Refining PLASTIC into GASOLINE & DIESEL - Distilling Pyrolysis Oil Part 3

Summary

In this video, the creator distills pyrolysis oil using an upgraded distillation setup, including a slow-heating low-pressure burner and a taller, packed column for better fractionation. Over the course of several hours, they separate different fractions, ranging from low-grade gasoline to diesel-like oils, examining their properties and conducting burn tests to assess their combustibility. The video highlights the varying qualities of each fraction, their burning characteristics, and the potential for using pyrolysis oil in engines. The experiment demonstrates how pyrolysis oil can be refined into usable fuel components through careful distillation and fractionation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The distillation setup has been significantly improved with a taller column packed with stainless steel wool and a low-pressure burner for slower heating.
• 😀 The pyrolysis oil being distilled is dark, with a nice viscosity and an orange tint, indicating promise for fuel extraction.
• 😀 Using the new low-pressure burner allows for slower heating, which is crucial for efficient distillation and separation of fractions.
• 😀 The distillation process begins around 160°F (73°C), with the first fraction resembling gasoline, and progresses through various temperature ranges to extract different fuel types.
• 😀 Throughout the process, multiple fractions are collected, ranging from low-grade gasoline to what seems to be diesel-like fuel.
• 😀 Distillation is conducted over several hours, with temperature rising to 325°F (163°C), and results in different fuel qualities, including what looks like diesel at higher temperatures.
• 😀 After an eight-hour distillation, the fractions are categorized: crude pyrolysis oil, low-grade gasoline, mid-grade gasoline, high-grade gasoline, and diesel-like fuel.
• 😀 The crude pyrolysis oil is dark and impure, while the fractions produced show significant variation in color, clarity, and vapor pressure.
• 😀 Various burn tests reveal that the fractions burn differently, with some lighting easily like gasoline and others requiring a wick to ignite, especially the diesel-like fractions.
• 😀 The final diesel-like fractions (380°F - 430°F) are darker and require more effort to ignite but burn with high calorific value, resembling diesel fuel in performance.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the distillation process in this video?

The main goal of the distillation process is to separate different fractions of pyrolysis oil, aiming to produce fuel components such as gasoline and diesel by heating the oil and collecting it at various temperatures.

Why was the distillation setup changed for this episode?

The distillation setup was changed to improve efficiency. The distiller was made taller and packed with stainless steel wool to enhance the separation of fractions. Additionally, a better low-pressure burner was used to allow for a slower heating process, which is crucial for proper distillation.

What was the purpose of changing the flasks during the distillation process?

The flasks were changed to ensure that each fraction of the pyrolysis oil was collected separately. Each temperature range produced different fractions, and changing the flask allowed the distiller to maintain a distinct separation between these fractions.

What is the significance of the temperature range during distillation?

The temperature range is crucial for separating the different fractions of pyrolysis oil. Each fraction (gasoline, diesel, etc.) is produced at specific temperatures, and controlling the heat ensures that each fraction is collected at the correct stage of distillation.

How does the viscosity and color of the pyrolysis oil change during the distillation process?

As the distillation progresses, the viscosity and color of the oil fractions change. The initial pyrolysis oil is dark and thick, but as the fractions separate, the colors lighten, with some fractions appearing golden, amber, or clear, indicating their distinct compositions.

Why does the pyrolysis oil contain sludge at the bottom when poured?

The sludge at the bottom is likely a heavier component of the pyrolysis oil, which contributes to the dark color. This heavier material could be a mix of solid impurities and other byproducts of the pyrolysis process.

What causes some fractions to burn more easily than others?

Fractions with higher flammable vapor content ignite more easily. For example, the low-grade gasoline fraction burns quickly, while higher-grade fractions or those with more diesel-like properties require higher flashpoints and more effort to ignite.

Why did the high-grade gasoline fraction not burn as easily as the low-grade fraction?

The high-grade gasoline fraction likely has a lower vapor pressure compared to the low-grade fraction. Gasoline burns more effectively when vapors are produced, and the high-grade fraction produced less vapor, leading to a harder ignition.

What did the author observe about the diesel fractions in terms of burn characteristics?

The diesel fractions, especially those above 340°F (171°C), were harder to ignite and required a wick to start burning. Once lit, they produced a calorific flame, indicating they had properties similar to diesel fuel, which is known for its higher flashpoint.

What was the final test conducted with the two-stroke engine, and what was its outcome?

The final test involved running the two-stroke engine on a mixture of pyrolysis oil and two-stroke oil to observe how well it performed. The engine ran, but the test aimed to examine how the pyrolysis oil fractions affected engine performance, including potential smoke production and efficiency.