Patent Publication Number: US-6666955-B1

Title: Method and apparatus for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/433,471 filed Nov. 4, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Patent Provisional application Serial No. 60/107,447 filed Nov. 6, 1998 pending. All subject matter set forth in provisional application serial No. 60/107,447 is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to reclaiming pyrolysis products and more particularly to reclaiming the volatile products and non-volatile residue from the pyrolysis of polymeric materials. 
     2. Prior Art Statement 
     The massive increase in the number of rubber automobile tires produced annually, has resulted in 60-70% of the available rubber being used in automobile tires. The large number of tires produced annually has resulted in a large number of discarded tires. 
     A typical automobile tire is fabricated from layers (or plies) of a combination of rubber compounds reinforced with carbon black, synthetic fibers or steel wire. Every pound of rubber used in tire treads requires at least one-half pound of carbon black, with the casing requiring a slightly lower ratio. Additionally, a variety of additives are included in the tire formula. 
     Antioxidants are added to rubber compositions to resist the action of oxygen. Antioxidants are among a group of materials known as antidegradants, which include all materials intended to resist the deterioration of rubber. The amount of antioxidant used per pound of both natural and synthetic rubber has steadily risen. These effects have exacerbated the environmental pollution problems resulting from discarded automobile tires. Due to the nature of automobile tire rubber formulations, automobile tires tend to be substantially non-biodegradable. 
     Therefore, discarded tires result in an accumulation problem. In an effort to reduce the accumulation and to prevent environmental pollution some passive disposal methods have been utilized to recycle a small number of tires. These include making artial reefs by placing the discarded tires as seeds for the reefs in an undersea location. 
     Reclaimed rubber has become an important element in the rubber industry, and is used whenever applications do not require premium grade rubber. Internal recycling has become a standard part of the process in most rubber processing facilities. However, the cost of recycling old or worn out tires has thus far generally exceeded the value of the reclaimed material. 
     Used rubber was formerly burned, but this technique has been curtailed due to atmospheric pollution resulting from this activity. Destructive distillation of scrap rubber products has been used in recycling processes, and may allow reclamation of valuable rubber chemicals. Liquid oil used in other chemicals is a primary product of distillation. Combustible gas which may be used as a fuel and carbonaceous residue used as a filter char or a binder in concrete or asphalt roadways make up the balance of products from destructive distillation. 
     The environmental concerns resulting from the vast number of discarded tires has not been adequately addressed by the prior art. Destructive distillation of scrap rubber products has shown some promise but is not rapid enough for large throughput. 
     Pyrolysis, the incineration of an object in an oxygen deficient atmosphere which results in a chemical change produces products similar to those achieved through destructive distillation of automobile tires, has shown considerable promise in solving the current problem. 
     A problem remaining in the pyrolysis process of a material having a high percentage of inorganic material in an organic matrix, such as an automobile tire has not been adequately addressed in the prior art. As pyrolysis progresses from the surface of the material an insulating effect begins as the inorganic material and residue reduce the thermal transfer rate to the remaining organic material internal to the material being pyrolyzed. 
     The present inventon overcomes these problems by applying heat in direct contact with the surfaces of the material to be pyrolyzed and as the process progresses, compression of pyrolysis residue is achieved thereby maintaining substantially constant contact with the organic material remaining. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved environmentally non-destructive apparatus and method for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material with substantially no environmental release of atmospheric pollutants. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material which retains a portion of the pyrolysis products for use in the pyrolysis process. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material which retains a portion of the volatile products for providing energy for operating the process. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material which is efficient and economical to operate. 
     Another object of his invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material in which the process can be automated thereby requiring minimum human intervention into the process. 
     The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the present invention. These objects should be construed as being merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention with in the scope of the invention. Accordingly other objects in a full understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description describing the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A specific embodiment of the present invention is shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, the invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material, comprising placing the polymeric material in a reactor and establishing an oxygen deficient atmosphere in a reactor. The polymeric material is simultaneously compressed and heated to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the polymeric material. 
