Abstract: Pre-treating a waste polyester material with dichloromethane (DCM) produces a purified polyester for reuse. The purified polyester can be recycled via any chemical or mechanical recycling process. Where the waste polyester material includes non-polyester contaminants, the DCM-treated polyester material produces a slurry that includes the DCM, a solid component that includes a polyester monomer product for reuse, and a waste liquid component where the non-polyester contaminants can be filtered from the top of the liquid component.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a tire formed of a body having multiple plies and a tread that surrounds the body. In some implementations, the plies and/or the tread include a resonator that generates a resonant signal in response to being activated by locally generated power or by an externally generated excitation signal. Multiple resonators formed of carbon-containing materials are distributed in the plies and/or tread to respond to changes to the tire by altering a characteristic of the resonant signal. Such alterations include frequency shifting of the resonant signal and/or attenuation of the resonant signal. The resonator can be configured to resonate at a first frequency when a structural characteristic of a respective ply or tread is greater than a level, and to resonate at a second frequency different than the first frequency when the structural characteristic of the respective ply or tread is not greater than the level.

Abstract: Vents and micro-structures of rubber molds may become clogged with rubber that is difficult to remove. These vents and micro-structures can be cleaned of rubber, even if heat aged, by subjecting the mold to high temperatures in the presence of a solvent to devulcanize any rubber present. If the rubber used with the mold being cleaned includes carbon black, a solvent may be used to dissolve the devulcanized polymer, leaving the carbon black which can be removed by water jets or other cleaning means.

Abstract: Processing sized fiber products to recover reinforcing fibers by removing fiber sizing material from the reinforcing fibers. The processing includes first treating the sized fiber product with a normally-liquid first solvent for fiber sizing material followed by removal of the first solvent from the first solid residue including reinforcing fibers. The removal of the first solvent from the continuous reinforcing fibers may include heating the fibers and/or second treating the first solid residue with a normally-gaseous material contacted with the solid residue under conditions of temperature and pressure at which the normally-gaseous material is in a liquid or supercritical fluid form. The processing may be performed in a continuous manner to recover the continuous reinforcing fibers in a continuous form.

Abstract: A rubber composition is based on at least an elastomer, a reinforcing filler and a crosslinking system and a crumb rubber, said crumb having an isoprene elastomer content of greater than 50 phr in the composition of the crumb and a chloroform extract with a weight-average molecular weight of less than 10 000 g/mol.

Abstract: Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

Abstract: Methods include determining a desired hysteretic curve that corresponds to a set of dynamic mechanical analysis parameters, where the desired hysteretic curve comprises elastic portions and plastic portions, and the elastic and plastic portions comprise specific desired shapes. A first tuned carbon is selected, the first tuned carbon facilitating achievement of a desired shape of a particular elastic portion of the hysteretic curve. One or more selected post-treatments is performed on the first tuned carbon to form a first post-treatment carbon, the selected post-treatment facilitating achievement of a desired shape of a particular plastic portion of the hysteretic curve. The methods also include combining the first post-treatment carbon with other materials that are used in components of the tire and curing the combination comprising the first post-treatment carbon and the other materials. Carbon and elastomer compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

Abstract: Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

Abstract: A bitumen polymer additive comprises a base of tire rubber crumbs in the amount of about 70 to about 90 percent by weight of tire rubber crumbs sized about 14 mesh or smaller. Added to that base is about 0.5 to about 5 percent by weight of a benzothiazole-based devulcanizing agent, about 0.3 to about 3 percent by weight of a C14-C18 heavy metal soap such as a zinc stearate, about 0.1 to about 3 percent by weight of an antiozonant, and about 0.1 to about 20 percent of a plasticizer such as a heavy oil. The additive polymer is used for producing an asphalt of superior quality, including lower initial viscosity and improved wear resistance.

Abstract: Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

Abstract: Elastomer compositions comprising uncured elastomer and reclaimed elastomer are described. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise reclaimed elastomer material (micronized rubber powder) of broad particle size distribution, which is less expensive than traditional reclaimed elastomer material with narrow particle size distribution. Further, compositions comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with broad particle size distribution perform comparably to those comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with narrow particle size distribution. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise both vulcanized and devulcanized elastomer materials. Advantageously, by using a combination of vulcanized and devulcanized material, it is possible to incorporate a greater percentage by weight of reclaimed material in to an elastomer composition, thus providing additional cost savings while maintaining high levels of mechanical properties.

