Steam gasification of multiwire LiYCY type electrical cable

Abstract

Original, non-separated pieces of the LiYCY cable (with multilayer metal/plastic (copper/PVC) structure) were gasified by steam in an excess at atmospheric pressure. Conversion of the gaseous stream was enhanced by catalytic bed of original granulated material, prepared from aluminosilicate (local clay) and calcium carbonate. In the process metal (Cu) preserved unchanged form of cords and braids and was quantitatively separated (49 % of original mass of the cable). Non-metal components (51 % of original mass of the cable) were converted to a slightly sintered non-metallic powder (3.3 % of original mass of the cable) and gaseous phase. Condensation of steam facilitated elimination of tars and oils as well as hydrochloride from the gas. It was estimated that only 5 % of carbon (from the cable components) was retained in the cooling/condensing line, mostly as water non-soluble phases. Efficiency of absorption of hydrochloride by catalytic bed and aqueous condensate was almost the same (but only 50 % of estimated total chlorine quantity was finally balanced).