Ground Tire Rubber Regeneration Through Interpenetrating Elastomer Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively transform end-of-life tire rubber into a commercially viable product with properties similar to virgin composite rubber, limiting its reuse in new tire production and other applications.
Innovation Solution
A process involving an interlinked substitution method using an aqueous chemical solution and an electromagnetic-mechanical system to realign sulfur bridges in vulcanized rubber particles, creating a crosslink-realigned, monolithic structure with an interpenetrating elastomer network, suitable for reuse in tire manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground tire rubber particles are used directly, then recycling is simple and cost-effective, but the resulting product properties are inferior to virgin rubber and cannot be used in new tire production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of ground tire rubber through controlled oxidation and sulfidic metathesis reactions. These chemical transformations alter the molecular weight distribution and crosslink density, converting low-value ground rubber into a material with properties matching virgin rubber, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple recycling and product quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite materials by combining ground tire rubber particles with specific chemical agents (oxidizing agents and sulfur compounds) to form a new material system. This composite approach allows the recycled rubber to achieve virgin-like properties through chemical reinforcement and restructuring, addressing the quality deficiency of simple recycling
2Reliability
If extensive chemical processing is applied to restore rubber properties, then product quality approaches virgin rubber, but processing time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-oxidizing the ground tire rubber particles before the main sulfidic metathesis reaction. This preparatory oxidation step activates the rubber structure, making it more receptive to subsequent sulfur incorporation, thereby reducing the overall processing time and chemical requirements while achieving virgin-like properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous processing where ground rubber particles undergo oxidation and sulfidic metathesis in a continuous flow system rather than batch processing. This continuity eliminates idle time between steps, maintains optimal reaction conditions throughout, and significantly improves processing efficiency while maintaining product quality
3Adaptability or versatility
If ground rubber is used in current applications, then market demand is met, but the rubber cannot be reused in new tire production due to degraded properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to transform the molecular characteristics of ground rubber through controlled chemical reactions. By adjusting oxidation levels and sulfur content, the rubber's tensile strength, elongation, and other performance parameters are restored to virgin levels, enabling reuse in new tire production while maintaining adaptability to various applications
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process recovers up to 70% of natural rubber, enabling the production of tires and other rubber products with properties equivalent to those made from virgin rubber, addressing the challenge of recycling and reusing end-of-life tire rubber.
Implementation Method 1
introducing an aqueous slurry comprising vulcanized rubber particles and an organometallic compound into an electromechanical reactor configured to generate a phase space environment with cavitation, so as to induce delamination of a rubber matrix within the vulcanized rubber particles as coordinated with disrupting sulfidic linkages
Implementation Method 2
electromechanical reactor configured to generate a phase space environment with cavitation, so as to induce delamination of a rubber matrix
Implementation Method 3
The resulting rubber, subjected to interlinked substitution, exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated
Data Source
AI summary
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.