Development of a process to
recycle used tires and waste rubber is an enormous national problem
facing the tire and rubber industry. Waste tires made of high
quality rubber represent a large potential source of raw material
for the rubber industry. When tires and waste rubbers are
devulcanized, they can be reprocessed, shaped and revulcanized in
much the same as virgin rubber.
Our novel patented (US Pat.
5284625, 5258413, ) process and two reactors have been developed
for the devulcanization of waste rubbers and plastics. The
technology is based on the use of high power ultrasonics. Ultrasonics
waves of certain levels, in the presence of pressure and heat rapidly
break down the three dimensional network in crosslinked rubbers.
The first experiments were carried out in extruders with an
ultrasonic die attachment. This prototype of our ultrasonic
reactors for both plastics and rubbers were scaled up to 50lb/hr
level. The scope of materials with this state-of-the-art technology
includes all kinds of rubbers such as GRT (Ground Rubber Tire),
SBR, NR, Silicone rubber, EPDM, etc. and crosslinked thermoplastics
like crosslinked PE, EVA, etc. their blend systems, and thermosets
such as polyurethane, SMC, etc. Many scientific papers have
been published and active studies are under way concerning the improvement
of the process and development of its theoretical description. More
sophisticated and powerful new experimental setups are about to
be launched based on our experience and available know-how.
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