University of Twente Student Theses
Design and optimization of a devulcanization process for butyl rubber
Holstege, Nadia (2024) Design and optimization of a devulcanization process for butyl rubber.
|
PDF
76MB |
| Abstract: | The ever-growing problem of end-of-life tires has been receiving more attention over the past years, resulting in increased regulations on the management of tire waste. Part of the solution for this problem can be the efficient recycling of rubber from tires. While there is extensive research done on the use of silanes as a devulcanization aid for other rubber types, this is not the case for butyl rubber. Therefore, inner tubes originating from truck tires were selected as feedstock material in this study to design and optimize a devulcanization process for butyl rubber. Butyl rubber inner tubes are processed into granulate and devulcanized thermo-mechanically in the presence of a devulcanization aid. This leads to a devulcanized butyl rubber of which the quality should be optimized. The method used for optimization is Design of Experiments, in which the various parameters are explored, and information is gathered about their effects and interactions. This is used to tailor the devulcanization process accordingly. Mechanical tests are used to assess the quality, while specific testing for devulcanized material determines the amount and efficiency of devulcanization. The optimal parameters within a factorial design are used to further optimize and therefore improve the material quality. Resulting from this study, there is a strong effect of the amount of devulcanization aid. An excess of devulcanization aid could cause oligomerization of the silane, reducing the overall quality of the material. Furthermore, a combination of high shear, long time and high temperature generally results in too much degradation in the material, while an increase of these parameters separately has a positive effect on the tensile strength. An increased fill factor can improve the material by providing higher shear forces for a short period of time. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | ET: Engineering Technology |
| Subject: | 51 materials science, 58 process technology |
| Programme: | Industrial Design Engineering MSc (66955) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/99035 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Show download statistics for this publication
Show download statistics for this publicationRepository Staff Only: item control page