摘要 |
A process is disclosed for the thermal catalytic conversion of polymeric feedstocks, such as scrap tire rubber or plastics, to recover valuable hydrocarbons for reuse. The process includes the solvent washing of -6 mesh polymer feedstock to remove the stabilizing additives which have migrated to the surface of the individual polymer particles. Prior to the reaction step the washed and dried polymer particulate are blended with a metallic halide catalyst system. The mixture of polymer particulate and catalyst are continuously fed to a reactor wherein the conversion of the polymer is accomplished. The reactor and downstream process units are continuously swept by an inert gas which is maintained at just above atmospheric pressure. The combination of the reactor temperature and pressure, with the catalyst system, cause a conversion of the polymer particles to valuable gaseous hydrocarbons. The inert gas, functioning as a sparger gas, sweep the gaseous hydrocarbons from the reactor to downstream separation equipment of conventional design wherein the gaseous products are recovered for future reuse. A carbon black residue is separately recovered for subsequent processing.
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