Thermal Liquefaction of Waste Rubber for Eco-Friendly Plasticizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rubber industry faces challenges with petroleum-based plasticizers due to ecological concerns and limited availability of biomass for biomass-to-liquid (BTL) oils, which can lead to competition for land and resource inefficiencies when scaled up.
Innovation Solution
A process that converts high-molecular vulcanized polymer materials into low-molecular plasticizers through thermal direct liquefaction, utilizing waste rubber materials from tires and other sources, avoiding the limitations of BTL oils and maintaining the reinforcing effect of fillers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If BTL oils are used as plasticizers, then independence from petroleum is improved, but availability of raw materials deteriorates due to limited biomass and competition for land
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of discarding and recovering by converting waste rubber materials (discarded tires and rubber products) into valuable plasticizers through thermal direct liquefaction. This process recovers useful substances from waste, creating a circular economy approach that solves the availability problem by using abundant waste rubber instead of limited biomass resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful environmental problem of rubber waste disposal into a beneficial resource. By thermally liquefying waste rubber, the process transforms discarded materials that would otherwise be pollutants into valuable plasticizers, achieving both environmental protection and raw material supply.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vegetable oils are used as plasticizers, then ecological friendliness is improved, but availability and cost deteriorate due to limited quantities and high prices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the source material parameter from agricultural products (vegetable oils) to industrial waste products (waste rubber). This parameter change maintains the ecological benefit of using renewable, non-petroleum resources while solving the availability and cost issues by utilizing abundant waste streams that do not compete with food production or require intensive agricultural resources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pyrolytic processes are used to produce plasticizers, then independence from petroleum is improved, but filler reinforcement deteriorates due to loss of reinforcing effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes controlled phase transitions through thermal direct liquefaction to convert solid waste rubber into a liquid plasticizer phase while preserving the functional properties needed for filler reinforcement. The controlled thermal processing maintains the chemical structure necessary for maintaining reinforcement effects, unlike uncontrolled pyrolysis.
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
This process produces environmentally friendly plasticizers that are independent of petroleum, efficiently utilize waste materials, and maintain the physical properties of rubber products, offering a significant improvement in ecological balance and resource recovery.
Implementation Method 1
high-molecular vulcanized polymer material is converted into a low-molecular phase by thermal direct liquefaction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates a method for producing an environmentally-friendly plasticiser which is particularly suitable for use in vehicle tyres or technical rubber articles. According to the method in the invention, a vulcanised and/or unvulcanised polymer material of a high molecular weight is converted into a low-molecular phase by means of direct thermal liquefaction. An environmentally-friendly plasticiser is thus obtained which improves the eco-balance of vehicle tyres or technical rubber articles.