Abstract: Various methods of reshaping and recycling thermoset polymers and composites containing thermoset polymers are provided. The methods involve the bond exchange reaction of exchangeable covalent bonds in the polymer matrix with a suitable small molecule solvent in the presence of a catalyst. In some aspects, the methods are applied to a carbon fiber reinforced polymer or a thermoset polymer where the thermoset polymer matrix includes a plurality of ester bonds. Using a small molecule alcohol, the methods provide for recycling one or both of the carbon fiber and the polymer, for welding two surfaces, or for repairing a damaged surface in the materials.

Abstract: A dynamic process for upcycling polymers. Polymers from a diverse post-consumer waste stream are gathered in a mixture. The mixture is extruded and combined with a liquid additive containing a particular PE wax at the verge of polymerization. The liquid additive is repolymerized into LDPE to form pellets. The pellets are delivered into a reactor and submerged in a suitable solvent to dissolve the LDPE. Causing a gradual and orderly separation of the remaining polymers from one another, resulting in a layered substrate. The suitable solvent, enzymes or depolymerizing compatible chemical is delivered into the reactor through independent pipes attached to tanks containing the suitable depolymerizing agent. The process repeats depolymerizing the layered substrate layer by layer with additional suitable solvents/enzymes or depolymerizing agents for each of the polymers resulting in the dissolving of the remaining polymers in an orderly manner producing a layered wax-like material for upcycling.

Abstract: An extrusion process of a manufacturing system for plastic which also serves as a depolymerization reactor through the use of melting point's temperature as activation energy and liquid solvents. The melting point activation energy and liquid solvents are used to generate a certain level of depolymerization at the manufacturing process of any given plastic product. The process includes several variables that are used in determining a final additive that is introduced at the beginning of the extrusion process. The final additive includes a mixture of a liquid solvents, a molecular filler, chemical carriers, and stabilizers.

Abstract: There are provided processes for recycling waste such as polystyrene thermoplastic polymer waste and/or polystyrene thermoplastic copolymer waste as well as recycled polystyrene thermoplastic polymer and/or recycled thermoplastic copolymer that may, for example, be obtained from such processes. The processes can comprise dissolving the waste in cymene, xylene or ethylbenzene or a suitable solvent, to obtain a mixture followed by heating the mixture under acidic conditions and then optionally neutral conditions in the presence of a reducing agent then cooling to obtain a supernatant comprising polystyrene thermoplastic polymer and/or polystyrene thermoplastic copolymer and a solid waste residue.

Abstract: An extrusion process of a manufacturing system for plastic which also serves as a depolymerization reactor through the use of melting point's temperature as activation energy and liquid solvents. The melting point activation energy and liquid solvents are used to generate a certain level of depolymerization at the manufacturing process of any given plastic product. The process includes several variables that are used in determining a final additive that is introduced at the beginning of the extrusion process. The final additive includes a mixture of a liquid solvents, a molecular filler, chemical carriers, and stabilizers.

Abstract: Processes of treating plastic waste that include converting one or more plastic polymers into a liquid form either by dissolving in an organic solvent or by melting, and degrading the polymer(s) with the aid of alkali hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide are described. The processes can be performed in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides carpet fibers prepared from a blend of polymeric components, said fiber exhibiting improved properties, such as improved spinnability and improved fire resistance. The carpet fibers particularly comprise a majority of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and a minority of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The invention further provides yarns and carpets prepared from the inventive fibers, said yarns and carpets likewise exhibiting improved properties. The invention also provides methods of improving various physical properties (such as fire resistance, spinnability, and elongation) of a polymeric composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to expanded polyester materials comprised of polyester/acrylic elastomer blend having an improved ductility and impact resistance, while the compression strength, shear strength/modulus of polyesters remain almost unchanged or unworsened. Addition of a non-reactive/reactive acrylic mixture serving as the blend partner improves the melt strength in an expanding process and leads to a better impact resistance of expanded aromatic polyester materials. All expanded polyester materials are produced with help of a reactive process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating two or more components of a plastic material for the purposes of recycling, with particular application to purifying poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) during recycling procedures. The process comprises contacting a quantity of the plastic material with one or more discrete pre-heated particles.

