Abstract: A method of operating a temperature-controlled K-mixer for thermally and kinetically regenerating vulcanized crumb rubber is provided. The K-mixer includes a chamber and a shaft provided with a plurality of blades. The method includes the steps of inserting a mixture of vulcanized crumb rubber and a lubricant in the chamber of the K-mixer; heating the mixture by rotating the shaft of the K-mixer until the temperature of the mixture has reached a devulcanizing or regeneration temperature; cooling the mixture by reducing the rotational speed of the K-mixer and by circulating a cooling fluid in the shaft and in channels of the blades.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for use in a temperature-controlled K-mixer is provided, along with the mixer including the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes an inner hollow shaft defining an inner passage, and an outer hollow shaft coaxially surrounding the inner hollow shaft. An outer passage extends between the inner and outer hollow shafts. The shaft also includes a plurality of blades extending from the outer hollow shaft, for mixing the material. Each of the blades is provided with channels. The inner passage, the channels and the outer passage form a continuous flow path allowing a pressurized fluid to circulate within inner and outer hollow shafts and the blades, for controlling temperature of the shafts and the blades. The channels allow a flow of the fluid in the blades in an opposite direction of a rotational direction of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a regenerated rubber, a method and an apparatus for obtaining regenerated rubbers from vulcanized crumb rubber, such as rubber from scrap. The apparatus is a thermokinetic mixer having the particularity to have an air tight stationary chamber with inner non-uniform surface. The method comprises the steps of raising the speed of the rotor shaft in order to increase a temperature of a mixture made of vulcanized crumb rubber and a lubricant, such as oil, until a devulcanizing temperature is reached; and reducing the temperature of the mixture to a lower temperature during a second period of time. The method of the invention is environmentally friendly or “green” since the regeneration method does not use chemicals, includes a shorter period of treatment at higher temperature avoiding the risks of rubber cracking and spontaneous combustion, and further allowing mass-production of regenerated rubber with lower energy consumption.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for use in a temperature-controlled K-mixer is provided, along with the mixer including the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes an inner hollow shaft defining an inner passage, and an outer hollow shaft coaxially surrounding the inner hollow shaft. An outer passage extends between the inner and outer hollow shafts. The shaft also includes a plurality of blades extending from the outer hollow shaft, for mixing the material. Each of the blades is provided with channels. The inner passage, the channels and the outer passage form a continuous flow path allowing a pressurized fluid to circulate within inner and outer hollow shafts and the blades, for controlling temperature of the shafts and the blades. The channels allow a flow of the fluid in the blades in an opposite direction of a rotational direction of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: There are disclosed a regenerated rubber, a method and apparatus for obtaining regenerated rubbers from vulcanized crumb rubber, such as rubber from scrap. The apparatus is a thermokinetic mixer having the particularity to have an air tight stationary chamber with inner non-uniform surface. The method comprises the steps of raising the speed of the rotor shaft in order to increase a temperature of a mixture made of vulcanized crumb rubber and a lubricant, such as oil, until a devulcanizing temperature is reached; and reducing the temperature of the mixture to a lower temperature during a second period of time. The method of the invention is environmentally friendly or “green”, since the regeneration method does not use chemicals, includes a shorter period of treatment at higher temperature avoiding the risks of rubber cracking and spontaneous combustion, and further allowing mass-production of regenerated rubber with lower energy consumption.

Abstract: There are disclosed a regenerated rubber, a method and apparatus for obtaining regenerated rubbers from vulcanized crumb rubber, such as rubber from scrap. The apparatus is a thermokinetic mixer having the particularity to have an air tight stationary chamber with inner non-uniform surface. The method comprises the steps of raising the speed of the rotor shaft in order to increase a temperature of a mixture made of vulcanized crumb rubber and a lubricant, such as oil, until a devulcanizing temperature is reached; and reducing the temperature of the mixture to a lower temperature during a second period of time. The method of the invention is environmentally friendly or “green”, since the regeneration method does not use chemicals, includes a shorter period of treatment at higher temperature avoiding the risks of rubber cracking and spontaneous combustion, and further allowing mass-production of regenerated rubber with lower energy consumption.

Abstract: There are disclosed a regenerated rubber, a method and apparatus for obtaining regenerated rubbers from vulcanized crumb rubber, such as rubber from scrap. The apparatus is a thermokinetic mixer having the particularity to have an air tight stationary chamber with inner non-uniform surface. The method comprises the steps of raising the speed of the rotor shaft in order to increase a temperature of a mixture made of vulcanized crumb rubber and a lubricant, such as oil, until a devulcanizing temperature is reached; and reducing the temperature of the mixture to a lower temperature during a second period of time. The method of the invention is environmentally friendly or “green”, since the regeneration method does not use chemicals, includes a shorter period of treatment at higher temperature avoiding the risks of rubber cracking and spontaneous combustion, and further allowing mass-production of regenerated rubber with lower energy consumption.