TPO Refined Oil Fractions
A three-fraction breakdown of Tyre-derived Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) after distillation — light gasoline-range, diesel-range middle, and heavy oil — with boiling range, characteristics, and commercial applications for each.
| Fraction | Boiling Range | Characteristics | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (Gasoline Range) | ~150–250°C | Light hydrocarbons, lowest viscosity | Blended with petrol, solvent, small furnace fuel |
| Middle (Diesel Range) | ~250–370°C | Closest to commercial diesel | Industrial burner fuel, diesel generators, boilers |
| Heavy Fraction | >370°C | High-viscosity fuel oil | Road construction, heavy furnaces, feedstock for further upgrading |
Beyond definitions
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How to read this table
- Each row is one distilled fraction; columns show boiling range, physical characteristics, and commercial applications.
- Fractions are listed in ascending boiling range order — lower boiling range means lighter, lower-viscosity product.
- These fractions are produced only when a distillation unit is added to the plant — plants without distillation sell raw undistilled TPO, which is a blend of all three fractions.
About this table
Raw Tyre-derived Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) is not a single product — it is a mixture of hydrocarbon fractions that can be separated by distillation into three commercially distinct products. This table maps the three fractions by boiling range, physical characteristics, and the applications each fraction can access after separation.
The Light Fraction (approximately 150–250°C boiling range) contains the lowest-molecular-weight hydrocarbon compounds in the TPO — lighter aromatic compounds, naphthenes, and some limonene. Its lowest viscosity of the three fractions makes it suitable for blending with petrol or naphtha, or use as an industrial solvent. Small furnace and burner applications can also use light fraction directly. However, this fraction typically has the lowest calorific value of the three and is the smallest volume fraction of raw TPO from tyre pyrolysis — typically 10–20% of total oil by volume. The Middle Fraction (approximately 250–370°C) is the diesel-range product and the highest-value fraction commercially. Its boiling range overlaps significantly with commercial diesel fuel, and it can be used as industrial burner fuel in diesel generators and boilers — applications that are tolerant of slightly different fuel specifications from petroleum diesel. In India, directly selling pyrolysis diesel-range oil as vehicle fuel requires additional certification and blending compliance under petroleum regulations; most Indian pyrolysis operators sell the middle fraction to industrial buyers for process heating rather than vehicle fuel.
The Heavy Fraction (above 370°C) is the highest-viscosity, lowest-value fraction. Its applications include road construction uses (as a bitumen modifier or extender), heavy industrial furnace fuel, and as feedstock for further upgrading in refinery operations. The heavy fraction's high viscosity means it must be handled and transported at elevated temperature — adding operational complexity and logistics cost compared to the lighter fractions.
Key insights
- The diesel-range middle fraction (250–370°C) is the highest-value product from TPO distillation — industrial buyers for process heating are the primary Indian market for this fraction.
- Direct vehicle fuel use of pyrolysis diesel-range oil requires regulatory compliance pathways not yet fully defined in India — most operators sell to industrial heating applications to avoid this compliance uncertainty.
- The heavy fraction (above 370°C) must be handled at elevated temperature — this operational requirement increases storage and transport cost compared to the lighter fractions.
- A plant without distillation sells raw TPO — all three fractions blended — at a lower price per litre than the distilled fractions would command individually, but without the capital and operating cost of the distillation column.
Methodology & sources
Boiling range values are typical for TPO from tyre pyrolysis at standard atmospheric pressure. Actual TPO composition varies with tyre feedstock mix (car vs truck vs OTR), reactor temperature, and operating conditions. The fractions shown are broad categories; actual distillation can produce narrower cuts at additional complexity. Commercial selling prices for each fraction vary with local market conditions — verify with buyers in your specific market before designing a distillation configuration.
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