Abstract: A method for causing used tires to recycle themselves involves chopping used tires to create a feedstock, placing the feedstock within a recycling vessel able to withstand heat and pressure, introducing a caustic agent which will isolate and neutralize or precipitate hazardous substances such as carcinogens and heavy metals, introducing a non-aliphatic hydrocarbon supercritical reactant, raising the interior of the recycling vessel to a desired temperature and pressure to cause the supercritical reactant to enter a supercritical state and effuse into the feedstock where it chemically reacts with the used tire feedstock to release hydrocarbons and other materials from the used tire feedstock, and precipitously dropping pressure within the recycling vessel so that the supercritical reactant exits the used tire feedstock so quickly that it mechanically breaks the used tire feedstock material apart. Temperature within the recycling vessel can be increased by inductively heating the used tire feedstock.

Abstract: An improved reusable capture complex and a method of capturing an additive releasable from a polymer material are disclosed. The capture complex includes a catalyst entity, a magnetic nanoparticle, and a bridging moiety between the catalyst entity and the magnetic nanoparticle. The method provides a high reduction of free additive of a polymer material.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a rubber composite for use in a variety of applications, and methods for its preparation.

Abstract: A catalytic process for preparing a roofing asphalt composition comprising an oxidized blend of a paving grade asphalt and recycled rubber is described herein.

Abstract: A method for microbial and/or enzymatic devulcanization of rubber includes: providing a particulate vulcanized rubber compound, swelling the vulcanized rubber compound in a solvent, and introducing a microbe or enzyme into the solvent containing the particulate vulcanized rubber in order to devulcanize the rubber compound.

Abstract: Elastomer compositions comprising uncured elastomer and reclaimed elastomer are described. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise reclaimed elastomer material (micronized rubber powder) of broad particle size distribution, which is less expensive than traditional reclaimed elastomer material with narrow particle size distribution. Further, compositions comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with broad particle size distribution perform comparably to those comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with narrow particle size distribution. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise both vulcanized and devulcanized elastomer materials. Advantageously, by using a combination of vulcanized and devulcanized material, it is possible to incorporate a greater percentage by weight of reclaimed material in to an elastomer composition, thus providing additional cost savings while maintaining high levels of mechanical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing rubber-containing bituminous mixtures by pressurizing mixtures of bituminous materials, crumb rubber, and one or more suspension agents with a gas, and then reducing the pressure, creating bubbles of the gas in the mixture. Also disclosed are methods of introducing gas into such mixture by rapid mixing. Mixtures produced by the disclosed methods, such as rubber-containing asphalt mixtures and paving compositions thereof, and their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a tire constituted with a thermoplastic material and a material different from the thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material and the material different from the thermoplastic material are easily and efficiently separated. While a tire 10 formed of a thermoplastic material is being turned, heated air is ejected from a nozzle 46 of a heating apparatus 44, and the surface of a crown portion 16 is melted. An end portion of a cord 26 embedded in a helical arrangement, which is formed of a material different from the thermoplastic material, is extracted from the melted region, and is sequentially wound onto a reel 58.

Abstract: Methods of reclaiming plastic from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste and manufacturing recycled medical devices are described. Recycled medical devices made from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste are also described.

Abstract: A devulcanization apparatus for devulcanizing a plurality of cross-linked elastomer particles. The apparatus includes a first conveyor functioning as a high voltage electrode and a second conveyor functioning as a ground electrode. A generator is operable to apply an alternating electric field between the first and second conveyors. A devulcanization region is provided between the first and second conveyors in which the cross-linked elastomer particles are placed.

Abstract: A system for devulcanizing rubber by contacting vulcanized rubber with a turpentine liquid in a reaction mixture in the absence of an alkali metal.

Abstract: Method of devulcanizing rubber and/or elastomers without the need for a chemical agent, in which method the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers are fed into a planetary roller extruder, which planetary roller extruder has a housing, a central spindle, two groups of planetary roller spindles, and a dispersion ring disposed about the central spindle and between the two groups of planetary spindles. Mechanical and thermal stress is generated on the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers by kneading and/or crushing the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers using the central spindle and the planetary spindles, and by forcing the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers through the dispersion ring, which is designated to substantially restrict passage of the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers therethrough. The mechanical and thermal stress alone is sufficient to break or destroy the molecular chains or bonds of the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers.

Abstract: A method for devulcanization of rubber feedstock and a related arrangement are provided. The method includes doping rubber feedstock with a photoactive substance (104, 110), configured to activate upon exposure thereof to external radiation of a predetermined wavelength; and further exposing cured rubber feedstock to the external radiation of the predetermined wavelength. Radiation exposure results, upon photoactive substance activation, in initiation of selective scission of intermolecular crosslinks, such as sulfur crosslinks, in the vulcanized rubber elastomers. The photoactive substance may be configured to initiate an excitation emission response and/or chemical reaction. The photoactive substance is preferably selected from semiconducting nanocrystals, such as quantum dots. An arrangement for carrying out the method is presented.

