| Initial Equipment Price | Compare the reactor, feeding system, condensation unit, gas treatment, control cabinet, installation tools, and spare parts included in the quotation. | Indicative equipment-only ranges: batch systems of 5–10 tonnes/day: USD 80,000–180,000; semi-continuous systems of 10–20 tonnes/day: USD 180,000–350,000; continuous systems of 20–30 tonnes/day: USD 350,000–700,000. | 15% | Itemized quotation, commercial invoice format, scope-of-supply list, payment terms, and exclusions. | A very low price with no technical specifications, unclear exclusions, or major components listed as optional. |
| Capacity and Throughput | Confirm whether the advertised capacity is based on whole tyres, pre-cut tyres, steel removal, operating hours, and actual feedstock conditions. | A credible proposal should state daily input capacity, operating hours, start-up time, shutdown procedure, and expected availability. | 12% | Mass-balance calculation, process-flow diagram, operating schedule, and performance-test criteria. | Capacity is stated only as a marketing figure without feedstock assumptions or test conditions. |
| Reactor Design and Materials | Review reactor thickness, steel grade, welding quality, thermal expansion allowance, sealing method, insulation, and service access. | The reactor should be designed for continuous thermal cycling, with documented material specifications and non-destructive weld inspection where appropriate. | 15% | Material certificates, fabrication drawings, weld-inspection records, pressure or leak-test reports, and maintenance access drawings. | No material certificates, thin undocumented construction, poor weld finishing, or inaccessible high-temperature components. |
| Energy Consumption | Assess start-up fuel demand, self-heating potential, electricity consumption, insulation quality, and waste-gas recovery. | Ask for measured or calculated energy use per tonne of tyre feed, not only a general statement that fuel consumption is low. | 10% | Energy balance, fuel-consumption assumptions, burner specifications, insulation details, and gas-recycling description. | Unverified claims of zero fuel consumption or no explanation of start-up and emergency operating conditions. |
| Product Yield and Quality | Verify expected yields of pyrolysis oil, recovered carbon material, steel, and non-condensable gas under defined feedstock conditions. | Typical results vary by tyre composition and process conditions; a supplier should provide a range rather than one guaranteed universal value. | 12% | Independent laboratory analysis, sample test results, mass-balance report, and clearly defined feedstock composition. | Unusually high yield claims, no laboratory data, or results that cannot be linked to a specific test batch. |
| Emission Control and Environmental Compliance | Check gas cleaning, dust removal, flare or thermal-oxidation equipment, condensate management, noise control, and local permitting requirements. | The system should be designed around the destination country's emission limits and should include monitoring points for critical exhaust parameters. | 15% | Emission-control process diagram, equipment specifications, safety data, operating procedures, and permit-support documents. | No exhaust-treatment system, vague environmental promises, or refusal to provide emissions-related documentation. |
| Safety and Automation | Evaluate temperature and pressure monitoring, emergency shutdowns, alarms, fire protection, gas detection, interlocks, and operator access controls. | Critical process variables should be monitored continuously, with documented alarm limits and a written emergency response procedure. | 13% | Risk assessment, control-system specification, electrical diagrams, emergency-stop logic, and operator training plan. | Manual operation of critical functions, missing alarms, exposed hot surfaces, or no documented shutdown procedure. |
| Installation and Site Requirements | Confirm land area, foundation load, electrical supply, water requirements, storage areas, access roads, and local construction obligations. | The supplier should provide general arrangement drawings, utility-load data, foundation guidance, and a complete installation schedule. | 8% | Layout drawing, utility list, civil-work requirements, installation method statement, and commissioning checklist. | Unexpected civil-work costs, incomplete utility data, or unclear responsibility for installation and commissioning. |
| After-Sales Support | Review commissioning assistance, operator training, remote troubleshooting, spare-parts availability, response times, and warranty coverage. | A clear warranty, documented service process, recommended spare-parts list, and defined technical-response time should be included in the contract. | 10% | Warranty terms, service-level agreement, training agenda, spare-parts catalog, and escalation contacts. | Verbal promises only, unclear warranty exclusions, no spare-parts plan, or support limited to sales personnel. |