Cavitation desulfurization in vulcanized rubber recycling under ultra-high pressure water jet

Abstract

Abstract Ultra-high pressure water jet is proposed for recycling of vulcanized waste rubber, and cavitation desulfurization in the recycling process is analyzed. The chemical effects of mechanical shearing, pyrolysis, free radical oxidation, and supercritical oxidation produced by bubble collapse are considered the main causes of desulfurization. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance test, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to determine the performance of rubber powder. Gel fraction of rubber powder is measured to analyze the effect of jet pressure on desulfurization. Results indicate that the vulcanized rubber could achieve partial desulfurization. The glass transition temperature of the rubber powder slightly increases after crushing. With the increase of jet pressure, the gel fraction of rubber powder initially decreases and then increases, as well as achieves a minimum value at the jet pressure of nearly 220 MPa, which is ideal for desulfurization.