Abstract: Compositions containing a turpentine liquid and methods are disclosed for dissolving, dissolving via melting, selectively dissolving via melting, decomposing plastic comprising a chlorine-containing polymer or thermosetting polymer, and/or co-dissolving plastic with fossil fuel for purifying, separating, recovering or recycling plastic-containing material.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide titanium oxide granules that have a novel structure and have a characteristic of highly efficient decomposing capability, and a method of decomposing plastic and organic waste by using the granules. The present invention has been completed based on the finding that a method of decomposing plastic waste by using titanium oxide granules having a transition metal and/or a transition metal oxide, in particular copper, supported thereon enables decomposition of plastic waste at extremely high efficiency in a low-temperature region for a long period of time as compared to methods of decomposing plastic waste by using the related-art titanium oxide granules.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for recycling of plastic waste comprising: segregating plastic waste collected from various sources followed by cleaning of the segregated plastic waste to obtain segregated cleaned waste; grinding of the segregated cleaned waste to obtain grinded waste; introducing the grinded waste into an extrusion line having a venting extruder component as part of the extrusion line, to obtain molten plastic; and removing the impurities by vacuum venting of the molten plastic to obtained recycled plastic free from impurities. The present disclosure further relates to various articles like Industrial Post Recycled (IPR) plastic tubes, blow moulded bottles, pallates, manufactured from the recycled plastic waste.

Abstract: Backings for carpet and carpet tiles are formed from various post-consumer and/or post-industrial polymeric waste materials, for example, post-consumer textile waste material (e.g., carpet and carpet tiles), post-industrial textile waste material (e.g., carpet and/or carpet tiles), and/or other post-consumer and/or post-industrial polymeric materials.

Abstract: Compositions containing a turpentine liquid and methods are disclosed for dissolving, dissolving via melting, selectively dissolving via melting, decomposing plastic comprising a chlorine-containing polymer or thermosetting polymer, and/or co-dissolving plastic with fossil fuel for purifying, separating, recovering or recycling plastic-containing material.

Abstract: Process for recovering a polymer by injection of steam, and optionally liquid water, into a solution of this polymer comprising a polar aprotic organic solvent (PAOS) that has an azeotrope with water and an apolar organic compound that is miscible with the PAOS and immiscible with water and that acts as a phase separation agent (PSA), the boiling point of which is below that of the water/PAOS azeotrope, the amount of steam injected being sufficient to give rise to the substantial removal of the PSA via stripping and that of the PAOS via azeotropic distillation, and the total amount of water being sufficient to give rise to the precipitation of the polymer, this process being characterized in that the polymer solution also comprises an alcohol, at least during the precipitation of the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating two or more components of a plastic material for the purposes of recycling, with particular application to purifying poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) during recycling procedures. The process comprises contacting a quantity of the plastic material with one or more discrete pre-heated particles.

Abstract: Process for recycling a fiber reinforced polymer article, according to which the article, eventually cut in fragments, is dissolved in a solvent capable of dissolving the polymer but not the fibers and which is susceptible of forming an azeotrope with water, forming a solution; the fibers are recovered from the solution; the fibers are washed with solvent by putting them in the form of a slurry in the solvent and by agitating the slurry and/or by making the solvent circulate through it; the washed fibers are recovered from the slurry; and the recovered fibers are submitted to a stripping with steam in order to substantially remove the solvent.

Abstract: Method for purifying a solution of at least one plastic in a solvent, the said solution comprising insolubles, whereby the solution is purified using a centrifugal settler.

Abstract: A coated fabric with a first fabric layer having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first fabric layer is comprised of a first polymer, and a first coating layer that is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the first fabric layer, wherein the first coating layer is comprised of the first polymer is disclosed. Fabricating the coated fabric can comprise providing a fabric, and applying or bonding at least a portion of a polymeric layer onto at least a portion of a first surface. The coated fabrics can advantageously serve as a protective barrier against natural elements with a long service life. One of more coated fabrics can act as a barrier to prevent seepage of water into the ground and/or serve as a surface for printing and decoration. The present coated fabrics can also be tailored to specific applications.

Abstract: A surfacing composition made of recycled paint, which requires no priming, has a non-reflective “flat” appearance, and is partially composed of dried paint. The composition provides a useful application for used or excess household paint, which would otherwise require special methods of disposal and potentially create future toxic cleanup problems. The composition is made of granular dried paint and a water-based sealer, which can be spread on a surface to repair imperfections. The surface can then be finished, and no priming is required. Due to the composition's flat appearance, the patch does not display any characteristic sheen where the repair has been made. The composition provides a simple means of recycling paint, and provides a simple and inexpensive means of repairing imperfections in walls and other surfaces while saving the step of priming the patch before painting or repainting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of waste in a reactor (3) comprising the steps of combining the waste to be processed and an aqueous, alkaline solution to form a reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture to a temperature range between 140° C. to 250° C. and a pressure between 3 bar and 12 bar to produce at least one aqueous, organic phase, a gas phase and optionally a solid phase, removing the gas phase from the reactor (3), separating the organic and aqueous components of the gas phase, in particular by means of a rectification column and feeding the aqueous components of the gas phase back into the reactor.

Abstract: A composite formulation consisting of agglomerated industrial/residential sewer sludge and recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or polypropylene (PP) materials. The recycled plastic materials act as a binder for the pozzolan industrial/residential sewer sludge. The composite formulation can be produced in a batching process wherein the sieved dried sewer sludge and the recycled plastic in appropriate small cut pieces is fed into a large plastic extruder, heated and extruded into specific structures. The formulation can also be compounded using a compression mold wherein sieved dry sewer sludge are added to heated chopped recycled plastics and heat mixed to produce pellets or directed into a compression mold to create a structural member of predetermined shape.

