Category: ThermoChemical Conversion

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How It Works

How the CDS Solution Works

CDS systems are semi-mobile and containerized consisting of a pyrolysis module integrated with the necessary components to ensure continuous, turnkey operation. What is pyrolysis, you may be wondering, and how does it work?

Pyrolysis is a type of thermochemical process that involves feeding feedstocks to temperatures between 250-800 degrees C in an oxygen free environment.  See illustrations below.

In the words of one expert:

How It Works

“The biomass is essentially ‘cooked’ [but not burned] until various lignin and cellulose products breakdown to produce a hydrogen-rich fuel stream that can either be combusted or condensed for energy generation.  The high-carbon product that remains is biochar which has essentially been mined of hydrogen.”

– Dr. John Gaunt, Cornell University

An impressive variety of feedstocks can be continuously fed into the inlet and broken down into a stream of products and coproducts, each with substantial market value. See the illustrated production process for a description of the various stages of operation these systems use in practice.

System Flow image
Simplified view of pyrolysis system in practice

This technology is fully mature and ready for immediate application

Here is an illustration of the process flow from raw feedstocks to the various coproducts:

CDS Production Model

Once operational, a full-sized unit produces its own power plus an additional thermal energy or electricity (for local consumption or via grid interconnection), where syngas can also be on-converted or condensed into various intermediary forms, such as methane, renewable diesel, etc., or some feedstocks also produce bio-oil (also called “pyrolysis oil”) that can be further processed into transportation fuels. 

See Customers or Contact Us to register interest or inquire about system pricing, availability and delivery. Got questions? We can help.

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Tire ThermoChemical Conversion (Depolymerization) via Pyrolysis becomes mainstream practice

Over the past 2-3 years, the market has shifting from “nice idea” to proof-of-commercial viability when faced when stockpiled rubber that otherwise had no profitable and sustainable pathway. 

In Europe, 2021 saw the first-ever European Carbon Black Summit, with the joint statement of tire manufacturers, Bridgestone and Michelin committing to creating more sustainable tires. For the second annual summit in June of 2022, tire pyrolysis equipment designer and manufacturer, Klean CEO will be presenting about Recovered Carbon Black. 

This summit provides a forum for chemical companies, carbon black manufacturers, carbon black users, plastic & rubber manufacturers, masterbatch processors, and tire manufacturers to hear from the pyrolysis industry veterans, experts, and innovators who will share their perspective of the rapidly growing Recovered Carbon Black market. In addition to information sharing, the Summit reinforces the significance of the industry as a whole and the strides it is making.

“It’s a known fact that the tire industry is the single largest consumer of virgin Carbon Black and that the potential demand for Recovered Carbon Black is currently enormous.“ (Source)

Smart Tire Recycling is proud to be at the forefront of emerging technologies that produce rCB and is excited to see what new information will be shared at the summit. 

This method of turning rubber back into the elements of Carbon Black, steel and energy greatly decreases the demand for “virgin” Carbon Black by the producers. 

Various US states have begun publicizing and implementing plans to better dispose of and recycle tires. Examples:

  1. Pima County in Tucson, Arizona has started a program that allows residents to drop off up to five times per year in their recycling facilities. (Source) 
  2. In North Carolina, Liberty Tire Recycling is opening up a new plant to accommodate an increase in tire recycling needs. The facility will produce rubber mulch and create 30 new jobs. (Source)
  3. In Shreveport, Louisiana, a program called Waste Tire Cleanup Pilot Program has been launched to stop illegal tire dumping. The plan is to educate the local community through various programs about tire dumping and why and how it’s happening. (Source)
  4. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has launched the Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP). The department will be awarding grants to fund projects that create or expand uses for waste tires. “Such projects include tire recycling and processing, using materials such as aggregate that are derived from tires, initiating research and development in tire management, using tires for alternative fuels or promoting innovation in infrastructure.” (Source)