     In a more specific embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of an inorganically filled polymeric object. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, establishing an oxygen deficient atmosphere in a reactor comprises displacing oxygen in a reactor by introducing a substantially non-reactive gas. The establishment of the oxygen deficient atmosphere in a reactor may comprise displacing oxygen in a reactor by introducing carbon dioxide gas. In the alternative, the step of establishing the oxygen deficient atmosphere in a reactor may comprise displacing oxygen in a reactor by introducing nitrogen gas in the reactor. 
     Preferably, the polymeric material is simultaneously compressed and heated to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the polymeric material by applying a substantially continuous mechanical pressure on the polymeric material during the reduction of the volume of the polymeric material during the continuous pyrolysis thereof. In one example, the polymeric material is simultaneously compressed by compressing the polymeric material with a mechanical pressure between 400 pounds per square inch and 600 pounds per square inch heated to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the polymeric material. In this example, the polymeric material is simultaneously compressed and heated to a temperature of one thousand two hundred degrees Fahrenheit, sufficient to pyrolyze the polymeric material. 
     The volatile products and non-volatile residue produced from the pyrolysis of the polymeric material are removed from the reactor and collected for further use. A portion of the volatile pyrolysis products residue produced from the pyrolysis of the polymeric material may be retained within the reactor for maintaining the oxygen deficient atmosphere in the reactor. A portion of the volatile products are removed from the reactor and the residual non-volatile pyrolysis residue is collected for further use. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for the reclaiming of volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material, comprising an input chamber defining an input for the polymeric material, and a reactor for receiving the polymeric material. The reactor communicates with the input chamber, and an input gate for isolating the input chamber from the reactor. A mechanism is provided to establish an oxygen deficient atmosphere in the reactor. An apparatus in the reactor is provided to simultaneously apply mechanical pressure and heat to the polymeric material, providing a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the polymeric material. An output port communicating with the reactor is provided for removing the volatile pyrolysis products from the reactor, and a residue chamber communicates with the reactor for collecting the residual non-volatile pyrolysis residue. An output gate isolates the reactor from the residue chamber. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject matter of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the process for reclaiming volatile product and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of an apparatus for preforming the process of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a detail end view of a heated platens; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-section view along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the moveable heated platen assembly including the jackscrews and hydraulic motor operators; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 illustrating the electrical connection to the moveable heated platen; 
     FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side View of the apparatus illustrating a first tire entering an input chamber through an input chamber gate and a second tire on an input conveyor; 
     FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway side view of the apparatus illustrating the first tire enclosed in the input chamber, the second tire proximate the input chamber gate, and a third tire on the input conveyor; 
     FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view of the apparatus illustrating the first tire entering the reactor through a reactor entry gate, the second tire proximate the input chamber gate, and a third tire on the input conveyor; 
     FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway side view of the apparatus illustrating the first tire having entered a first reactor position, the second tire entering the input chamber through the input chamber gate and the third tire on the input conveyor; 
     FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway side view of the apparatus illustrating the first tire in the first reactor position beginning compression, the second tire enclosed in the input chamber, the third tire proximate the input chamber gate, and a fourth tire on the input conveyor; 
     FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway side view of the apparatus illustrating the first tire in the first reactor position fully compressed, the second tire entering the reactor through the reactor entry gate, the third tire proximate the input chamber gate, and the fourth tire on the input conveyor; 
     FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway side view of the apparatus illustrating the pyrolysis residue of the first tire exiting the first reactor position onto the residue conveyor, the second tire having entered the second reactor position, the third tire entering the input chamber through the input chamber gate, and the fourth tire on the input conveyor; 
     FIG. 14 is a partially cutaway side view of the apparatus illustrating the pyrolysis residue of the first tire on the residue conveyor and entering an accumulator, the second tire being fully compressed in the second reactor position, the third tire enclosed in the input chamber, the fourth tire proximate the input chamber gate and a fifth tire on the input conveyor; 
     FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway side view of the apparatus illustrating the pyrolysis residue of the second tire exiting the second reactor position, on the residue conveyor and passing through an accumulator and an accumulator gate into the residue removal chamber, the third tire in the first reactor position beginning compression, the fourth tire entering the input chamber through the input chamber gate, and the fifth tire on the input conveyor; 
     FIG. 16 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating an optional tire retainer shown in a second operative position covering the space between the moveable platen and a second fixed platen; 
     FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 illustrating the movement of the optional tire retainer along with the moveable platen; 
     FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 illustrating the continued movement of the optional tire retainer with the moveable platen; 
     FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 illustrating the optional tire retainer shown in a first operative position covering the space between the moveable platen and a first fixed platen; 
     FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 illustrating a reverse movement of the optional tire retainer along with the moveable platen; and 
     FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the optional tire retainer returned to the second operative position covering the space between the moveable platen and a second fixed platen. 
     Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DISCUSSION 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the process  10  for reclaiming volatile product and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material of the present invention. The process  10  of the present invention may be used with virtually any type of polymeric material. However, the process  10  of the present invention is especially suited for use with inorganically filled polymeric objects such as rubber tire  14  or the like. 
     The process  10  of the present invention comprises the step  20  of enclosing the rubber tire  14  within a reactor  22 . The process  10  includes the step  30  of establishing an oxygen deficient atmosphere in the reactor  22 . The step  30  of establishing an oxygen deficient atmosphere may be accomplished by displacing the oxygen within the reactor  22  with a substantially non-reactive gas. 
     The process  10  continues with the step  40  of simultaneously compressing and heating the rubber tire  14  to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the rubber tire  14  to produce volatile products  42  and non-volatile residue  44 . The step  40  of simultaneously compressing and heating the rubber tire  14  includes applying a substantially continuous mechanical pressure on the rubber tire  14  during the reduction of the volume of the rubber tire  14  through the continuous pyrolysis thereof. Preferably, a mechanical pressure between 400 pounds per square inch and 600 pounds per square inch may be applied to the rubber tire  14 . 
     The step  40  of simultaneously compressing and heating the rubber tire  14  includes heating the rubber tire  14  to a temperature in excess of seven hundred degrees Fahrenheit (700° F.) to achieve the pyrolysis of the rubber tire  14 . 
     The process  10  includes removing the volatile products  42  and non-volatile residue  44  from the reactor  22 . In this example of the invention, the process  10  includes the step  50  of capturing the volatile products  42  from the reactor  22 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step  50  of removing a portion of the volatile products  42  from the reactor  22  includes the step  52  of maintaining a portion of the volatile pyrolysis products  42  within the reactor  22  for maintaining the oxygen deficient atmosphere in the reactor  22 . The step  52  of maintaining a portion of the volatile pyrolysis products  42  within the reactor  22  is indicated by the arrow  52 . 
     The process  10  includes the step  60  removing the non-volatile residue  44  from the reactor  22 . Preferably, the non-volatile residue  44  is allowed to cool in an accumulator prior to removal for preventing oxidation of the non-volatile residue  44 . 
     FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of an apparatus  70  suitable for carrying out the process  10  set forth in FIG.  1 . The apparatus  70  comprises an input conveyer  72  for transporting a rubber tire  14  (not shown) to an input stage  74 . An input chamber gate  76  is moveable between an open and a closed position. In this example, the input chamber gate  76  is moved by a hydraulic operator  78  which is controlled by a controller valve  80 . The controller valve  80  diverts hydraulic fluid under pressure from a hydraulic reservoir and pump assembly  82  through a hydraulic line  84 . Alternately, an air or an electrically operator may be used to move the input chamber gate  76 . 
     When input chamber gate  76  is moved into the closed position, the input stage  74  is isolated from an input chamber  86 . When the input chamber gate  76  is moved into an open position, the input stage  74  communicates with the input chamber  86 . The input chamber  86  in combination with the input chamber gate  76  defines an airlock input of the apparatus  70  for receiving the rubber tire  14 . 
