Tyres recovery with thermodynamic cracking technology

The complex nature of tyres, which include several rubbers, carbon blacks, steel cord and other organic and inorganic minor components, makes it difficult to recycle them. Furthermore, the main component of tyres, rubber, is a chemically cross-linked polymer and, therefore, is neither fusible nor soluble and, consequently, cannot be remoulded into other shapes without serious degradation. Even thought, this is a preliminary study and it is necessary to operate the machinery for a longer time in duration stress tests, the results are encouraging and further improvements are expected. This trial showed that with this plant it is possible to obtain about 50% cracking oil ready to be burnt into a power diesel generator. Another product obtained during the test has been a gaseous fraction accounting for about 30% suitable for energy recovery. Moreover, the process produced a solid carbon powder which could be used as carbon black or for energy recovery.