Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

A process for extracting fuel products from waste rubber, comprising the steps of subjecting the waste rubber to pyrolysis to produce a pyrolysis vapour, subjecting the pyrolysis vapour to a condensation step to produce a pyrolytic oil having a boiling point range of 45-400° C. and a flash point below 25° C., and then subjecting the pyrolytic oil to a vacuum steam stripping step so as to recover a fraction having a first composition having a flash point above 55° C., a boiling point range starting at 140° C. or higher, a density at 15° C. of less than 990 kg/m.sup.3, a total acid number TAN of up to 12, a styrene content of less than 3000 ppm, and an organic halogen (as Cl) content of less than 50 ppm, and a second composition having an initial boiling point not exceeding 75° C. under atmospheric pressure, a density at 15° C. of greater than 790 kg/m.sup.3, a benzene content of at least 1.25 vol %, an existent gum (washed) content greater than 10 mg/100 ml, an organic halogen (as Cl) content of less than 50 mg/kg, and a colour Raw oil of less than 5.0.

A method of combining rubbers and plastics when injection molding, and compositions usable in injection molding, are shown and described. Comminuted rubber from waste tires and waste plastics including any of high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene are combined and heated to melt at least the plastics. In one optional approach, both are melted. Plastics comprise from twenty to eighty percent by weight of the mixture, with rubber accounting for the balance. The mixture may be fortified with bonding, compatibilizing, and strengthening agents. The compositions may be cooled and pelletized for immediate use in injection operations.

An apparatus and process for thermally de-manufacturing tires and other materials. The apparatus is a retort chamber with various zones in which tires are combusted to provide energy for the thermal depolymerization reaction, depolymerization takes place, and products leave the retort chamber. In one embodiment, the process reacts water with iron present in steel-belted tires to produce hydrogen, which helps to break sulfur-sulfur bonds in vulcanized materials. The water also helps control the temperature of the reaction, which allows for control over the types and relative amounts of the various depolymerization products.

An apparatus and process for thermally de-manufacturing tires and other materials. The apparatus is a retort chamber with various zones in which tires are combusted to provide energy for the thermal depolymerization reaction, depolymerization takes place, and products leave the retort chamber. In one embodiment, the process reacts water with iron present in steel-belted tires to produce hydrogen, which helps to break sulfur-sulfur bonds in vulcanized materials. The water also helps control the temperature of the reaction, which allows for control over the types and relative amounts of the various depolymerization products.

Vents and micro-structures of rubber molds may become clogged with rubber that is difficult to remove. These vents and micro-structures can be cleaned of rubber, even if heat aged, by subjecting the mold to high temperatures in the presence of a solvent to devulcanize any rubber present. If the rubber used with the mold being cleaned includes carbon black, a solvent may be used to dissolve the devulcanized polymer, leaving the carbon black which can be removed by water jets or other cleaning means.

Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

A new Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strain as well as a process for bacterially devulcanizing sulphur-vulcanized rubber particles and devulcanized rubber particles obtainable by the process.

A process for extracting fuel products from waste rubber, comprising the steps of subjecting the waste rubber to pyrolysis to produce a pyrolysis vapour, subjecting the pyrolysis vapour to a condensation step to produce a pyrolytic oil having a boiling point range of 45-400° C. and a flash point below 25° C., and then subjecting the pyrolytic oil to a vacuum steam stripping step so as to recover a fraction having a first composition having a flash point above 55° C., a boiling point range starting at 140° C. or higher, a density at 15° C. of less than 990 kg/m.sup.3, a total acid number TAN of up to 12, a styrene content of less than 3000 ppm, and an organic halogen (as C1) content of less than 50 ppm, and a second composition having an initial boiling point not exceeding 75° C. under atmospheric pressure, a density at 15° C. of greater than 790 kg/m.sup.3, a benzene content of at least 1.25 vol %, an existent gum (washed) content greater than 10 mg/100 ml, an organic halogen (as Cl) content of less than 50 mg/kg, and a colour of less than 5.0.

A process and apparatus for the continuous preparation of silicone rubber base compositions as well as the resulting compositions produced therefrom. This disclosure aims to cover a new continuous manufacturing process for making silicone rubber base compositions using an in situ silica treatment. The new continuous manufacturing process uses twin-screw extruder (TSE) technology.