Pyrolysis offers a promising path to valorize difficult-to-recycle plastic waste. However, harmful contaminants present in such waste streams (e.g., halogens, metals, and nitrogen compounds) can cause equipment corrosion, catalyst deactivation, and compromise product quality. We are developing and evaluating innovative technologies to remove these contaminants in-situ during pyrolysis and ex-situ from the resulting vapor and liquid pyrolysis products.
The EngD will perform desktop studies related to process design and optimization, techno-economic evaluations, and screening of purification technologies.