Hot Solution To A Large Problem

Dr. Christian Roy is a chemical engineer at Univeriste Laval in Quebec. Over the last ten years Dr. Roy has developed an entirely new process that uses temperatures between 400 ^oC and 500 ^oC to break down industrial waster in the absence of air, transforming them into safe and useful chemicals.

The process is called "vacuum pyrolysis." Vacuum pyrolysis is defined as high-temperature decomposition under reduced pressure. Everyone today is concerned about recycling and pollution prevention. This Canadian scientist is putting technology to the environment’s advantage. Vacuum pyrolysis is allowing the natural oils of fossil fuels to remain preserved and it is doing this by transforming large amounts of waste, like tires, into oil.

Instead of tires filling up our landfills they are being put through vacuum pyrolysis where 60% by mass is converted into oil. From this oil an organic material called naphta is extracted and used in gasoline. Limonene, normally from lemons, is also found in this oil and it can be used as a strong non-toxic solvent. The residue that is left over from the distillation process is used is asphalt.

This process is not limited to tires. Wood and even contaminated soil can be cleaned up for future use. This is all looking very good for the future of the environment and it shows that science and technology can work for the environment instead of working against it. This process also looks very hopeful for Canada’s oil industries; they are constantly seeking out technologies that can transform feedstock into valuable specialty chemicals.

One of the greatest challenges in chemical engineering is to scale up laboratory inventions to near commercial size operations and Dr. Roy was able to do so. To further develop and commercialize this vacuum pyrolysis technology Dr. Roy has founded a company by the name of Pyrovac International Ltd. In Quebec City. This technology has also gone through licensing in the United Stated and France and further agreements are being discussed with Belgium, Italy and Holland.