Recycling of Hydrocarbon Waste from Thermal Power Plant: Case of the Maria Gléta Thermal Power Plant in the Republic of Benin

The elimination of hydrocarbon waste is difficult, and it is a great source of greenhouse gas emissions due to its toxicity. The study characterised oily sludge from a Beninese thermal plant and tested small-scale pyrolysis to identify conversion conditions that minimise toxic residues. Laboratory analyses quantified moisture (≈25%), sulphur (0.3%), selected heavy metals, and very high viscosity. Pyrolysis at 400˚C for 30 min produced ~70% oil + gas, 5% char and 25% water, whereas 500˚C yielded only ash. The authors recommend the 400˚C/30 min option as a practical recovery route.