How can onsite nitrogen generation help with recycling tyres? While tyre pyrolysis makes great business and environmental sense, there is a reason why in recent times in India, the CPCB has had to take strict action against units that failed to comply with pollution norms. In fact, in January 2024, the CPCB prohibited use of nitrogen cylinders in TPO units and mandated the use of nitrogen generators. It’s time to explore the benefits of onsite nitrogen generation.
Two sides of tyre pyrolysis
In recent years, tyre pyrolysis - the recycling of used tyres into carbon black, fuel oil, syn gas and metal through thermal decomposition - is an operation that has taken off across India. On the one hand it looks like a responsible way of dealing with end-of-life tyres that would otherwise pile up in landfills. On the other hand, emissions from the process are highly polluting.
Worldwide, tyre pyrolysis is the preferred technology for recycling tyres but that's only when environmental guidelines are being observed. As of 2022, only 46% of TPOs in India complied with existing pollution control norms (according to a DownToEarth article). In fact, in November 2022, the National Green Tribunal directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to close all TPOs that failed to comply with environmental norms.
Since emissions from tyre pyrolysis units are harmful to both the environment and human health, the recommendation is for the units to use new, cleaner production systems. More recently in January 2024, the CPCB mandated that all waste tyre recyclers use nitrogen generators for their tyre pyrolysis reactors while prohibiting use of pre-filled nitrogen cylinders. This is a good time to investigate the benefits of onsite nitrogen generators. Spoiler: you save on more than just operating costs!
The advantages of onsite nitrogen generators
Not only do nitrogen cylinders take up a lot of floor space, they present a significant safety risk. Further, the delivery service can be expensive, tank replacement leads to downtime and labor costs, and the associated contracts can be restrictive. Onsite nitrogen generators are a winning alternative on many fronts.
1. Purity control: The gas company that supplies nitrogen usually sets it at a specific purity level for all customers, regardless of individual requirement. Higher purity comes at a higher cost. With onsite nitrogen generation, consumers are free to set their desired level of purity, which means cost savings. But regardless of the purity level, the payback is notable.
2. Reductions: Since onsite nitrogen generation means nitrogen is available on demand, it eliminates the need for downtime that is experienced when cylinders need to be switched. Onsite nitrogen also means reduction in the need for storage space.
3. Increased safety: Nitrogen cylinders are typically heavy (upwards of 50 kilos) and filled with high pressure gas – this presents a security risk. Also, nitrogen in liquid form presents the risk of burns. These risks increase considerably when the cylinders need to be transported.
4. Cost savings: Onsite nitrogen generation eliminates the overhead of cylinder rental fees. It also gives protection from price fluctuations, unfavorable contract negotiations, material fees and taxes.
5. Environment: Elimination of the production and delivery phases for delivering each cylinder, eliminates carbon emissions of delivery transport. Also, by avoiding the return of partially filled tanks, as well as any gas bleed-off/venting before tank return, onsite nitrogen generation reduces waste at the facility.
Conclusions
When done right, tyre pyrolysis reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and feeds into the circular economy by recovering gas oil, carbon black and steel. When carried out sustainability with the use of onsite nitrogen generators like Atlas Copco NGP 10 with F series air dryer, UD+ dust filter and line filter, it reduces operating costs and ensures you stay on the right side of the law protecting the environment and human health.
To learn more about generating nitrogen onsite at your facility with Atlas Copco’s onsite nitrogen generators — while both saving money and reducing downtime — visit https://www.atlascopco.com/en-in/compressors, WhatsApp us or call Atlas Copco toll free. We offer a range of reliable nitrogen generators that can efficiently and effectively meet all of your onsite nitrogen production needs.
