Waste tyres are typical rubber-based wastes generated across various industrial sectors such as transport, mining and agriculture. In 2023–2024, Australia generated an estimated 537,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres. Waste tyres consist of rubber, metal, textile, plastics and various additives, making them non-biodegradable and unsuitable for conventional disposal methods. Sustainable recycling methods are required to manage waste tyres for a circular economy. Pyrolysis is a thermochemical process operating at 300–800 °C under an inert atmosphere, producing high-value char and oil products with minimal pollutant emissions. It is regarded as one of the promising waste management methods due to its capabilities in energy and material recovery, pollutant emission control and waste volume reduction. Waste tyres are ideal feedstocks for liquid fuel and value-added chemical production via pyrolysis. Typically, waste tyres produce 22–65 wt.% oil during pyrolysis depending on pyrolysis conditions. The tyre pyrolysis oil possesses a high calorific value of 40–46 MJ/kg, which is comparable to that of commercial diesel. However, the tyre pyrolysis oil has high sulfur content, which largely limits its direct applications as liquid fuels. Novel technologies are urgently required to produce high-quality pyrolysis oil from waste tyres.
Aim
This project aims to develop advanced methods for the production and upgrading of waste tyre pyrolysis oil, enabling its direct use as low-carbon liquid fuels in various sectors. During waste tyre pyrolysis, the majority of sulfur species are released into the volatiles. The project will first understand the sulfur release and transformation mechanisms during waste tyre pyrolysis in various pyrolysis reactor systems. Then, an auger pyrolysis reactor with a staged condensation system will be employed to collect different fractions of tyre pyrolysis oil, and the sulfur species in different oil fractions will be characterised using a series of advanced techniques. Based on the sulfur species and distribution in different oil fractions, novel upgrading technologies will be developed for effective desulfurisation of waste tyre pyrolysis oil.
Objectives
This project will achieve the following objectives:
- Investigate the effect of pyrolysis conditions on the sulfur distribution in various pyrolysis products using different pyrolysis reactor systems;
- Understand the sulfur release and transformation during waste tyre pyrolysis, including the primary and secondary reaction mechanisms;
- Characterise the sulfur species in different oil fractions collected from waste tyre pyrolysis with a staged condensation system;
- Develop effective desulfurisation technologies for different oil fractions from waste tyre pyrolysis with a staged condensation system.
Significance
This project will advance the upcycling technologies for the management and processing of waste tyres to produce low-carbon liquid fuels in Australia, thus significantly contributing to circular economy and sustainable development. It will also help Australia achieve its national waste action plan goal by 2030, and greatly decarbonise the waste and transport sectors.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a self-motivated PhD candidate with excellent academic track record, and strong problem-solving and experiment skills. Candidates with research experience in pyrolysis are desired for this project. Must be eligible to enrol in PhD programs at Curtin.
This project is open to Domestic applicants only.
Scholarship
If you are identified as the preferred candidate for this project, you may be considered for an RTP scholarship.
Enquires and How to Apply
For enquires about this opportunity contact Dr Yun Yu at Yun.Yu@curtin.edu.au
To formally apply submit an Expression of Interest to Dr Yun Yu during the Central Scholarship round (July 1st – July 31st 2026)