Abstract: A rubber asphalt and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The rubber asphalt comprises matrix asphalt and rubber powder modifier in a ratio of 4:1-4, wherein the rubber powder modifier comprises waste tire rubber powder and hexanediol in a ratio of 94-96:6-4. The method comprises the following steps: mixing the hexanediol with the waste tire rubber powder according to the ratio and stirring and wetting to obtain the rubber powder modifier; placing the matrix asphalt into a reaction kettle and heating to 90-170° C.; adding the rubber powder modifier into the reaction kettle according to the ratio; and raising the temperature to 190-210° C. under the stirring state to obtain the rubber asphalt. The rubber asphalt has an extensibility of 13-19 cm at 5° C., a penetration of 68-75 at 25° C. and a softening point of 53-90° C. The asphalt-aggregate ratio of a mixed material on the subsequent work section can be reduced to 6-8 from 8-10.

Abstract: An elastomeric roof coating and method of forming the roof coating are provided. The roof coating is formed from oil-based paint which is optionally treated to remove at least a portion of the solvents contained in the paint, and further includes emulsifying the oil-based paint, followed by the addition of varying amounts of water-based paint, a virgin latex polymer, and a plasticizer. Where white or light colored paints are used in the roof coating, the coating provides good reflective properties when applied to a roof surface.

Abstract: Compositions containing a turpentine liquid and methods are disclosed for dissolving, dissolving via melting, selectively dissolving via melting, decomposing plastic comprising a chlorine-containing polymer or thermosetting polymer, and/or co-dissolving plastic with fossil fuel for purifying, separating, recovering or recycling plastic-containing material.

Abstract: The present application provides a polymer composite comprising at least one polymer and a reclaimed pyrolyzed carbon black (pCB), wherein the pCB comprises less than about 10 ?g/g of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Also provided are polymer composite and consumer-ready formulations of the low PAH pCB and methods of manufacturing such composites and formulations.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide titanium oxide granules that have a novel structure and have a characteristic of highly efficient decomposing capability, and a method of decomposing plastic and organic waste by using the granules. The present invention has been completed based on the finding that a method of decomposing plastic waste by using titanium oxide granules having a transition metal and/or a transition metal oxide, in particular copper, supported thereon enables decomposition of plastic waste at extremely high efficiency in a low-temperature region for a long period of time as compared to methods of decomposing plastic waste by using the related-art titanium oxide granules.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for the separation and removal of inert components, from carpet waste materials, such as from fiber flooring, rugs, carpet components, carpet material and all other textiles that contain fiber materials, both natural and synthetic or from carpet waste composed of processed carcasses comprising at least one polymeric fiber with the method comprising the steps of (a) placing the carpet waste material into an acid solvent, (b) solubilizing at least one net component of the carpet waste material by chemical reaction with the acid solvent at low pH and (c) reacting the carpet waste material in the acid solvent at a temperature corresponding to room temperature or a low ambient reaction temperature below the dissolution temperature of any of the fiberous textiles in the carpet waste such that two unique phases are simultaneously formed from the reaction with one being a liquid phase consisting of as solublized compound dissolved in water and the other comprising a stream of polymeri

Abstract: A process for forming a vulcanized elastomer composition. An alternating electric field is applied to a first composition comprising vulcanized crosslinked elastomer particles while the composition is compressed to thereby devulcanize the crosslinked elastomer particles and form a second composition comprising devulcanized elastomer particles A crosslinking agent is added to the second composition comprising the devulcanized elastomer particles. The second composition having the crosslinking agent is then vulcanized to form the vulcanized elastomer composition.

Abstract: The invention comprises a composition comprising the extrusion product of synthetic turf and a processing agent, whereby the extrusion product has a moisture content of less than 0.5% by weight. A process for making the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for devulcanizing rubber by contacting vulcanized rubber with a turpentine liquid in a reaction mixture in the absence of an alkali metal.

Abstract: Tire vulcanizing/retreading and de-vulcanization system including an autoclave and heating based on an induction system, which will lead to vulcanization or de-vulcanization of a tire.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic resin composition includes kneading a mixture obtained by combining a rubber component with a ground product, the ground product being formed by grinding a thermoplastic resin molded article having an alloy resin of a polycarbonate and an ABS, and then molding the mixture after kneading. The mixture has 0.5 wt % or more and 1.5 wt % or less of the rubber component based on 100 wt % of the mixture.

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: A system for devulcanizing rubber by contacting vulcanized rubber with a turpentine liquid in a reaction mixture in the absence of an alkali metal.

Abstract: A thermoset composite material that my used in the fabrication of structural components including railroad ties comprise a substantially homogeneous blend of an amount of vulcanized rubber particles including a predetermined ratio of different particles sizes, and a thermoset elastomeric binding agent added to the vulcanized rubber particles. The blend may comprise about 30% to about 97% by weight of the vulcanized rubber particles, and the blend is subjected to compression molding at a predetermined temperature and pressure for a resident time period forming the composite material. The ratio of different rubber particle sizes is selected so that the composite material has a desired density or is within a range of desired densities.

