Device and process for the recovery of increased volumes of pure terpenes and terpenoids from scrap polymers and elastomers

Abstract

A device and process for the vacuum pyrolization of scrap tires to produce a pyrolytic oil from which valuable terpenes such as limonene and pulegone may be extracted and purified.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 860,524 filed on Apr. 10, 2013 that claimed the benefit of priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 622,149 filed on Apr. 10, 2012. This application claims all applicable benefits from both of those applications for all purposes, including the priority filing date(s) from those applications, and both of those applications are incorporated by reference herein as if fully stated.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The continuing accumulation of used tires is one of the worst solid waste problems facing industrialized countries. It is estimated that North America discards approximately one used tire per person per year. The incineration of tires is both costly and complex, while stockpiling used tires is the subject of growing concern. Moreover, the possibility of tire fires on...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The technology described here provides a combination of a concept totally new to the concept of extraction of value from oils derived from pyrolysis of scrap while preserving the valuable carbon black solids. This combination yields high concentrations of highly valued fragrance and essential oils that are known for their unique solvent properties, their usefulness as precursors for pharmaceuticals, odor masking capabilities and “green” character in ultimate disposal. The most obvious example of application of these steps is recovery of terpenes and terpenoids from pyrolysis of scrap tires. It achieves maximum value recovery from the oils, the solids (carbon black and metal) and the gas (light hydrocarbons).

[0008]The technology described here provides a combination of a concept totally new to the concept of extraction of value from oils derived from pyrolysis of scrap while preserving the valuable carbon black solids. This combination yields high concentrations of highly valued fragrance and essential oils that are known for their unique solvent properties, their usefulness as precursors for pharmaceuticals, odor masking capabilities and “green” character in ultimate disposal. The most obvious example of application of these steps is recovery of terpenes and terpenoids from pyrolysis of scrap tires. It achieves maximum value recovery from the oils, the solids (carbon black and metal) and the gas (light hydrocarbons).

[0009]Scrap rubber or similar materials are heated under vacuum and in the presence of a compound which, upon heating, decomposes into an active species which accelerates the de-vulcanization and decomposition of the polymers and elastomers in the scrap. As the temperature of the raw material-catalyst mixture rises further, valuable compounds are vaporized. The reactor is designed such that there are exhausts in the immediate region to carry away vapors, but by the point in the reactions, the catalyst has decomposed and the catalytic species is directly in contact with the melting materials. Therefore, the catalyst precursor cannot be carried away by escaping vapors.

Problems solved by technology

The continuing accumulation of used tires is one of the worst solid waste problems facing industrialized countries.

The incineration of tires is both costly and complex, while stockpiling used tires is the subject of growing concern.

Moreover, the possibility of tire fires on these sites poses an ever-increasing threat to the environment.

However, the concentration is low.

Attempts to separate the terpenes via distillation have been counterproductive because the heat required for distillation results in decomposition of the most valuable terpenes, such as limonene.

Simply reducing the pressure of the distillation results in very high costs from large columns and long processing residence times. Also, there is great difficulty in separating odiferous mercaptans, and complications from sulfur content, water content and solids.

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