     A vacuum line  88  interconnects the input chamber  86  with a vacuum pump  90 . A vacuum pump output line  92  communicates with the vacuum pump  90  and a shut off solenoid valve  94 . When the vacuum pump  90  is activated and the solenoid valve  94  is opened, air from the input chamber  86  is evacuated through the vacuum line  88  by the vacuum pump  90 . The air is discharged by the vacuum pump  90  through vacuum pump output line  92  and the shut off solenoid valve  94  to be expelled to the atmosphere through a discharge line  95 . 
     A reactor input gate  96  has an opened and a closed position. When the reactor input gate  96  is moved into the closed position, the input chamber  86  is isolated from the reactor  22 . When the reactor input gate  96  is moved into the opened position, the input chamber  86  communicates with the reactor  22 . In this example, the reactor input gate  96  is moved by a hydraulic operator  98 . The hydraulic operator  98  is controlled by a controller valve  100 . The controller valve  100  diverts hydraulic fluid under pressure from the hydraulic reservoir and pump assembly  82  through the hydraulic line  84 . Alternately, an air or an electrically operator may be used to move the reactor input gate  96 . 
     The reactor  22  comprises a reactor shroud  102  defining an internal volume  103  of the reactor  22 . As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22  is adapted for receiving a rubber tire  14  for pyrolyzation. Preferably, the reactor shroud  102  provides a vapor barrier and thermal insulator for the pyrolysis  50  process. 
     A purging mechanism  104  is provided for establishing an oxygen deficient atmosphere within the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22 . A purge line  105  communicates with the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22  and an inert gas source (not shown) for purging air from the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22 . The inert gas sources may include carbon dioxide, nitrogen or the like. 
     A vapor withdrawal part  108  is connected to the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22 . A vacuum inlet line  110  and a reactor vacuum solenoid valve  112  interconnect the vapor withdrawal port.  108  with the vacuum pump  90 . When the vacuum pump  90  is activated and the solenoid valve  112  is opened, the vacuum pump  90  evacuates volatile pyrolysis products  42  from the input chamber  86  through a vapor withdrawal port  108  and through the vacuum inlet line  110  and the reactor vacuum solenoid valve  112 . 
     Initially, the vacuum pump  90  evacuates air from the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22  by opening the reactor input gate  96  during the evacuation of the input chamber  86 . Thereafter, the purging mechanism  104  fills the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22  with an inert gas. 
     In addition, the vapor withdrawal port  108  communicates with the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22  for removing volatile pyrolysis products from the reactor internal volume  103  of the reactor  22 . Volatile pyrolysis products removed from the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22  may be further processed as desired. Typical further processing includes condensation and collection of liquids and collection of gases for possible use in the process  10 . In one example, the combustible gases collected from the pyrolyzation process may be burned to preheat the tires  14  to be pyrolyzed in the process  10 . In another example, the combustible gases collected from the pyrolysation process may be burned to generate electricity for powering the apparatus  70 . 
     The apparatus  70  is provided with a heated compression assembly  115  located within the reactor  22  for simultaneously applying mechanical pressure and heating the rubber tire  14  to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the rubber tire  14 . 
     FIGS. 3-5 are detailed views of the heated compression assembly  115  of FIG.  2 . The heated compression assembly  115  comprises a first fixed platen  116  having a first non-moveable compression and heating surface  117  for simultaneously applying pressure and heat to the rubber tire  14 . A first rigid support frame assembly  118  is proyided to support the first fixed platen  116 . 
     A moveable platen  120  has a first side  121  and a second side  122 . Each of the first and second movable sides  121  and  122  of the moveable platen  120  is a compression and heated surface for simultaneous applying pressure and heat to the rubber tire  14 . 
     A second fixed platen  123  comprises a second non-moveable compression and heated surface  124  for simultaneously applying pressure and heat to the rubber tire  14 . A second rigid support frame assembly is provided to support the second fixed platen  123 . 
