Experimental investigation on the application of recycled tires polymer fibers as a BTEX removal material

Abstract

Hydrocarbons from BTEX group are dangerous pollutants that can cause a threat to environment and human health. In many cases, their presence in an ecosystem is the result of accidents and petroleum products spills. For this reason, novel, more efficient sorbents are needed for immobilization of such pollutants. This paper presents an experimental study of recycled tires polymer fibers (RTPF) used as a low-cost sorbent for BTEX compounds in soils treated with cement. RTPF are a type of waste that contains polymer fibers with high content of rubber particles. The high porosity and large specific surface area of rubber result in possibility of use of RTPF as a removal material. Effectiveness of the application of RTPF as a BTEX removal material was evaluated on a basis of concentrations values above the surface of reacting mixture (at 25 ± 3 °C). It was found that RTPF addition increased BTEX immobilization efficacy, compared to the use of Portland cement alone. The maximum percentage reduction in BTEX compounds concentration was 33% for toluene. Lower level of removal was observed for ethylbenzene (21%), and substantially, small efficacy was noted for xylenes (8%) and benzene (7%). Additionally, in order to evaluate mechanical properties of soil-cement composites, analysis of their compressive strength after 28 days of maturation was performed. Tests showed a decrease in the compressive strength of soil-cement monoliths containing RTPF.

Fly Ash as an Ingredient in the Contaminated Soil Stabilization Process

“…For all samples, the maximum concentration of benzene was recorded between the 30th and the 45th seconds of the process (Figure 3). The research confirmed that the risk of releasing significant amounts of gaseous contaminants occurs mainly during the homogenization of dry components (soil and PC-CFA mixture) [76,77].…”

“…Donaldson et al [83] reported that the introduction of water accelerates the removal from the soil of hydrocarbons found in gasoline. This phenomenon was observed in research of the neutralization of soils contaminated with ethylbenzene or xylenes [76,77]. Water fills the pores of the soil and blocks minerals' specific surface area.…”

“…In each trial, the emission of 90% of the total quantity of benzene released during the process occurred between 100 and 150 s of the homogenization phase. The properties of the solvent and used removal material have a significant influence on gaseous contaminant emission characteristics [77]. The main mechanisms of the discussed benzene removal technology are adsorption and physical encapsulation processes.…”

Catalytic oxidative desulphurization of pyrolytic oils to fuels over different waste derived carbon-based catalysts

“…The simpler methods are their use as inert filler for constructions [5,6] and as road asphalt [7] or for the direct production of raw materials such as rubber [8][9][10] and textiles [11]. Alternatively, thermochemical routes are cost-effective approaches for end-life tires treatment avoiding the complexity of alternative management routes [12] such their conversion through pyrolytic techniques [13,14].…”

Influence of different dry‐mixing techniques on the mechanical, thermal, and electrical behavior of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene/exhausted tire carbon composites

“…The relevant production of this commodity that has led to the accumulation of millions of end-life tires per year and their challenge in recyclability, because of their resistance to harsh mechanical and weather conditions, have exacerbated the problem, and nowadays, about 66% of exhausted tires is confined in landfill (outside Europe) or incinerated. 3 A smaller part of the tires is recovered through industrial process for raw materials recycling (i.e., as inert filler for asphalt 4 and construction, 5,6 for the production of textile materials 7 and rubber [8][9][10] ), for gasification and pyrolysis. These thermochemical routes are cost-effective approaches for end-life tires management and provide an interesting opportunity with a view to a "zero waste" circular economy.…”