Pyrolysis process for reclaiming desirable materials from vehicle tires

摘要

A process and system for the recovery of desirable constituent materials from vehicle tire pieces through pyrolysis. The system includes a pyrolysis section that is divided into a plurality of individual heating zones. Each of the heating zones is heated to a distinct operating temperature that is independent from the operating temperature of the remaining heating zones. Vehicle tire pieces are fed into the infeed end of the pyrolysis section by a rotatable feed cylinder that includes a screw-like flight extending from the inner wall of the feed cylinder. As the feed cylinder rotates, the flight directs the supply of vehicle tire pieces into the infeed end of the pyrolysis section. The pyrolysis section includes a rotary kiln that is divided into the plurality of heating zones. The vehicle tire pieces are fed through the plurality of heating zones in the rotary kiln from the infeed end of the rotary kiln to the discharge end of the rotary kiln, such that the tire pieces are pyrolyzed as they traverse the rotary kiln. A rotatable trommel is coupled to the discharge end of the rotary kiln to separate the pyrolyzed tire pieces into their constituent desirable materials.