The fabrication of conveyor rubber belt via bio‐oil obtained by rice husk pyrolysis

Abstract Bio‐oil, also called pyrolysis oil, bio‐fuel oil, pyrolytic oil, or liquid wood, is produced through biomass pyrolysis at high‐temperature decomposition without added oxygen. In this study, the use of the liquid product (bio‐oil) obtained as a result of the pyrolysis of rice husk was investigated. The aim of the work was the employment of obtained bio‐oil instead of rubber process oil and binder resin in rubber dough mixtures used in the production of conveyor belts. The bio‐oil obtained from pyrolysis of rice husk was used instead of resin and aromatic oil at rates of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% in the rubber fabrication. The optimum curing time was initially determined by rheometer tests before the vulcanization process. Then, the adhesion strengths rubber‐cloth (rubber‐weave) and cloth‐cloth (weave‐weave) of belt samples were tested and compared. Furthermore, the appearance and distribution on the surface of rubber samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the bio‐oil derived from rice husk pyrolysis can be effectively utilized in rubber products due to its ability to reduce curing time. Moreover, the torque values also increased as the amount of bio‐oil was increased. Highlights Bio‐oil was obtained by pyrolysis of rice husk. Bio‐oil was employed as rubber process oil and softener oil in rubber dough. The adhesion and rheometer tests of rubber belt samples were investigated. Rice husk‐derived bio‐oil decreased the curing time of rubber fabrication. The cross‐linking feature in the belt structure increased.