Sulzer PyroCon™: Rapid Quenching Technology Powering Pyrolysis Oil Purification

Introduction

One of the critical hurdles in advanced plastic recycling via pyrolysis is efficient quenching the fast cooling of hot pyrolysis vapors to prevent secondary reactions and degradation. Sulzer’s PyroCon technology delivers breakthrough rapid condensation and anti-fouling design, boosting both product quality and process reliability.

How PyroCon™ Technology Works

• Ultra-Fast Quenching:

  PyroCon rapidly cools pyrolysis gases immediately after they’re generated, halting unwanted chemical reactions and protecting product integrity.

• Anti-Fouling & Extended Uptime:

  Innovative internal designs and liquid recirculation prevent solid build-up, dramatically reducing maintenance and downtime.

• Flexible Construction:

  The use of standard stainless steels allows for cost-efficient installation and operation, even under high-temperature pyrolysis conditions (up to 600°C).

  
  

Key Benefits of Sulzer PyroCon

Feature	Benefit
Rapid vapor quenching	Maximizes recovery of valuable oil; limits by-products
Anti-fouling design	Less unplanned shutdown, lower maintenance costs
Higher process yields	More oil and hydrocarbons for downstream purification
Modular and scalable	Deploys easily in both new and existing plants
Industry-proven results	Operating at leading facilities (Quantafuel, Indaver, Carboliq)
Multi-feed compatibility	Handles polyolefins, polystyrene, PMMA, bio-wastes

Applications and Performance

• Plastics Processed:

  Handles tricky feeds, such as PE, PP, PS, PMMA, and contaminated streams, as well as biomass residues.

• Commercial Success:

  PyroCon is installed at top European pyrolysis plants, delivering higher yields and less downtime compared to conventional quenching systems.

  
  

Why PyroCon™ Sets a New Standard

• Reduced Product Degradation:

  By stopping undesirable reactions instantly, PyroCon ensures the final pyrolysis oil is of higher quality more suitable for further purification into naphtha, diesel, aromatics, and other valuable products.

• Supports a Circular Economy:

  Enhances the viability and profitability of advanced recycling processes, helping divert plastic and biomass waste from landfills and fossil-based production.

  
  

Example Process Flow

1. Hot plastic and/or biomass vapors exit the pyrolysis reactor.

2. PyroCon chamber instantly quenches the vapors, condensing them into liquids while minimizing solids and by-products.

3. Stabilized liquid hydrocarbons move on for purification (e.g., removal of sulfur, chlorine, and further distillation).

   
   

Conclusion

Sulzer’s PyroCon is a game-changer for anyone purifying pyrolysis oil from mixed plastic or biomass waste. It delivers superior oil yields, cleaner product quality, and robust, low-maintenance performance empowering the next generation of advanced recycling and circular economy initiatives.