With its triple advantages of volume reduction, harmlessness, and resource utilization, pyrolysis of rubber tyres is becoming a sustainable solution to the waste tire problem, giving “black waste” a green life.
Amidst global industrialization and the widespread adoption of automobiles, rubber tires have become a crucial cornerstone of modern transportation, but they have also given rise to the problem of “black waste.” According to statistics, over 1.5 billion scrap rubber tyres are generated globally each year. Traditional landfill and simple incineration methods no longer meet modern environmental protection needs.
Pyrolysis of rubber tyres is a chemical process that breaks down large organic molecules into smaller molecules in an oxygen-free or oxygen-deficient environment at high temperatures (typically 300°C to 800°C). For rubber tyres, pyrolysis avoids the generation of harmful gases such as dioxins from direct incineration. Tyre pyrolysis plant converts waste rubber tyres into valuable products, including fuel oil, carbon black, syngas, and steel wire.
Rubber tire to oil pyrolysis plant is an environmental protection equipment with great potential. It transforms environmental burden into economic resources and provides a sustainable solution to the global waste tire disposal problem.
Continuous Pyrolysis Process of Waste Tyres
Pre-treatment: Waste tyres are shredded into small pieces using a shredder. This process increases the contact area for the reaction and improves pyrolysis of rubber tyres efficiency. The steel cord in the tires is separated using a magnetic separator and recovered as a by-product.
Feeding: The pre-treated rubber blocks are fed into the pyrolysis reactor via a closed conveyor system. The entire tire pyrolysis process must be kept out of the air as much as possible to prevent oxidation.
Pyrolysis Reaction: The pyrolysis reactor is heated to the target temperature (typically between 450°C and 500°C). In an oxygen-deficient environment, the long-chain polymers in the tires break down into smaller molecules.
Syngas is produced, containing methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. The oil-gas mixture evaporates to form steam.
Product Condensation and Separation: The oil and gas vapors from the reactor enter the condensation system, where they are mostly cooled and liquefied into pyrolysis oil.
The non-condensable portion is the combustible gas, which is typically recovered to provide heat for the pyrolysis reactor, achieving energy self-sufficiency and reducing operating costs.
After the reaction is complete, the solid residue remaining in the reactor is pyrolysis carbon black (CB) and a small amount of inorganic matter.
Product Post-Treatment: The crude pyrolysis oil may require further sedimentation and filtration to remove impurities. Pyrolysis carbon black typically undergoes grinding, pelletizing, and modification to enhance its quality and application value.
The tyre pyrolysis plant uses sealed pyrolysis equipment and tail gas treatment systems to control pollutant emissions, truly achieving a “zero waste” resource cycle.
Pyrolysis Of Rubber Tyres in Batch Pyrolysis Plant
The above is the pyrolysis process of waste tyres in a continuous pyrolysis plant. For batch pyrolysis plants, the waste tires do not need to be pre-treated.
The batch pyrolysis equipment adopts a large furnace door design that can accommodate the entire tire. After the pyrolysis of rubber tyres is completed, the steel wire will remain in the reactor and can be removed after cooling.
Pyrolysis technology is not only an effective solution for solid waste management, but also a crucial link in promoting the circular economy of “resources – products – waste – renewable resources.” Pyrolysis plants can transform discarded tires into energy. This is driven by technological and equipment innovations and the deep integration of environmental protection concepts.
Against the backdrop of global sustainable development, the tire pyrolysis industry is undergoing profound changes. The pyrolysis of rubber tires is gradually transforming and upgrading from traditional extensive methods to highly efficient, environmentally friendly, and intelligent methods.
