New technology for recycling tires and other things

[theholycow]

http://rpn.baumpub.com/news/1082/bre...tire-recycling

Reportedly this technology uses microwaves in an environment that has had its oxygen removed and replaced by nitrogen to break molecular bonds, effectively distilling a tire or other product into its original ingredients. 100% of the resulting materials are reclaimed to be used. From tires, these materials include oil, carbon black, and steel. The system is supposed to even require no energy input, using the captured gases to generate its own electricity.

The article talks about using the carbon black in printer toner and other products, but I imagine it would be logical to supply it back to the tire industry since tires use a lot of carbon black.

[GasSavers_Erik]

It is a great idea- used tires contain lots of energy and materials that need to be reclaimed rather than buried in a landfill somewhere.

From the spokesman: “There are a lot of downsides to the burning of tires, with the release of particulate, heavy metals, and all the CO2 that is given off..."

This statement from the article puzzled me- I didn't think there were heavy metals in tires (unless the heavy metals were present in miniscule quantities in the oil the tires were made from).

Perhaps it is a cheap shot at the tire incineration/electricity production industry (which is likely their main competitor).

[theholycow]

I agree, I too was puzzled by that piece. Perhaps there is lead in them? I know that there is lead in rubber insulation on wires made in China, so it's not unknown to use lead in rubber...however I imagine they would have said the more commonly known and loathed "lead" instead of "heavy metals".