Pyrolysis oil has garnered wide attention due to its potential applications across various industries. As research into pyrolysis deepens, understanding whether pyrolysis oil is classified as light or heavy oil becomes helpful in unlocking its full value.
Knowing API Gravity to Distinguish Heavy Oil and Light Oil
The primary factor in differentiating heavy and light oil is its API gravity which measures the density of petroleum liquids relative to water. Higher API gravity indicates lighter oil (flows more easily). Lower API gravity indicates heavier oil (more viscous, thicker).
Computational formula: API Gravity=141.5/Specific Gravity−131.5 (Where Specific Gravity is the ratio of the oil’s density to the density of water at 60°F.)
Reference: The water’s API gravity is 10° API (serves as the baseline). Oils with an API gravity higher than 10° are lighter than water and will float, while oils with an API gravity lower than 10° are heavier and sink.
Light Oil VS Heavy Oil
Light Oil
- API Gravity: Higher than 31.1°.
- Characteristics: Light oils are less dense and have a lower viscosity. They generally contain higher amounts of hydrocarbons that are easier to refine, making them more valuable in the market.
- Common Products: Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and other high-value petroleum products.
Heavy Oil
- API Gravity: Lower than 22.3°.
- Characteristics: Heavy oils are denser and more viscous. They often require more complex refining processes to convert into usable products. They tend to have higher concentrations of sulfur and metals.
- Common Products: Asphalt, heavy fuel oil, and other lower-value products that require more extensive processing.
So, Is Pyrolysis Oil Light or Heavy?
Pyrolysis oil from tyre/oil sludge/plastic pyrolysis plant contains both light and heavy oil fractions. It cannot be strictly categorized as either light or heavy oil, as it may exhibit characteristics of both. Let’s find some evidence for this.
- Density, Viscosity, API Gravity: Typically, pyrolysis oil has a higher density and viscosity compared to light oil, resulting in a lower API gravity. This demonstrates properties more akin to heavy oil.
- Higher Economic Value: The light fractions in pyrolysis oil allow it to be used as a feedstock for refining lighter fuels, such as gasoline or diesel. The heavy fractions make it suitable for use as industrial fuel in factories like boilers and power plants. This high economic value seems akin to light oil.
Thus, now we understand that pyrolysis oil cannot be simply classified as either light or heavy oil. It represents a unique type of oil that bridges the gap between light and heavy oil.
Implications for Stakeholders in the Pyrolysis Field
Understanding the characteristics of pyrolysis oil opens up broader research opportunities for enhancing its value. For instance, control condensation temperatures to separately collect heavy and light oil fractions during pyrolysis. This may involve designing adjustments such as adding additional storage tanks, instruments, and temperature sensors to the pyrolysis plant.