Evaluation of Waste Tire Devulcanization Technologies
(INTERNAL REPORT)
CENTERPLASTICS
COMPOUND & ADDITIVES
Feb.2011 - M.S. Laura Fontana - Centerplastics Enterprise, Ltd
Eastern Industrial Road, zip. 516127, Shiwan Town, Boluo Area,
Huizhou, DongGuan, GuangDong, P.R.China
PPH
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Approximately 25 potential devulcanization technology researchers and developers were identified throughout the world, however, only a very small number of devulcanization systems are now operating. These are primarily small-capacity systems, which are devulcanizing natural or synthetic rubbers (as opposed to devulcanizing the mixture of rubbers recovered from waste tires). The general types of devulcanization technologies identified and analyzed in the study are shown below. Technology Basis of Processing Zone of Reaction
Chemical Chemicals/chemical reactions Surface of particles
Ultrasonic Ultrasonic waves Throughout particles
Microwave Microwaves Throughout particles
Biological Microorganisms Surface of particles
Other Mechanical
Steam
Surface of particles
Key findings
· Reliable information and data on devulcanization of waste tire rubber are difficult to obtain due to proprietary claims, efforts to hide poor or infeasible process performance and product quality, and the limited number of technology researchers and developers and of peer-reviewed data. Reliable data relating waste tire characteristics, devulcanized rubber quality, end product performance, and production costs is scarce.
· Only a very small number of low-capacity devulcanization systems are operating in the United States (at approximately 50 Kg /hr, all R&D scale, mechanical, or ultrasonic). No proven commercial capacity units could be found that are currently devulcanizing waste tires, for example, at 500 Kg/hr or greater. The likely reasons include insufficient product quality and high costs of production.
· In terms of the potential of producing high-quality devulcanized rubbers (for example, high strength), the
CENTERPLASTICS
COMPOUND & ADDITIVES
Feb.2011 - M.S. Laura Fontana - Centerplastics Enterprise, Ltd
Eastern Industrial Road, zip. 516127, Shiwan Town, Boluo Area,
Huizhou, DongGuan, GuangDong, P.R.China
PPH
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Approximately 25 potential devulcanization technology researchers and developers were identified throughout the world, however, only a very small number of devulcanization systems are now operating. These are primarily small-capacity systems, which are devulcanizing natural or synthetic rubbers (as opposed to devulcanizing the mixture of rubbers recovered from waste tires). The general types of devulcanization technologies identified and analyzed in the study are shown below. Technology Basis of Processing Zone of Reaction
Chemical Chemicals/chemical reactions Surface of particles
Ultrasonic Ultrasonic waves Throughout particles
Microwave Microwaves Throughout particles
Biological Microorganisms Surface of particles
Other Mechanical
Steam
Surface of particles
Key findings
· Reliable information and data on devulcanization of waste tire rubber are difficult to obtain due to proprietary claims, efforts to hide poor or infeasible process performance and product quality, and the limited number of technology researchers and developers and of peer-reviewed data. Reliable data relating waste tire characteristics, devulcanized rubber quality, end product performance, and production costs is scarce.
· Only a very small number of low-capacity devulcanization systems are operating in the United States (at approximately 50 Kg /hr, all R&D scale, mechanical, or ultrasonic). No proven commercial capacity units could be found that are currently devulcanizing waste tires, for example, at 500 Kg/hr or greater. The likely reasons include insufficient product quality and high costs of production.
· In terms of the potential of producing high-quality devulcanized rubbers (for example, high strength), the