Today, recycling end-of-life tires is critical for environmental sustainability. One of the various methods used in tire recycling is the water spray technique. This is an innovative technology that uses high-pressure water to effectively decompose and shred tires.
Fundamentals of the Water Spray Method
Water blasting is the process of cutting and separating tires using the kinetic energy of high-pressure water. Usually a pressure between 2000-4000 bar is applied. This high pressure allows the tires to be separated into rubber, steel and textile components.
Advantages
- Environmentally Friendly: The water spray method is carried out without the use of chemicals, which minimizes environmental damage. Furthermore, water reuse is possible, which reduces water consumption.
- Efficiency: High-pressure water ensures that tires are cut quickly and effectively, which speeds up the recycling process.
- Low Thermal Damage: Compared to mechanical cutting methods, there is no thermal damage to the material during water blasting. This ensures that the physical and chemical properties of the rubber are preserved.
Application Areas
Water spraying is used for granulating and pulverizing tires. These granules and powders can be used in various industrial applications, e.g. sports fields, artificial turf fields and asphalt pavements. In addition, steel and textile components can also be recovered and reused.
Challenges and Enhancements
The initial cost of high-pressure water spray equipment can be high. However, the environmental and economic benefits of this method may offset the costs in the long run. Water management and filtration systems must also be carefully planned.
As a result, water spraying offers an innovative and sustainable solution for tire recycling. This technology offers major environmental and economic benefits and is contributing to significant progress in the tire recycling sector. Wider adoption of this method will ensure effective management of tire waste.
