PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR DECOMPOSITION OF POLYMER PRODUCTS INCLUDING THOSE CONTAINING SULPHUR SUCH AS VULCANISED RUBBER TYRES AND RECOVERY OF RESOURCES THEREFROM

摘要

A method and apparatus for pyrolytic destruction of polymer products including whole vehicle vulcanised rubber tyres is disclosed. The apparatus 111 has a reaction chamber 153 into which a tyre can be placed, and immersed for pyrolytic decomposition in a molten alloy of zinc with a minor proportion of aluminium. The apparatus 111 has a heated reservoir 155 in which the alloy is maintained in a molten state, and from where it can be transferred to the reaction chamber 153 to immerse the tyre. Fluid hydrocarbon byproducts are drawn off for condensation and recovery, and solid zinc sulphides are also recovered. Where steel belted tyres are processed, carbon and steel residues are also recovered.