Procedure for the devulcanization of scrap rubber and/or elastomers and apparatus therefor

A method of devulcanizing vulcanized material comprising cross-linked rubber or cross-linked elastomers, using a planetary roller extruder comprising a housing, a central spindle, and planetary spindles disposed between and configured to mesh with said central spindle and said housing, said method comprising the steps of:

• feeding vulcanized material into a feed zone of said planetary roller extruder;
• operating said planetary roller extruder by rotating said central spindle about its rotational axis, and thereby both rotating said planetary spindles about each of their rotational axes and revolving said planetary spindles about said central spindle;
• feeding vulcanized material from said feed zone into a first treatment zone;
• generating mechanical and thermal stress on said vulcanized material in said first treatment zone by kneading and/or crushing to begin devulcanization;
• feeding treated vulcanized material from said first treatment zone, through a dispersion ring, and to a second treatment zone, and generating additional mechanical and thermal stress on said treated vulcanized material by restricting movement of said vulcanized material through said dispersion ring;
• generating additional mechanical and thermal stress on said treated vulcanized material in said second treatment zone by kneading and/or crushing to further and/or complete devulcanization;
• and
• said step of generating mechanical and thermal stress on said vulcanized material in said first treatment zone comprising:
• (A) heating said vulcanized material in a heating zone, which heating zone comprises its own set of planetary rollers and temperature control;
• and/or
• (B) starting devulcanization in a start zone, which start zone comprises its own set of planetary rollers and temperature control.