     The motion of the moveable platen  120  in a first direction moves the first side  121  of moveable platen  120  into proximity to the first non-moveable compression and heated surface  117  of the first fixed platen  116  to simultaneously apply mechanical pressure and heat to a rubber tire  14  (not shown). 
     The motion of the moveable platen  120  in a second direction moves the second side  122  of moveable platen  120  into proximity to the second non-moveable compression and heated surface  124  of the second fixed platen  123  to simultaneously apply mechanical pressure and heat to a rubber tire  14  (not shown). 
     The movement of moveable platen  120  is accomplished by the rotation of a plurality of jackscrews  140  affixed to rotatable shafts  142  of hydraulic motors  144 . The threaded jackscrews  140  extend through corresponding threaded apertures  146  through the moveable platen  120 . A clockwise rotation of jackscrews  140  results in movement of the moveable platen  120  in a direction approaching the first fixed platen  116 . A counterclockwise rotation of the jackscrews  140  results in movement of the moveable platen  120  in a direction approaching the second fixed platen  123 . 
     An electrical conduit  116 A and  123 A extend through the reactor shroud  102  of the reactor  22  for providing electrical power to the resistive heating elements internal the first and second fixed platen  1   16  and  123 . An electrical conduit  120 A slidably extends through the reactor shroud  102  of the reactor  22  for providing electrical power to the resistive heating elements internal the moveable platen  120 . 
     The rotation of the hydraulic motors  144  is powered by the hydraulic reservoir and pump assembly  82 . The direction of rotation of hydraulic motors  144  is achieved by a hydraulic motor controller  150  directing flow of the hydraulic fluid through lines  152 . 
     The moveable platen  120  is provided with support and guide wheels  154  which traverse a rigid guide track  156 . A plurality of alignment pins  158  are provided for aligning a rubber tire in a position relative to the moveable platen  120  for the pyrolysis process. The alignment pins  158  are slidably mounted and extend through a plurality of apertures  159  in moveable platen  120 . Although only two alignment pins  158  have been shown, it should be appreciated that the alignment pins  158  may be arranged in various patterns for accommodating for various sizes of tires. 
     A discharge chamber  160 -extends between a first and a second end  161  and  162 . The first end  161  of the discharge chamber  160  communicates with reactor  22  to receive non-volatile pyrolysis residue  44  from reactor  22 . The first and second ends  161  and  162  of the discharge chamber  160  supports flanges  163  and  164  for accessing the interior of the discharge chamber  160 . A discharge conveyer  166  is disposed within the discharge chamber  160 . The first end  161  of the discharge chamber  160  communicates with the discharge conveyer  166  to receive the non-volatile pyrolysis residue  44  from the reactor  22 . 
     The discharge chamber  160  communicates with an accumulator  168  disposed in proximity to the second end  162  of the discharge chamber  160 . The accumulator  168  comprises a pit for accumulating and cooling the non-volatile pyrolysis residue  44  from the pyrolysis of a rubber tire  14  (not shown). 
     A discharge gate  170  having an opened and a closed position. When the discharge gate  170  is moved into the closed position, the accumulator  168  is isolated from a residue removal chamber  172 . When the discharge gate  170  is moved into the opened position, the accumulator  168  communicates with the residue removal chamber  172 . Preferably, the discharge gate  170  is moved by a hydraulic operator  174  which is controlled by a controller valve  176 . The controller valve  176  diverts hydraulic fluid under pressure from hydraulic reservoir and pump assembly  82  through a hydraulic line  178 . Alternately, an air or an electrically operator may be used to move the discharge gate  170 . 
     The residue removal chamber  172  comprises a cylinder having hinged end bells  179  which may be opened for removal of cooled residue from the pyrolysis of a rubber tire  14  (not shown). A secondary conveyor  182  is located within removal chamber  172  for directing pyrolysis residue from the residue removal chamber  172 . 