Abstract: A thermoset cross-linked elastomer material, such as scrap tire rubber, is devulcanized by subjecting the material to a mechanical mixing process in the presence of 0.5 to 2% by wt. of an organic catalyst having a thiol terminus.

Abstract: A method of depolymerizing formulated rubbers and polymer solids is described. The method utilizes a solvent at or above the solvent's critical pressure and critical temperature with a low ratio of solvent to the solid material. The resulting depolymerized material in either substantially solid or highly viscous liquid form can be repolymerized with the addition of more monomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decomposing, in the presence of subcritical water, a thermosetting resin comprising a polyester moiety and a crosslinking moiety therewith to provide a compound comprising an acid residue derived from the polyester moiety and a residue derived from the crosslinking moiety, and collecting the compound in an efficient yield, specifically, which comprises steps of: (I) decomposing the thermosetting resin in the presence of subcritical water to provide a solid comprising a compound comprising an acid residue derived from the polyester moiety and a residue derived from the crosslinking moiety, (II) subjecting the solid to an organic solvent to dissolve the compound into the organic solvent, wherein the organic solvent has a higher solubility which can dissolve the compound than that of water, and (III) collecting, separating or isolating the compound from the organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture having at least a portion prepared using recycled material, including but not limited recycled rubber or other polymeric materials. The articles may incorporate the recycled materials in a granulated form. In specific embodiments, the article comprises an article of footwear (i.e., a shoe). Particularly, all or part of the shoe sole may be formed using the granulated material, the granules specifically being joined together using a binder material, such as a polyurethane, preferably a moisture cure, single component polyurethane binder. The invention further provides methods of preparing articles formed of granulated materials. The inventive methods are characterized by their excellent economic benefits, ease of use, and environmental benefits.

Abstract: A process for making a solid component out of recycled powder coat is provided. The process can include providing a powder coat material and providing a second material. Thereafter, the powder coat and the second material are mixed to produce a powder coat-second material mixture. The powder coal-second material mixture is processed in order to produce a polymer containing precursor. The processing can include granulating or densifying the powder coat-second material mixture. After the precursor has been produced, it can be placed within a molding machine and a solid component is molded. The molding machine can be an injection molding machine, an extrusion molding machine or a blow molding machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to block polymers, for example, arborescent copolymer compounds, and to methods of making and purifying such compounds. In one embodiment, the invention relates to arborescent polymer compounds that contain one or more styrene polymeric blocks in combination with one or more isobutylene polymeric blocks. In another embodiment, the invention relates to methods for purifying arborescent polymer compounds that contain at least one styrene polymeric block in combination with at least one isobutylene polymeric block.

Abstract: A method for preparing contaminated plastics ground into flakes, such as RPET or such polymers, having at least decontamination and SSP treatment steps, with at least one reactor, with heating to the process temperature taking place essentially outside the reactor. Also, a device for carrying out the method, and having at least one decontamination reactor and at least one SSP reactor, a device for heating plastic flakes to the process temperature being arranged upstream of the decontamination reactor. Also an SSP reactor having at least two individual reactors, and preferably between 3 and 7 individual reactors.

Abstract: Partial oxidation of crumb rubber derived from environmental hazardous waste tires yields surface treated crumb rubber which are used as blending stocks for making rubberized concrete with substantially improved mechanical strength as compared to the conventional rubberized concrete. The chemically more active rubber surface becomes hydrophilic, so it interacts with the hydrophilic surface of surrounding cement matrix much stronger. The mechanically improved rubberized concrete is more versatile than conventional rubberized concrete.

Abstract: A process for recovering waste latex material from a manufacturing plant, treating the recovered waste latex material, and subsequently utilizing the recovered and treated waste latex material in a manufacturing plant. Waste latex material is recovered and treated to provide a fine, sand-like material that is suitable for reintroduction into a latex adhesive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A process for devulcanizing crosslinked elastomer particles comprising applying an alternating electric field to a composition comprising crosslinked elastomer particles under compression. The alternating electric field preferably has a frequency between 1 and 100 MHz and a voltage between 1000 and 10,000 V, and may be applied between an apparatus that continuously conveys the particles through the field.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to carpet and methods of making and recycling carpet. In one aspect, the carpet includes: a primary backing which has a face and a back surface; a plurality of fibers attached to the primary backing and extending from the face of the primary backing and exposed at the back surface of the primary backing; an adhesive composition backing; and an optional secondary backing adjacent to the adhesive backing. The method of making carpet includes extrusion coating the adhesive composition onto the back surface of a primary backing to form the adhesive composition backing. The method of recycling carpet can recover one or more polymeric carpet components.