waste tire recycling

production line for recycling old tires:

"The lifecycle of an old tire does not end at the scrapyard but rather transitions into a series of processes designed to extract value and utility from what would otherwise be considered waste. The journey begins with the collection of used tires, typically gathered from various sources including automotive repair shops, vehicle dealerships, and municipal waste facilities.

Upon arrival at a specialized recycling facility, the tires are first inspected to ensure they meet the criteria for recycling, removing any that are contaminated or unsuitable. The tires then move onto the de-beading process, where a machine cuts off the bead—the stiff wire that holds the tire onto the wheel—making it easier to handle and process further.

Next, the tires are fed into a powerful shredder that slices them into smaller chunks known as 'shreds' or 'chunks.' These pieces are subsequently fed into a granulator, which grinds them down into even smaller particles called 'crumbs' or 'rubber crumb.' During this phase, steel belts and fiber remnants are separated from the rubber using magnets and air classifiers, respectively.

The resulting rubber crumbs are often subjected to cryogenic freezing, a process where liquid nitrogen is used to cool the rubber down to extremely low temperatures. This makes the rubber brittle and easier to crush into fine granules. After the freezing process, the rubber is passed through another set of grinders to produce the desired particle size.

Once the granules have been produced, they undergo a thorough cleaning process to remove any remaining contaminants such as dust, dirt, or remaining steel fibers. Washing and drying the granules ensures they are free of debris and ready for reuse.

The final product, clean and consistent rubber granules, can be utilized in a variety of applications. They are commonly used in the manufacturing of new rubber products, including playground surfaces, athletic tracks, and industrial mats. Additionally, some granules are used in asphalt mixes to improve road resilience or as fuel (tire-derived fuel) in cement kilns and other industrial furnaces.

Throughout the recycling process, stringent environmental controls are implemented to manage emissions and waste water, ensuring the process complies with environmental regulations and contributes positively to sustainability efforts."