A sample of tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO), supplied by Bevan Recycling from
their pilot plant, was analysed according to boiling point distributi
on. G.c.-m.s. analysis of < 275 degrees C (TPO-) and > 275 degrees C (
TPO+) fractions revealed the presence of a large number of mainly arom
atic compounds with a high degree of alkyl substitution and negligible
hydrogen donor content. Dissolution experiments using Point of Ayr co
al were carried out with hydrogenated anthracene oil containing variou
s amounts of TPO and TPO+ at various temperatures. The results depende
d little on whether TPO or TPO+ was used, but the extent of dissolutio
n decreased with increasing content of TPO or TPO+. However, the reduc
tion was less than might have been expected according to the reduction
in hydrogen donor content and there was evidence that TPO and TPO+ we
re providing a good hydrogen shuttling capacity. A sample of TPO was p
rehydrogenated to produce various samples of HTPO. The extent of disso
lution with HTPO based on overall hydrogen donor content was higher th
an that produced by hydrogenated anthracene oil (HAO), probably becaus
e of the high degree of alkyl substitution in HTPO compared with HAO.
(C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.