Valoración del combustible líquido obtenido por pirólisis térmica en reactor experimental. Caso: Recipiente HDPE de aceite de motor
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37135/ns.01.18.02Palabras clave:
Pirólisis, HDPE, Recuperación de energía, Tratamiento de desechosResumen
Este estudio evaluó los productos líquidos obtenidos por pirólisis térmica de recipientes de polietileno de alta densidad (HDPE) de aceite de motor en un reactor experimental, para la valoración de las propiedades físico-químicas y poder calorífico. Los experimentos fueron realizados con alimentación de HDPE triturado, control de temperatura y presión, y tren de condensación. En la valoración del producto se incluyó gravedad API, contenido de azufre, punto de inflamación y poder calorífico superior mediante normas ASTM (D1298, D4294, D92 y D4809). Los ensayos mostraron conversiones altas a fracción líquida para HDPE (78–89%), superiores al polietileno tereftalato (PET) bajo condiciones comparables; el destilado presentó gravedad API 27,5–28,4, azufre 186,6–327,9 mg/kg, punto de inflamación ≈30 °C y PCS ≈46 MJ/kg. Estos resultados confirman la viabilidad energética proveniente del aceite pirolítico y evidencian que la reducción de carga en el reactor mejora la conversión por efectos de transferencia de calor. Se concluye que el combustible requiere acondicionamiento (elevación del punto de inflamación y reducción de azufre) antes de su uso directo. Finalmente, los residuos locales de recipiente de HDPE pueden convertirse, en condiciones controladas, en un combustible líquido de alto contenido energético, aportando una ruta factible para la valorización del residuo y el aprovechamiento energético en el contexto local y regional.
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