Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Science & Technology, Environment Conservation

In News

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has pulled up 270 tyre pyrolysis units in 19 States for employing technology that is polluting and harmful to the health of the workers employed.
• The CPCB has reported that there were 637 units in 19 States of which 251 units were compliant, 270 non-compliant and 116 were closed.
• Tyre pyrolysis refers to a technique of breaking down used tyresin the absence of oxygenat temperatures between 250o C and 500o C. Shredded tyres produce liquid oil and gases.
• While this is considered a safer technique than burning tyres, pyrolysis leaves fine carbon matter, pyro-gas and oil as residue and the inadequate management of these by-products poses health risks

Do You Know?

• India is also a recipient of used tyres from Australia and the U.K., which are sent for recycling and disposal.
• As of 2016-17, official estimates indicate 127.34 million tyres were produced in India, which was seen to be a 12% increase from the previous year. 
• The National Green Tribunal in 2014 prohibited used tyres from being burnt in the open or being used as fuel in brick kilns, because of the toxic emissions. However, it allowed for pyrolysis technique to be employed for used tyre disposal.