Russian researchers have outlined a route to produce liquid hydrocarbon fuel from worn tires for use in boiler plants and Arctic vessels. The development was shared with socialbites.ca via NUST MISIS.
One of the most promising tire recycling methods is steam pyrolysis. According to Kirill Larionov, a researcher in the Catalysis Laboratory, this approach offers safety benefits, the neutralization of toxic components during the process, a high energy value in the resulting gas-phase products, and the ability to tailor the properties of the resulting feedstock. The team at NUST MISIS is exploring how to apply steam-assisted processing to hydrocarbon recovery from tires.
At present, about 63% of used tires end up in landfills, creating environmental pressures since rubber can take centuries to decay and a typical tire set has a lifespan of roughly five years. This situation highlights the need for effective recycling options to reduce waste and improve resource use.
Researchers from MISiS, collaborating with colleagues from other Russian universities, conducted an experiment to pyrolyze tires from passenger vehicles using a tubular reactor. This specialized furnace treats the material with superheated steam at approximately 500 degrees Celsius. The liquid hydrocarbons produced display properties similar to fuel oil and are suitable for combustion in boiler facilities and for use in Arctic operations due to their low pour points and resilience in harsh conditions.
The liquid fuel obtained through this tire treatment process reportedly has a calorific value comparable to conventional fuels, does not freeze at temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius, and exhibits notably lower viscosity than standard fuel. The researchers noted that the synthesized fuel ignites more readily and tends to emit lower levels of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrous oxides during combustion compared to conventional fuels.
Experts argue that standard steam boilers could be adapted to produce fuel using this method, which may lower the cost of setting up facilities for fuel production while expanding the options for tire waste management. The findings point toward a practical path for turning discarded tires into usable energy sources, potentially reducing landfill accumulation and offering an alternative energy feedstock with resilience in cold environments. These insights support ongoing research into sustainable tire recycling and the broader possibilities for converting waste into valuable energy resources, as reported by MISiS and collaborating institutions (MISiS, 2024).
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