Method of cleaning plastics using super and subcritical media

Patent · Tue May 26 04:00:00 EDT 1998

OSTI ID:871572

Sawan, Samuel P ^[1]; Spall, W Dale ^[2]; Talhi, Abdelhafid ^[3]

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1. Tyngsborough, MA
2. Los Alamos, NM
3. Nashua, NH

A method for treating a plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, to remove at least a portion of at least one contaminant includes combining the plastic with a supercritical medium, such as carbon dioxide or sulfur hexafluoride, whereby at least a portion of the contaminant dissolves in the supercritical medium. Alternatively, the plastic can be combined with a suitable liquid medium, such as carbon dioxide or liquid sulfur hexafluoride. At least a portion of the medium, containing the dissolved contaminant, is separated from the plastic, thereby removing at least a portion of the contaminant from the plastic.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM
• Assignee: University of Massachusetts Lowell (Lowell, MA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5756657
• Application Number: 08/670,585
• OSTI ID: 871572
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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