Energy reclamation treatments use tyres as a supplementary non-fossil fuel for electricity generation, fuelling of cement kilns and pulp mills and other uses. In Scandinavia, the United States, Japan and the UK, among others, energy reclamation is one of the main uses of post-consumer tyres.

Concerns about:

  1. the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels
  2. the reduction of emissions, in particular oxides of nitrogen, which affect air quality
  3. the use of coal as a principal fuel

have, in turn, led to greatly improved methods of emissions control, which have made the incineration of tyres a truly viable source of energy. Research indicates that the concentration of PCAH (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in tyre derived fuel is ‘below the danger limit for humans’.

The net calorific value of a tyre is between 32 and 34 MJ/kg. One ton of tyres is the equivalent to one ton of good quality coal, or to 0.7 tons of fuel oil. Each tyre represents a significant quantity of energy, not only in terms of the heat that is recoverable through direct combustion (15,000 Btu/lb), but also in terms of the amount of energy consumed in processing petroleum and natural gas into the materials and manufacturing of tyres:

Carbon Black – 40,000 Btu/lb

Processing Oil – 18,000 Btu/lb

Elastomers – 24,000 Btu/lb

Tirec produces two sorts of Tyre Derived Fuel, baled tyres and crumb. Below you will find downloadable brochures setting out further details of these products. If you require further information please contact Tirec Ltd either by email at  enquiries@tirecgroup.co.uk or by calling 01527 525877.

Reference: Using science to create a better place.  The use of substitute fuels in the UK cement and lime industries. Science Report: SCO30168
tyre-derived-fuel3