Thermal degradation of polystyrene

Thermal degradation of plastic wastes offers the possibility of recovering energy and useful chemicals. Polyethylene and polypropylene pyrolysis have been discussed already in previous works (E. Ranzi, M. Dente, T. Faravelli, G. Bozzano, S. Fabini, R. Nava, V. Cozzani, L. Tognotti, J. Anal. Appl. Pyrol., 40–41 (1997) 305–319 and T. Faravelli, G. Bozzano, C. Scassa, M. Perego, S. Fabini, E. Ranzi, M. Dente, J. Anal. Appl. Pyrol., 52 (1999) 87–103). This paper aims to develop a detailed kinetic model of polystyrene thermal degradation. The predictions of overall rates of degradation and volatile product distribution are compared with experimental results obtained by different authors at different pressure and temperature conditions. In order to reduce the computing times required by the numerical integration of the kinetic model, a flexible lumping procedure has also been introduced.