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Sulzer launches new pyrolysis quenching technology to enhance plastic and biomass waste reduction

| By Mary Bailey

Sulzer Ltd. (Winterthur, Switzerland) has launched the new PyroCon technology, which rapidly cools the gases emitted during pyrolysis, a process that heats and liquefies plastic without oxygen, limiting harmful pollutants. The resulting pyrolysis oil can be then used as a fuel or refined to produce valuable chemicals. PyroCon’s rapid cooling (quenching) of the pyrolysis gases prevents further chemical reactions and potential product degradation, improving quality and yield for the circular economy and helping to reduce plastic waste.

Drawing on its success at Indaver’s Plastics2Chemicals plant in Belgium, and the legacy of its plastic waste projects at Quantafuel (Denmark) and Carboliq (Germany), Sulzer is proud to add PyroCon, its new rapid condensing technology for biomass and plastic pyrolysis, to its portfolio of chemical technology solutions.

PyroCon addresses key critical operational challenges including anti-fouling technology, low maintenance design, flexible capacity and feedstocks, ranging from polyolefins (PP/PE) and polystyrene (PS) to bio-mass waste residues. The solution is further designed to allow optimal reaction control for pyrolysis processes by rapidly quenching pyrolysis products, leading to increased yields.

PyroCon optimizes superheated vapor condensation through unique liquid recirculation in a compact design capable of handling up to 600°C vapor inlet temperatures, joining other Sulzer Chemtech solutions that are essential to promoting circularity for solvents, chemicals, and plastics.

“We are continually striving to improve efficiencies and create value for our clients,” said Tim Schulten, President of Sulzer Chemtech. “Our new PyroCon technology effectively ensures the integrity of the plastics and bio-waste pyrolysis process, making it a valuable technology for sustainable waste management and energy recovery.”