Studies On the Stability Behavior of a Depolymerization Reaction Based On Modified Denbigh Scheme for the Reclamation of Waste Tires

It is estimated that 70% of the annual production of polybutadiene (PBd) goes into tire manufacture. As the value of the monomer in the waste tires is lot higher than the value attained from using waste tires as fuel, reclamation is considered to be more valuable than incineration. It is believed that a systematic study of the thermodynamics, involving both reaction equilibria and phase behavior, can lead to a better understanding of PBd. Once optimal pressure, temperature and catalyst conditions of the reactor are obtained at the depolymerization step, it will add value by resource recovery.

In this study, a state space model representing a depolymerization reaction  is used to understand the stability behavior of a depolymerization reaction based on a modified Denbigh scheme of reactions. The Denbigh reaction scheme has two reactions in series and two reactions in parallel, involving five distinct species. The different instabilities that may arise from the system are studied. This helps in the final design and optimization of yield of the valuable material in the tires for reclamation, thereby leading to a green sustainable economy.