In this paper we have studied the kinetics of the thermal decomposition of
scrap tire using nonisothermal thermogravimetric methods. Experiments were
carried out over the temperature range of 20-600 degrees C at different hea
ting rates and with various powder sizes. Under the conditions studied, the
heating rate has a significant effect on the pyrolysis process while the p
owder size has little effect on it. The results indicated that the pyrolysi
s process of tire powder consisted of three stages which are related to the
degradation of different tire materials. Two models were developed to simu
late this pyrolysis process and to determine the kinetic and process parame
ters. The predictions by the two models agree well with experimental data.