Process for reclaiming rubber, metal and fabric from whole tires

Claim 1

A process for the recovery of components in tire scrap having magnetic components and non-magnetic cord and rubber components combined therein comprising the steps of: (a) cooling the tire scrap in a first freezing zone to the embrittlement temperature; (b) comminuting the cooled scrap in a first comminution zone to effect a first size reduction thereof; (c) magnetically separating the discharge from the first comminuting zone into a magnetic fraction and a substantially non-magnetic rubber and cord fraction containing residual magnetic components; (d) separating the non-magnetic rubber and cord fraction in a first separating zone into at least a fine stream, an intermediate stream and a coarse stream; (e) subjecting at least the intermediate stream to density separation by pneumatic fluidization for forming at least a light fraction and a heavy fraction; (f) magnetically separating the residual magnetic components present in the heavy fraction from the non-magnetic components, thereby forming a purified rubber fraction; (g) subjecting the purified rubber fraction to a second size reduction by substantially simultaneous cryogenic freezing and grinding in a combined freezing-grinding zone to form purified fine rubber particles; and (h) separating the purified fine rubber particles in a second separation zone to form crumb having a particle size of about 1/20 of an inch or less and a coarse fraction and recovering the crumb as product.