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Depolymerization method for resource recovery from polymeric wastes    
United States Patent5369215   
Link to this pagehttp://www.wikipatents.com/5369215.html
Inventor(s)Platz; Gerald A. (Conroe, TX)
AbstractPolymeric feedstocks, such as scrap or waste tires, rubber, and plastics, in a size range of -6 to +25 mesh are washed with an organic solvent to remove stabilizing additives which have migrated to the surface of the polymer particles, thus eliminating the stabilizers from participation in subsequent reactions and allowing the final production of more pure monomeric products. The polymer particles are exposed to ozone under conditions to cause stress cracking, fissuring and cleavage of the polymer feedstock particles. The ozonated polymer particles are depolymerized to produce one or more monomeric compounds, with the reaction taking place rapidly and occurring in the presence of a system of one or more catalysts which may be metallic salts. The depolymerization is accomplished under conditions of elevated temperatures and reduced pressure, the conditions being less severe than those conditions associated with thermal pyrolysis. The monomeric compounds are recovered by conventional means from otherwise waste polymers and are recycled. Other products of this invention may be collected and recycled or disposed of with no adverse impact on the environment.
   














 Title Information Submit all comments and votes
 
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Drawing from US Patent 5369215
Depolymerization method for resource recovery from polymeric wastes - US Patent 5369215 Drawing
Depolymerization method for resource recovery from polymeric wastes
Inventor     Platz; Gerald A. (Conroe, TX)
Owner/Assignee     S-P Reclamation, Inc. (Houston, TX)
Patent assignment
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Publication Date     * November 29, 1994
Application Number     08/107,281
PAIR File History     Application Data   Transaction History
Image File Wrapper   Patent Term   Fees
Litigation
Filing Date     August 16, 1993
US Classification     585/241 201/2.5 241/DIG.37 264/37.13 264/83 264/233 264/349 264/912 425/DIG.44
Int'l Classification     C07C 004/04 C07C 004/06
Examiner     Vargot; Mathieu
Assistant Examiner    
Attorney/Law Firm     Arnold, White & Durkee
Address
Parent Case     This patent application claims the benefit of and is a continuation-in-part of prior-filed copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/864,426 filed Apr. 6, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,640, entitled "Depolymerization Method for Resource Recovery From Polymeric Matters."
Priority Data    
USPTO Field of Search     585/241 264/37 264/83 264/238 264/349 264/233 264/28 264/130 264/DIG. 69 201/2.5 241/DIG. 37 425/DIG. 44
Patent Tags     depolymerization resource recovery polymeric wastes
   
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 Technical Review Submit all comments and votes
 Claims Submit all comments and votes
 


What is claimed is:

1. A process for recovering a monomer from a vulcanized addition polymer feedstock formed at least from the monomer and from compounded additives, comprising the steps of:

(a) washing the addition polymer feedstock to remove the additives from the surface of the feedstock;

(b) exposing the washed feedstock to gaseous ozone under conditions sufficient to rupture chemical bonds formed during the vulcanization process of the addition polymer feedstock and thereby form one or more intermediate products;

(c) heating in the presence of a catalyst the mixture formed in step (b) to a temperature and for a time sufficient to depolymerize the addition polymer and form the monomer; and

(d) removing the monomer following its formation from the mixture.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the washed addition polymer feedstock is exposed to a mixture of gaseous ozone and air.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the mixture of gaseous ozone and air comprises about 0.01 percent by weight of gaseous ozone.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the addition polymer feedstock is exposed to gaseous ozone under conditions to rupture cross-linked bonds of the addition polymer feedstock.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the addition polymer feedstock comprises particles ranging in size from about -6 to +25 mesh.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction of step (c) is carded out at a temperature of between about 200.degree. C. and about 600.degree. C.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction temperature of step (c) is cycled between about 300.degree. C. and 550.degree. C.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein the depolymerization reaction takes place in the presence of a thermocatalytic catalyst.

9. The process of claim 1 wherein the depolymerization reaction takes place in the presence of thermocatalytic catalyst system which is a combination of metallic halides.

10. The process of claim 9 wherein the thermocatalytic catalyst system is a combination of magnesium dichloride and aluminum trichloride.

11. The process of claim 10 wherein the molar ratio of the magnesium dichloride and aluminum trichloride is between about 1:1 and about 2:1.

12. The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction of step (c) is carried out at a pressure from about 0.05 to about 0.25 atmospheres.

13. The process of claim 1 wherein the addition polymer feedstock is rubber reclaimed from used tires.

14. The process of claim 1 wherein the addition polymer feedstock is of polyolefin origin.

15. The process of claim 1 wherein the addition polymer feedstock is made up of a blend of addition copolymer feedstocks.
 Description Submit all comments and votes
 


BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a depolymerization process for recovering the original monomers from which polymerized products such as scrap or waste tires, rubber and plastics were created. Although reference is made in this application primarily to scrap tires and the recovery of monomers therefrom, it should be understood that a number of different polymerized products can substitute for the scrap tires referenced herein. For example, any polyolefin origin feedstock may be used.

Each year approximately 240 million used tires are discarded. The vast majority of these used tires are put into landfills or, all too often, are disposed of illegally. Such disposal of scrap tires in landfills is becoming increasingly undesirable as significant environmental and social problems are associated with such activity. The availability of landfill space is diminishing, and there has been a national trend toward more stringent regulatory requirements on landfills. Hence, a considerable amount of attention has been devoted recently toward finding alternative uses for and methods of reclaiming scrap tires.

Some research and commercial efforts have been directed toward the development of new uses for old tires. Unprocessed used tires have been used in playgrounds, flower planters, and shoe soles, and tire pieces have been used as gaskets, shims, dock bumpers and shock absorbers. The use of processed used tires in road construction is also gaining some attention. Paving materials made from a combination of crumb rubber and asphalt may last up to three times as long as standard paving materials. However, because of the high costs associated with the use of scrap tires for roads, this approach has not gained wide acceptance. Studies continue to explore this use of scrap tires in addition to the somewhat more conventional use of tires as crash barriers and impact absorbers around highway and bridge abutments. However, these new uses for used tires only consume a minor portion of the annual accumulation of scrap tires.

Consequently, significant research and commercial activity has been directed toward development of the use of scrap tires as an energy source. The 240 million used tires discarded each year represent