The application of molecular beam mass spectrometry to the problem of plastics recycling through intelligent chemical processing
- National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States); and others
The increased use of mixed plastics and composites has presented a difficult problem for recycling. Selective pyrolysis can be used to thermally and catalytically recover the starting material(s) or other high-value chemicals from mixed plastic waste streams. This technique is currently being applied to the development and scale-up of chemical recycling techniques for a variety of mixed polymer waste streams such as nylon-6 carpet, polyurethane foam, polyester/cotton blends, and mixed waste bottles. Numerous small scale screening experiments are necessary prior to scale-up to identify the appropriate catalyst(s) and conditions to optimize the separation and recovery for each of the waste streams. Milligram scale experiments can be studied using pyrolysis molecular beam mass spectrometer (py-MBMS). The effective quenching of species in their sampled state through free-jet expansion makes py-MBMS a valuable tool for identifying pyrolysis products. Characterization, property prediction, product identification, catalyst selection and parameter optimization are all aided by applying multivariate statistical techniques to py-MBMS data. The large database generated in these studies makes it possible to extract information to gain insight into optimal process conditions for larger scale processes. Py-MBMS spectra for new waste streams can also be collected and projected into the database for qualitative and quantitative identification. Nearest neighbor(s) identification narrows the array of possible recycling pathways. As the database grows, the time for evaluation of recycling processes for new waste streams can be dramatically reduced. Intelligent chemical processing (ICP) is the application of the information gained at the laboratory scale to the definition and development of new recycling technologies.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 110853
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-433-7748; CONF-9410343-; ON: DE95004052; TRN: 95:005145-0028
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Applications of free-jet, molecular beam, mass spectrometric sampling conference, Estes Park, CO (United States), 11-14 Oct 1994; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Applications of free-jet, molecular beam, mass spectrometric sampling: Proceedings; Milne, T. [ed.]; PB: 305 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Chemical recycling of mixed waste plastics by selective pyrolysis
In-plant demonstration of energy optimization in beck dyeing of carpet. Final report, June 1, 1979-January 1, 1980