Pyrolysis Oils (WPPO & TPO)
Enabling Sustainable Energy and Circular Economy with Advanced Characterization Services
At V-TIC Services, we support innovation and compliance across the fuels and petrochemical industries with specialized testing of Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Oil (WPPO) and Tire Pyrolysis Oil (TPO). As global demand grows for sustainable solutions and circular economy practices, our laboratory delivers high-precision analysis to help clients optimize feedstocks, meet regulatory expectations, and unlock the value of waste-derived oils.
What is WPPO and TPO?
Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Oil (WPPO) is derived from polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and mixed hard-to-recycle plastics. It serves as a feedstock for fuels, steam crackers, and petrochemical manufacturing.
Tire Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) is produced from end-of-life tires, offering a valuable route to recover energy and raw materials from natural rubber and synthetic polymers.
Both oils are classified as UVCBs (Unknown or Variable Composition, Complex Reaction Products or Biological Materials) and require advanced, multi-parameter testing to assess their suitability for industrial use.
Our Testing Capabilities
1. Comprehensive Hydrocarbon Composition Analysis
High-Temperature Gas Chromatography with Vacuum Ultraviolet Detection (VUV-GC, ASTM D8519) and Mass Spectrometry, to identify and quantify:
- Saturates, olefins, styrenes, aromatics and polyaromatics
2. Elemental and Impurity Characterization
Our labs provide precise analysis of elemental content to assess processability, safety, and environmental impact:
- Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen (CHNO) analysis via combustion techniques
- Trace metal content, sulfur, halogens (Cl, Br), and other contaminants
- Oxygenated compounds including phenols by GCMS
- Organic acids by GCMS
3. Stability and Reactivity Testing
Understanding storage behavior and process safety is critical for WPPO and TPO:
- Polymerization and aging studies simulate long-term storage conditions
- Thermal stability and volatility analysis guides steam cracking and fuel usage suitability
4. Distillation and Assay Services
We simulate industrial distillation (ASTM D86/D1160) to fractionate pyrolysis oil:
- Define boiling range distribution
- Aid in yield estimation for light naphtha, kerosene, diesel-like fractions
- Feedstock optimization for hydrocracking or FCC units
5. Total Acid Number (TAN) & Strong Acid Number (SAN)
TAN and SAN testing reveals the acidity level of WPPO or TPO, which influences:
- Corrosivity in storage and process units
- Blending ratios with standard fuels
- Compatibility with refinery or marine fuel systems
6. Halogens:
Halogens, particularly chlorine and bromine, are a critical concern in pyrolysis oils, and their presence has significant negative consequences. While some industrial processes might intentionally use halogen-containing compounds, their presence in pyrolysis oils derived from waste materials (like plastics) is generally considered a contaminant that must be managed and minimized.
Combustion Ion Chromatography methods (ASTM D7359) are often used to determine total halogen value, giving no information about individual compounds. Where as Gas Chromatography Electrolytic Conductivity Detector (GC-ELCD) helps to determine individual fluorides, chlorides and bromides concentrations.
7. Biogenic Carbon Content:
The determination of biogenic carbon content is important for some of the pyrolysis oils like Tire Pyrolysis Oils. Since tire is a mixed feedstock, the resulting pyrolysis oil (TPO) is also a mixed product. Regulators and policymakers especially in regions with carbon-credit programs, need to know the exact breakdown of this mixture to properly classify and incentivize the fuel.
ASTM D6866 provides accurate biobased/biogenic carbon content results to materials whose carbon source was directly in equilibrium with CO2 in the atmosphere a the time of cessation of respiration or metabolism such as harvesting of a crop or grass living its natural life in a field. We work with our partner labs and researchers, provide most accurate results.
Industry Applications
Our testing services empower stakeholders across multiple sectors:
- Petrochemicals: Enhance feedstock flexibility for steam crackers and polymer units
- Refining: Evaluate WPPO and TPO as blendstocks for FCC, hydroprocessing, or hydrogenation
- Marine and Industrial Fuels: Validate compliance with ISO 8217 specs and other fuel standards
- Environmental Compliance: Support REACH, EU directives, and circular economy initiatives
Partnering for a Circular Future
As the market shifts toward sustainable materials and decarbonization, V-TIC Services supports producers, blenders, and traders of pyrolysis oils with:
- Fast turnaround times
- International method compliance (ASTM, ISO, EN)
- Consulting on feedstock quality, product specification, and process optimization
We are committed to delivering reliable, actionable data that helps our clients achieve their sustainability goals while making better use of plastic and tire waste.