     FIGS. 7-15 are partially cutaway side views of the apparatus  70  of FIGS. 2-6 for preforming the process of FIG.  1 . Although the process of the present invention shown in FIGS. 7-15 are shown as a specific sequence, it should be understood that this sequence is made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the process  10  of the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum pump  90  is activated and the solenoid valve  94  is opened to evacuate air from the input chamber  86 . The reactor input gate  96  is opened for enabling the vacuum pump  90  to evacuate air from the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22 . The vacuum pump  90  discharges the air from the vacuum pump output line  92  and the shut off solenoid valve  94  to expel the air to the atmosphere through discharge line  95 . A purging mechanism  104  is provided for establishing an oxygen deficient atmosphere within the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22 . The purging mechanism  104  directs an inert gas into the internal volume  103  of the reactor  22 . 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the reactor input gate  96  being closed and the input chamber gate  76  being opened to vent to the atmosphere. A first tire  14 A is entering the input chamber  86  through the input chamber gate  76  and a second tire  14 B is on the input conveyor  72 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates the input chamber gate  76  being closed for enclosing the first tire  14 A within the input chamber  86 . The second tire  14 B is located proximate to the input chamber gate  76 . A third tire  14 C is disposed on the input conveyor  72 . The vacuum pump  90  is activated and the solenoid valve  94  is opened to evacuate air from the input chamber  86 . 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the reactor input gate  96  being opened for enabling the first tire  14 A to enter the reactor  22 . The second tire  14 B is located proximate to the input chamber gate  76 . The third tire  14 C is located on the input conveyor  72 . 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the reactor input gate  96  being closed for enclosing the first tire  14 A within the reactor  22 . The first tire  14 A is located within a first reactor position within the reactor  22 . 
     The input chamber gate  76  is opened to vent to the atmosphere and the second tire  14 B is entering the input chamber  86  through the input chamber gate  76 . The third tire  14 C is disposed on the input conveyor  72 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the first tire  14 A in the first reactor position between the first fixed platen  116  and the moveable platen  120  within the reactor  22 . The movement of the moveable platen  120  toward the first fixed platen  116  simultaneously applies mechanical pressure and heat to the rubber tire  14 A. 
     The first tire  14 A is simultaneously compressed and heated between the moveable platen  120  and the first fixed platen  116  to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the first tire  14 A. The movement of the movable platen  120  toward the first fixed platen  116  applies a substantially continuous mechanical pressure on the tire during the reduction of the volume of the first tire  14 A during the continuous pyrolysis thereof. 
     The input chamber gate  76  is closed for enclosing the second tire  14 B within the input chamber  86 . The vacuum pump  90  is activated and the solenoid valve  94  is opened to evacuate air from the input chamber  86 . The third tire  14 C is located proximate to the input chamber gate  76 . A fourth tire  14 D is located on the input conveyor  72 . 
     FIG. 12 illustrates the first tire  14 A in the first reactor position between the first fixed platen  116  and the moveable platen  120  being fully compressed. The process  10  produces volatile products  42  and non-volatile residue  44  within the reactor  22 . The volatile products  42  are removed from the reactor  22  through the vapor withdrawal port  108 . 
     The reactor input gate  96  is opened for enabling the second tire  14 B to enter the reactor  22 . The third tire  14 C is located proximate to the input chamber gate  76 . The fourth tire  14 D is disposed on the input conveyor  72 . 
     The reactor input gate  96  is then closed and the vacuum pump  90  is activated and the solenoid valve  112  is opened to evacuate volatile pyrolysis products  42  from the input chamber  86 . 
     FIG. 13 illustrates the pyrolysis residue  44  of the first tire  14 A exiting the first reactor position between the first fixed platen  116  and the moveable platen  120  within the reactor  22  onto the residue conveyor  166 . The second tire  14 B is in a second reactor position between the second fixed platen  123  and the moveable platen  120  within the reactor  22 . 
     The input chamber gate  76  is opened to vent to the atmosphere and the third tire  14 C is entering the input chamber  86  through the input chamber gate  76 . The fourth tire  14 D is located on the input conveyor  72 . 
