Abstract: Methods for surface treatment of polyester substrates are described. Treatment methods include adherence of a polymer layer on a surface of the polyester so as to increase the hydrophilic properties of the surface. Polymers can be polyelectrolytes that are adsorbed at the surface or polymer brushes that are polymerized at the surface. Further surface functionalization can include the adherence of inorganic nanoparticles to the surface. The polyester substrates can be recycled polyester such as recycled polyethylene terephthalate that has been subjected to a partial saponification reaction during the recycling process.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process for separating and recovering post-consumer polyester from various contaminant materials. The invention can be utilized to separate post-consumer polyester from various contaminants including glass, dirt, paper, metal, glue, dye, and the like. The disclosed process includes several stages including a preparation stage, in which a portion of the contaminants can be removed from the polyester, as well as a reaction stage, in which a portion of the polyester can be saponified and contaminants can be physically separated from the polyester. In addition, during the reaction stage, certain hard-to-separate contaminants, such as aluminum and polyvinyl chloride, can react to a form more easily separable from the polyester.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process for separating and recovering post-consumer polyester from various contaminant materials. The invention can be utilized to separate post-consumer polyester from various contaminants including glass, dirt, paper, metal, glue, dye, and the like. The disclosed process includes several stages including a preparation stage, in which a portion of the contaminants can be removed from the polyester, as well as a reaction stage, in which a portion of the polyester can be saponified and contaminants can be physically separated from the polyester. In addition, during the reaction stage, certain hard-to-separate contaminants, such as aluminum and polyvinyl chloride, can react to a form more easily separable from the polyester.

Abstract: A method for separating polyester materials from contaminants is disclosed suitable for, for example, a polyester recycling system. The method is a dry separation method and includes rapidly spinning a mixture of polyester and contaminants within a cleaning chamber. During the spinning of the mixture, the contaminants can be degraded and pass through a screen at the chamber wall while the polyester materials are not substantially degraded and can remain in the cleaning chamber. Polyester fines can also remain in the cleaning chamber. A cleaning device suitable for use in the process is also disclosed. The device can include a screen of a hardened material that can help degrade the contaminants and a plurality of rotating blades that can spin the mixture within the device and can also help to degrade the contaminant materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for separating polyester, and particularly polyethylene terephthalate, from various contaminants and impurities. In general, the process includes the steps of mixing materials containing polyester with an alkaline composition in a mixer. The mixer imparts sufficient energy to the slurry to provide substantially complete, even coating of the polyester containing materials with the alkaline composition and cause saponification of the outer surface of the polyester with the alkaline composition. After reaction in the mixer, the mixture is heated causing some of the impurities to be chemically modified into a more separable form. After heating, the mixture can be washed with water and the polyester can be easily separated from the remaining impurities. Through the process of the present invention, polyester can be separated and recovered from waste materials such as those containing polyvinyl chloride and aluminum.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for separating polyester, and particularly polyethylene terephthalate, from various contaminants and impurities. In general, the process includes the steps of mixing materials containing polyester with an alkaline composition in a mixer. The mixer imparts sufficient energy to the slurry to provide substantially complete, even coating of the polyester containing materials with the alkaline composition and cause saponification of the outer surface of the polyester with the alkaline composition. After reaction in the mixer, the mixture is heated causing some of the impurities to be chemically modified into a more separable form. After heating, the mixture can be washed with water and the polyester can be easily separated from the remaining impurities. Through the process of the present invention, polyester can be separated and recovered from waste materials such as those containing polyvinyl chloride and aluminum.

Abstract: A silver recovery device for recovering silver from silver containing fluids is provided. The silver recovery device includes an outside container having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A silver recovery cartridge, positioned within the outside container, includes a silver recovery element surrounded by a liner. In one embodiment, the liner can include a sealed top for allowing the cartridge to be pressurized with fluid. Also, the silver recovery device can include a filter element for filtering the fluids prior to exiting the device.

Abstract: A process for recycling polyester contained in waste materials is provided. The polyester is converted into a corresponding acid salt of a polybasic organic acid and a polyol. The process steps generally include first combining materials containing polyester with an alkaline composition to form a mixture. The mixture is heated, causing the polyester to convert to the acid salt and polyol. The polyol is evaporated and separated from the acid salt.