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]Not applicable.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 these sites poses an ever-increasing threat to the environment. On the other hand, tires represent a source of energy and chemicals. By thermal decomposition, it is possible to recover useful products in an environmental friendly way.[0004]The presence of terpenes in “Py-oil” or rubber pyrolysis oil has been known for decades. However, the concentration is low. Attempts to separate the terpenes via distillation have been counterproductive because the heat requi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The technology described in the patent text is a new way to extract valuable oils and compounds from scrap materials using a process called pyrolysis. This process combines a new technique with existing methods to achieve a high concentration of valuable oils and solids while also collecting the gas produced during the process. The main application of this technology is the recycling of scrap tires, but it can also be used for other rubber and polymer materials. The process uses a heated reaction with a compound that breaks down the polymers and elastomers in the scrap, allowing the valuable compounds to be vaporized. The reactor design ensures that the catalyst used in the process is not carried away by escaping vapors, resulting in a more efficient process for extracting valuable oils.

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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