What rubber products can be treated by pyrolysis equipment?

Pyrolysis is a highly efficient method for recycling rubber products, especially those that are difficult to process using conventional mechanical recycling techniques. The method involves heating rubber in the absence of oxygen to break it down into valuable byproducts such as pyrolysis oil, carbon black, steel wire (in the case of tires), and non-condensable gases.

Used Tires (Car, Truck, Motorcycle, Aircraft Tires)

Used tires, including those from cars, trucks, motorcycles, and aircraft, are the most commonly processed rubber products in pyrolysis. This is due to the large volume of waste tires generated and their complex composition, which makes mechanical recycling challenging.

Industrial Rubber Waste

Industrial rubber waste encompasses conveyor belts, gaskets, seals, hoses, and other heavy-duty rubber components used in manufacturing and mining. These materials typically have a high rubber content and calorific value, making them suitable for pyrolysis to produce significant amounts of oil and carbon black.

Rubber Gloves (Latex or Nitrile)

Rubber gloves, primarily made of latex or nitrile rubber for medical and industrial use, can also be processed via pyrolysis. Although their thin structure and low volume may result in relatively low pyrolysis efficiency, they can be mixed with other rubber waste for processing. This approach helps address the issue of waste glove disposal while maximizing resource utilization.

Rubber Soles and Shoe Parts

Discarded shoes, particularly soles made from synthetic or natural rubber, can be thermally decomposed through pyrolysis to recover usable materials. These materials can be repurposed in the production of low-grade rubber products like floor mats and rubber shoes, reducing waste and lowering production costs for manufacturers.

Rubber Seals and Gaskets

Rubber seals and gaskets are commonly found in automotive, marine, and industrial equipment. These components typically have a high rubber content and good pyrolysis performance. For example, pyrolysis of automotive rubber seals can produce oil with stable properties and high-quality carbon black, which can be reused in the rubber industry to manufacture seals and other rubber products, achieving resource recycling.

Synthetic Rubber Scrap

Synthetic rubber scrap includes leftover or defective pieces from rubber manufacturing plants, such as EPDM, neoprene, and silicone rubbers. These materials have complex molecular structures and high calorific values, making them ideal for pyrolysis to extract hydrocarbons and solid residues.

Mixed Rubber Waste

Mixed rubber waste from various sources, such as post-consumer or post-industrial waste, can also be processed using pyrolysis equipment. However, due to the diverse types and compositions of mixed rubber waste, proper sorting and pretreatment are required to optimize yields and product quality.

Final Products and Output Yield of Rubber Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis Oil (35–50%): This oil can be used directly as industrial fuel to power boilers, kilns, and other equipment. With further refining, it can be upgraded to diesel fuel, offering a partial solution to energy demands.

Carbon Black (30–35%): Carbon black obtained from tire pyrolysis has excellent pigment and reinforcing properties. It can be widely applied in construction materials, such as asphalt and concrete additives, to enhance material strength and durability. It is also used in ink production to improve colorfastness and gloss. Additionally, it serves as a filler in rubber manufacturing, reducing production costs.

Steel Wire (10–15%): high-quality steel wire extracted from tires can be sold as scrap metal to steel mills for recycling, achieving resource reuse.

Non-Condensable Gas (5–10%): This gas can be recycled to fuel the pyrolysis process, reducing production costs and improving energy efficiency.

Advantages of Rubber Product Pyrolysis:

Effective Waste Management: Pyrolysis technology addresses the issue of non-biodegradable rubber waste that would otherwise occupy landfill space. This prevents environmental problems such as land resource waste and soil and water pollution caused by landfilling.

Resource Recovery: Pyrolysis converts waste rubber into usable energy and raw materials, achieving resource recycling. Pyrolysis oil can be used as industrial fuel or further refined into diesel; carbon black can be applied in construction materials, ink, and rubber production; steel wire can be recycled as scrap metal; and non-condensable gas can fuel the pyrolysis process. On the one hand, these rubber pyrolysis products can be sold directly to earn considerable profits. On the other hand, this reduces reliance on virgin resources and lowers production costs for related industries. Some boiler heating or heavy industrial enterprises even use rubber cracking equipment to produce high calorific value fuel oil and carbon black for heating use, saving the company's operating costs.

Environmental Benefits: Compared to open burning or landfilling, pyrolysis reduces pollutant emissions. Modern pyrolysis plants equipped with advanced gas treatment systems can effectively remove harmful gases, meeting environmental regulations and minimizing air and soil pollution, thereby protecting the ecological environment.

In summary, pyrolysis equipment can recycle various rubber products. By leveraging pyrolysis technology, we can tackle the challenges of rubber waste disposal, achieve resource recycling, and deliver significant economic and environmental benefits. If you are interested in starting a rubber pyrolysis business, please feel free to contact DOING. We will provide you with advanced pyrolysis equipment and professional guidance services.