Microwave–metal interaction pyrolysis of polystyrene

A novel method for the pyrolysis of waste polystyrene was investigated which was based on high temperature by microwave–metal interaction. This interaction may also catalyze the pyrolysis process and affect the nature of products. Polystyrene was rapidly pyrolyzed under microwave while placing in a batch type reactor containing a cylindrical mesh of iron. The iron mesh generates heat in the range of 1100–1200 °C which converts polystyrene into 80% liquid, 15% gas and 5% char residue. The liquid product was collected using cold traps and the amount of gas was obtained by taking difference. The liquid product was analyzed using GC/MS and found that it contains styrene in addition to polycyclic aromatics and condensed ring aromatic compounds. The products formation is also discussed.