Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Additional steps in mechanical recyling of PET

Full text
Author(s):
Mancini, Sandro Donnini [1] ; Saide Schwartzman, Jonas Age [1] ; Nogueira, Alex Rodrigues [1] ; Kagohara, Dennis Akira [1] ; Zanin, Maria [2]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Dept Environm Engn, BR-18087180 Sorocaba, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Reg Incubator Popular Cooperat INCOOP, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION; v. 18, n. 1, p. 92-100, JAN 2010.
Web of Science Citations: 15
Abstract

This study presents the laboratory scale results of an extra step in Poly (ethylene terephthalate) - PET mechanical recycling (grinding, washing, drying and reprocessing): a chemical washing after the conventional one. Cooking oil PET bottle flakes were washed in water and then subjected to a reaction with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide 5 M at 90 degrees C for 10 min (chemical washing). After rinsing and drying, the flakes were characterized by thermogravimetry, gas chromatography and elemental analysis tests. The results indicated that the chemically washed material had higher purity than PET washed only with water: 99.3% and 96.7%, respectively, which undoubtedly implies properties, applications and prices closer to those of virgin resin. The production of purified terephthalic acid (TPA) from the chemical washing residue was optimized and reached a purity of 99.6%. Despite the results, the use of chemically washed PET and of TPA obtained is not recommended for direct contact with food, since they still contain some impurities. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)