Abstract:
A process and apparatus for comminuting rubber particles. In this process and apparatus rubber particles at a temperature below the glass transition temperature are introduced into a comminuting device concurrent with the introduction of an inert gas coolant at a temperature below about −75° F. The rubber particles are comminuted in the comminuting device at a rate proportional to the average particle size of the introduced rubber particles to an average size within the range of crumb or powder rubber particles.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for reducing vehicle tires includes a feed mechanism for transferring flattened tire treads into a shearing assembly which includes a rotating shear assembly. The shear assembly is comprised of a rotating arbor supporting a stack of a plurality of cutting plates having cutting inserts extending therefrom in a variable helical pattern. The inserts rotate past an anvil edge, and the sharp edges of the inserts shear the infeeding edge of the tire tread. The inserts are replaceable, and the spacing of the cutting head and anvil edge is variable to optimize the shearing action.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a material processing apparatus. The apparatus includes a frame including a pair of laterally opposed parallel sides and a base, and at least a first pair of substantially cylindrical material processing rolling assemblies, wherein each pair of rolling assemblies are driven by a hydraulic drive motor assembly, such that using the hydraulic drive motors, the rolling assemblies can be driven at a variable friction ratio.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a material processing apparatus. The apparatus includes a frame including a pair of laterally opposed parallel sides and a base, and at least a first pair of substantially cylindrical material processing rolling assemblies, wherein each pair of rolling assemblies are driven by a hydraulic drive motor assembly, such that using the hydraulic drive motors, the rolling assemblies can be driven at a variable friction ratio.
Abstract:
A self cleaning cutting assembly is provided, having an array of counter rotating cutters in which a plurality of cutters rotating in a first direction are mounted on a first shaft and a plurality of second cutters are mounted on a second shaft for rotating in an opposite direction. The array of cutters is provided with a plurality of clearing or cleaning rings located alternately with the cutters on each shaft. The cutting array is kept clear of debris or partially cut material by movement of the clearing or cutting rings against adjacent cutters. Movement of the clearing or cleaning rings is a combination of rotary motion and linear motion, in which the linear motion is imparted by the cutter located opposite the cleaning ring striking the cleaning rings so as to push the cleaning ring beyond the position of the widest part of the cutter to completely dislodge material from the cutter.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for reducing vehicle tires includes a feed mechanism for transferring flattened tire treads into a shearing assembly which includes a rotating shear assembly. The shear assembly is comprised of a rotating arbor supporting a stack of a plurality of cutting plates having cutting inserts extending therefrom in a variable helical pattern. The inserts rotate past an anvil edge, and the sharp edges of the inserts shear the infeeding edge of the tire tread. The inserts are replaceable, and the spacing of the cutting head and anvil edge is variable to optimize the shearing action.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods of disintegrating or reducing the particle size of elemental materials, such as various forms of carbon, and organic crystals that contain minerals and that do not contain minerals. The method include the steps of entraining the material in a gas flow through an inlet of a housing, subjecting the flowing material to a plurality of alternating pressure increases and decreases within the housing, disintegrating the flowing material with the pressure increases and decreases, thereby reducing the mean particle size of the material, and discharging the disintegrated material though an outlet of the housing.
Abstract:
A method for recovering elastomeric material such as rubber from tires comprising the steps of soaking the tires in a mixture of an oil and a volatile solvent to soften the rubber, subjecting the softened tires to shear conditions in a separator having at least two pairs of counter rotating rollers mounted one above the other. The recovered rubber can be carbonized in a microwave chamber to produce carbon and oil.
Abstract:
A system and method for cooling a material with liquefied natural gas where liquefied natural gas and the material to be cryogenically cooled are brought into direct or indirect contact and cooled material and a combination of liquefied natural gas and natural gas are removed. Cooling may also employ an intermediate cooling medium such as a refrigerant or nitrogen. In the case of converting rubber in tires to rubber crumb, cooling of the products of a hammer mill and a fine grind mill by nitrogen subsequent to the cooling of nitrogen by a refrigerant and the refrigerant by liquefied natural gas converts shredded tires into recyclable rubber crumb.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method are described for creating rubber crumb from rubber vehicle tires. The method provides for the soaking of a vehicle tire in a solvent, removal of the tire from the solvent, movement of the tire by a conveyor to an apparatus that applies physical pressure to the tire, while situated upon a circular screen which allows the physical pressure applied to fragment the tire into its component parts, pressing the rubber components through the screen with any remaining liquid and allowing the non rubber components to be removed for recycling purposes or to be discarded. The apparatus applies physical pressure to separate the rubber and non rubber components from one another.