OPTIMIZATION OF RUBBER WASTE RECYCLING PROCESS

JDFVHM

Abstract

The increased volume of rubber waste is a significant environmental problem. One approach to solving this problem is to use crumb rubber in the production of modified bitumen. Currently, modification technologies involve the use of polymer additives acting as reinforcing agents. However, the use of polymeric modifiers, which are products of the chemical industry, increases production costs. In contrast, crumb rubber, which is a by-product of mechanical rubber processing, serves as an economically advantageous resource. Temperature and time regimes and the number of steps in the process of bitumen modification using crumb rubber are poorly understood, giving rise to a multitude of opinions and production methods. This is a key factor that does not allow to effectively and fully replace the used polymers with crumb rubber in production. This paper presents an experimental study aimed at optimizing the process of using waste rubber in the modification of petroleum bitumen. The basis of the conducted experiment is the study of the degree of swelling of crumb rubber in bitumen by extraction with acetone. On the basis of analyzed parameters the efficiency of step-by-step preparation of modified bitumen is estimated. A two-stage technology including preliminary formation of bitumen-rubber composite to improve the rheological properties of the material is developed.