Abstract: This application describes a continuous method of removing polyvinyl chloride insulation or other volatilizable material from items such as copper wire without producing undesirable by-products. The method involves the pyrolysis of the insulation on the wire in a fluidized bed reactor charged with small particles of calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate reacts with the gaseous chlorine from the insulation to produce calcium chloride which then is collected and can be used for snow removal, road construction, and the like. After removal of the insulation, the copper wire is cooled and cleaned. The products of combustion are passed through an afterburner to a HCl scrubber containing CaCO.sub.3 where any remaining chlorine is reacted with calcium carbonate to produce CaCl.sub.2. The application also describes apparatus for moving the items across the heated reactor.

Abstract: This application describes a continuous method of removing polyvinyl chloride insulation or other volatilizable material from items such as copper wire without producing undesirable by-products. The method involves the pyrolysis of the insulation on the wire in a fluidized bed reactor charged with small particles of calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate reacts with the gaseous chlorine from the insulation to produce calcium chloride which then is collected and can be used for snow removal, road construction, and the like. After removal of the insulation, the copper wire is cooled and cleaned. The products of combustion are passed through an afterburner to a HCl scrubber containing CaCO.sub.3 where any remaining chlorine is reacted with calcium carbonate to produce CaCl.sub.2. The application also describes apparatus for moving the items across the heated reactor.