We built and tested our first prototype. We are lucky to both work in research laboratories and so we got some discarded vacuum parts and Swagelok tubing.
The first prototype with top connectors
The reactor body is made from vacuum equipment that is directly connected to the Swagelok tubing.
For heating, we got a weed burner powered by propane gas. This will eventually be replaced with a universal burner that can burn part of the produced pyrolysis oil.
For our first trial, we only pyrolyzed cleaned plastic waste made from polypropylene, mainly old yogurt beakers.
The produced oil condenses at room temperature. To collect the liquid we used an old olive jar and some Swagelok connectors. Unfortunately this later showed not to be gas-tight.
Flammable gas is produced alongside the pyrolysis oil. We will later use this gas for heating.
