Pyrolysis of scrap tires using the Tosco II Process: a progress report

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6488574

Schulman, B L; White, P A

The processing of scrap tires became of interest because of the high oil yield obtained from the decomposition of the rubber - about 150 gallons per ton, compared to 30 to 35 gallons per ton for oil shale. At that time, carbon black had approximately the same value as oil and, although it was known that the carbon black was recovered in good quality, its contribution to the potential economics was modest. In 1974, both carbon black and oil prices rose sharply, and later operations focused more closely on the carbon black product. After a series of pilot plant investigations, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Tosco entered into a program to define the commercial potential of the tire program. A major part of this effort was to construct and operate a 15 tons a day pilot plant specifically designed for pyrolyzing scrap tires and develop the appropriate techniques to recover the valuable liquid and carbon black materials in a suitable commercial form. The pilot plant has been operating since early 1977 in various stages. A series of tests has been made in key areas to define the key operating parameters and critical elements in several areas which can affect the process economics: (1) tire shredding, including separation of steel from rubber feed; (2) pyrolysis operations, (3) oil recovery; and (4) carbon black recovery and handling. This series of tests has identified major leads to improving the various areas to maintain product quality, increase capacity and maintain high carbon black recovery of good quality. Several simplifications of the mechanical equipment for solids and liquids handling have been made to the unit. Operations are continuing in 1978 to define optimum process conditions, demonstrate long term equipment operability and make large tonnage samples of carbon black for commercial evaluation.

• Research Organization: Tosco Corp., Golden, CO
• OSTI ID: 6488574
• Report Number(s): CONF-780305-P8
• Conference Information: Journal Name: ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States) Journal Volume: 76
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
CARBON
CARBON BLACK
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMMERCIALIZATION
DATA
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUIDS
FUELS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GASES
INFORMATION
MATERIALS HANDLING
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OIL YIELDS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PILOT PLANTS
PRODUCTION
PYROLYSIS
PYROLYSIS PRODUCTS
PYROLYTIC GASES
PYROLYTIC OILS
RECOVERY
SYNTHETIC FUELS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TIRES
TOSCO PROCESS
YIELDS