The heat transfer efficiency during the pyrolysis process is a key factor to be considered in the design of pyrolysis reactors. In this study, the average apparent heat transfer characteristics of molten plastic pyrolysis in a vertical falling film reactor were explored by experiments and numerical simulation and the apparent heat transfer coefficients were determined. In addition, the temperature distribution and the thickness of the liquid film in the reactor were predicted and the influences of pyrolysis temperatures on the average apparent heat transfer coefficients were discussed. (C) 2018 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.