi-continuous and fully continuous types of plastic pyrolysis machines, but not for batch type one.

Cracking Process: The heat causes the long polymer chains in plastics to break down into shorter hydrocarbon chains, producing syngas, oil vapors, and solid residues.

Condensation:The oil vapors are condensed into oil through a condensation system.

Types of Plastics for Pyrolysis Into Oil

DOING plastic pyrolysis machine is suitable for processing various types of plastic waste and can produce high-quality pyrolysis oil and non-standard diesel.

Suitable Plastics: PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), ABS, and other kinds of mixed plastic materials like aluminum plastic, paper mill scrap, acrylic，household plastic solid waste are ideal for pyrolysis due to their high hydrocarbon content.

Unsuitable Plastics: PVC and PET are not suitable for pyrolysis as they release harmful substances like chlorine gas when heated.

Types of plastics for pyrolysis to oil

End Products and Further Processing

Pyrolysis Oil: The liquid fraction obtained from plastic pyrolysis machine is a synthetic crude oil, often referred to as "plastic pyrolysis oil." Pyrolysis oil is widely used in industrial settings such as cement plants, power plants, and iron and steel plants as fuel.

Distillation: To produce higher-quality fuels like diesel, the pyrolysis oil undergoes distillation, catalysis, deodorization and decolorization. This process separates the oil into lighter and heavier components, similar to refining petroleum. With further processing, pyrolysis oil can be converted into diesel for use.

Plastic to diesel processes

In conclusion, through pyrolysis, plastic can be turned back into oil. DOING Company offers advanced pyrolysis and distillation machines designed to turn plastic waste back into oil while maximizing efficiency and gaining benefits. If you want to learn more or you want to start a plastic to oil business, welcome to contact us, we will provide you with professional services.