     FIG. 14 illustrates the pyrolysis residue  44  of the first tire  14 A on the residue conveyor  166  and entering the accumulator  168 . The second tire  14 B is fully compressed in the second reactor position between the second fixed platen  123  and the moveable platen  120  within the reactor  22 . 
     The input chamber gate  76  is closed to enclose the third tire  14 C within the input chamber  86 . The vacuum pump  90  is activated and the solenoid valve  94  is opened to evacuate air from the input chamber  86 . The fourth tire  14 D is located proximate to the input chamber gate  76 . A fifth tire  14 E is disposed on the input conveyor  72 . 
     FIG. 15 illustrates the pyrolysis residue  44  of the second tire  14 B exiting the second reactor position between the second fixed platen  123  and the moveable platen  120  within the reactor  22  onto the residue conveyor  166  and passing through an accumulator  168  and the accumulator gate into the residue removal chamber  172 . 
     The third tire  14 C is located within the first reactor position between the first fixed platen  116  and the moveable platen  120  within the reactor  22 . The movement of the moveable platen  120  toward the first fixed platen  116  simultaneously applies mechanical pressure and heat to the rubber tire  14 C. 
     Previously, the reactor input gate  96  was closed and the vacuum pump  90  was activated and the solenoid valve  112  is opened to evacuate volatile pyrolysis products  42  from the input chamber  86 . The input chamber gate  76  is opened to vent to the atmosphere and the fourth tire  14 D enters the input chamber  86  through the input chamber gate  76 . The fifth tire  14 E is located on the input conveyor  72 . 
     FIG. 16 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating an optional tire retainer  200  shown in a second operative position covering the space between the moveable platen  120  and the second fixed platen  123 . The tire retainer  200  includes a plurality of channels  201 - 204  for slidably engaging a plurality of bosses  211 - 214  extending from the moveable platen  120 . The slidable engagement of the plurality of channels  201 - 204  on the plurality of bosses  211 - 214  makes the tire retainer  200  independently movable relative to the moveable platen  120 . The tire retainer  200  is driven by conventional means (not shown). 
     FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 illustrating the movement of the optional tire retainer  200  along with the moveable platen  120 . The optional tire retainer  200  is shown moving concurrently with the moveable platen  120 . 
     FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 illustrating the continued movement of the optional tire retainer  200  with the moveable platen  120 . As the moveable platen  120  entraps the tire  14  between the moveable platen  120  and the first fixed platen  116 , the optional tire retainer  200  continues to move to cover the space between the moveable platen  120  and a first fixed platen  116 . 
     FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 illustrating the optional tire retainer  200  shown in a first operative position covering the space between the moveable platen  120  and the first fixed platen  116 . The optional tire retainer  200  retains the tire  14  or portions thereof between the moveable platen  120  and the first fixed platen  116  as the tire  14  liquifies under the simultaneous pressure and temperature. 
     FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 illustrating a reverse movement of the optional tire retainer  200  along with the moveable platen  120 . After the tire  14  between the moveable platen  120  and the first fixed platen  116  has been processed, the optional tire retainer  200  moves with the moveable platen  120  to process another tire between the moveable platen  120  and the second fixed platen  123 . 
     FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the optional tire retainer  200  returned to the second operative position covering the space between the moveable platen  120  and a second fixed platen  123 . The optional tire retainer  200  retains the tire  14  or portions thereof between the moveable platen  120  and the second fixed platen  123  as the tire  14  liquifies under the simultaneous pressure and temperature. 
     A significant part of the present invention is the application of heat in direct compression of the material to be pyrolyzed and as the process progresses. This direct compression of the material is achieved by maintaining substantially constant contact with the material remaining after partial pyrolyzing. The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue that is environmentally non-destructive with substantially no environmental release of atmospheric pollutants. The invention provides an improved apparatus and method for reclaiming non-volatile products andvolatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material which retains a portion of the volatile products for providing energy for operating the process making the process efficient and economical to operate. The improved apparatus and method can be automated thereby requiring minimum human intervention into the process. 
     Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.