pyrolysis

[pahy-rol-uh-sis]

noun

Chemistry.

1. the subjection of organic compounds to very high temperatures.

2. the resulting decomposition.

pyrolysis

/ ˌpaɪrəʊˈlɪtɪk, paɪˈrɒlɪsɪs /

noun

1. the application of heat to chemical compounds in order to cause decomposition

2. chemical decomposition of compounds caused by high temperatures

Other Word Forms

• pyrolytic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrolysis¹

First recorded in 1885–90; pyro- + -lysis

Example Sentences

It acknowledged for the first time that it's "highly likely" that a proportion of tyres from the UK are diverted to illegal pyrolysis as opposed to being recycled.

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UK tyres are ending up in these Indian pyrolysis plants, despite legitimate official paperwork stating they are headed for legal Indian recycling centres.

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While others in the field have attempted to break tire materials down using high heat, through a process known as pyrolysis, 6PPD is stubborn and the diketone molecules remain in the oil left behind.

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ProPublica explored the most popular form of chemical recycling, pyrolysis; we found it is so inefficient that it yields products with almost no actual recycled content.

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The EPA did not comment directly on the policy’s implications for pyrolysis or mass balance.

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