Patent ID: 10131760

Abstract:
A method of devulcanizing crosslinked rubber uses a planetary roller extruder with a central spindle, planetary spindles, a housing, and a feed part. The method includes feeding vulcanized rubber through the feed part into the housing, rotating the central spindle about its rotational axis and thereby causing the planetary spindles to rotate about their rotational axes and revolve about the central spindle. This generates mechanical and thermal stress on the vulcanized rubber by kneading and/or crushing of the vulcanized rubber, breaking or destroying the molecular chains or bonds of the vulcanized rubber. The method further includes at least one of (A) adding particles of the vulcanized rubber eccentrically to the center of the planetary roller extruder module between the planetary spindles and (B) mechanically pressing particles of the vulcanized rubber between the planetary spindles with a crammer feeder.