Methods of Using Tires and Scrap Rubber in the Manufacture and Melting of Steel and Other Metals

Abstract

A method of using scrap rubber and other scrap materials, such as tires or parts or pieces of tires, to manufacture or melt steel and other metals in a furnace is disclosed. The scrap rubber may be used as a carbon source for the manufacture of steel and other metals, and may be used as an energy source to melt the scrap metal used to make the steel and other metals. The net benefit of this method includes reducing the amount of scrap rubber, such as tires, to be sent to a waste disposal facility or landfill, thereby improving the environment. In addition, by increasing the use of scrap rubber as a source of energy for steel or metal production, less energy is required from other sources.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A steel or metal alloy product made from a process comprising the steps of:
 applying a quantity of metal into a furnace;   applying a quantity of an energy source into the same furnace,   wherein the quantity of an energy source is selected from the group consisting of whole tires, tire pieces, tire parts, tire sections, tire bales, tire powder, tire particles, tire chunks, waste hoses, carbon-based rubber materials, rubber pieces, rubber parts, rubber sections, rubber powder, rubber particles, rubber chunks, carbon-based waste materials and carbon-based scrap materials,   wherein the quantity of an energy source combusts in the furnace,   wherein the combustion of the quantity of an energy source in the furnace aids in forming liquid metal in the furnace,   wherein the quantity of an energy source aids in converting the carbon monoxide gas to carbon dioxide gas in the furnace, and   wherein the quantity of an energy source increases the carbon level of the liquid metal.   
     
     
         2 . The product of  claim 1  wherein the step of applying the quantity of metal and the step of applying the quantity of an energy source are performed at the same time. 
     
     
         3 . The product of  claim 1  wherein the step of applying the quantity of metal is performed prior to the step of applying the quantity of an energy source. 
     
     
         4 . The product of  claim 1  wherein the step of applying the quantity of metal is performed after the step of applying the quantity of an energy source. 
     
     
         5 . The product of  claim 1  further comprising the step of applying coal or coke to the furnace. 
     
     
         6 . The product of  claim 5  wherein the coal or coke is mixed with the quantity of an energy source prior to being applied to the furnace. 
     
     
         7 . The product of  claim 2  wherein the furnace is an electric arc furnace. 
     
     
         8 . The product of  claim 7  wherein the quantity of metal and the quantity of an energy source are placed in a charge bucket prior to being applied to the furnace. 
     
     
         9 . The product of  claim 3  wherein the quantity of metal is placed in a charge bucket prior to being applied to the furnace. 
     
     
         10 . The product of  claim 3  wherein the quantity of an energy source is placed in a charge bucket prior to being applied to the furnace. 
     
     
         11 . The product of  claim 2  wherein the quantity of metal and the quantity of an energy source are placed on a conveyor prior to being applied to the furnace. 
     
     
         12 . The product of  claim 4  wherein the quantity of metal and the quantity of an energy source are placed on a conveyor prior to being applied to the furnace.