Abstract: Backings for carpet and carpet tiles are formed from various post-consumer and/or post-industrial polymeric waste materials, for example, post-consumer textile waste material (e.g., carpet and carpet tiles), post-industrial textile waste material (e.g., carpet and/or carpet tiles), and/or other post-consumer and/or post-industrial polymeric materials.

Abstract: Process for the purification of a vinyl chloride polymer (PVC) comprising at least one compound of a heavy metal, according to which: (a) the PVC is dissolved in a water-miscible polar organic solvent; (b) an aqueous solution comprising a reagent, which is either a base capable of reacting with the compound of the heavy metal (R1) or a dispersing agent capable of stabilizing the said compound (R2), is added to the organic solution, the water being introduced in an amount (Q) such that it brings about the formation of a two-phase medium, the continuous phase of which is the organic phase; (c) the two-phase medium is subjected to stirring for a time sufficient for the reagent to be able to interact with (exert its effect on) the compound of the heavy metal; (d) the precipitation of the PVC out of this two-phase medium is brought about.

Abstract: Process for recycling a fiber reinforced polymer article, according to which the article, eventually cut in fragments, is dissolved in a solvent capable of dissolving the polymer but not the fibers and which is susceptible of forming an azeotrope with water, forming a solution; the fibers are recovered from the solution; the fibers are washed with solvent by putting them in the form of a slurry in the solvent and by agitating the slurry and/or by making the solvent circulate through it; the washed fibers are recovered from the slurry; and the recovered fibers are submitted to a stripping with steam in order to substantially remove the solvent.

Abstract: Method for recovering a polymer from a liquid medium (1) substantially containing the polymer and a solvent for the latter, wherein: (a) this liquid medium (1) is injected into a reactor (2) containing a stirred substantially monophase liquid mixture comprising a major fraction by weight of a non-solvent and a minor fraction by weight of a solvent, the mixture having a composition and temperature such that the polymer precipitates therefrom progressively; (b) the polymer is recovered in the form of particles in suspension (5) in a liquid rich in non-solvent; (c) the polymer particles (9) are separated from the liquid.

Abstract: A pulverized thermoplastic resin product such as a pulverized thermoplastic product containing a black pigment, a mixture of a pulverized thermoplastic product containing a colored pigment and a pulverized thermoplastic product containing a colored pigment, or a pulverized thermoplastic product containing two or more different colored pigments can be converted into colored reclaimed resin particles by a method comprising the steps of mixing the pulverized resin product with a white pigment and a black pigment, melting the resulting mixture, and converting the molten mixture into solid particles. The colored reclaimed resin products can be utilized in various field.

Abstract: The present invention provides, e.g., methods to recycle and/or reduce plastic, non-plastic, or a combination thereof, from a waste stream. The methods of the present invention include contacting the plastic waste with infrared (IR) energy at one or more frequencies and at one or more intensities, over a period of time effective to heat plastic present in the plastic waste.

Abstract: Techniques for creating recycled plastic materials from waste plastic materials are described. A recycled plastic material contains at least a primary polymer, a secondary polymer, and residual additives. Predetermined properties of the recycled plastic material can be controlled by selecting the types of waste plastic materials used in the recycling feed, determining the types and amounts of recycled plastic material recovered from a separation process and blending the recycled plastic material with other materials.

Abstract: Process for recovering at least one polymer in solution in a solvent by precipitation by means of a non-solvent introduced gradually into the solution to form the precipitation medium, whereby: in the course of the introduction of the non-solvent into the precipitation medium, there is first a phase separation (into a continuous phase rich in solvent, in which the polymer is dissolved, and into a disperse phase, consisting of droplets rich in non-solvent) and then there is a phase inversion (the continuous phase then becoming the phase rich in non-solvent, and the disperse phase becoming the phase rich in solvent containing the dissolved polymer) the non-solvent is initially introduced into the precipitation medium in liquid form only and in a quantity (Q?) which is not zero but is less than the quantity (Q) required to bring about the phase inversion, and is subsequently introduced into the precipitation medium at least partly in vapour form.

Abstract: Process for recovering a polymer by injection of steam, and optionally liquid water, into a solution of this polymer comprising a polar aprotic organic solvent (PAOS) that has an azeotrope with water and an apolar organic compound that is miscible with the PAOS and immiscible with water and that acts as a phase separation agent (PSA), the boiling point of which is below that of the water/PAOS azeotrope, the amount of steam injected being sufficient to give rise to the substantial removal of the PSA via stripping and that of the PAOS via azeotropic distillation, and the total amount of water being sufficient to give rise to the precipitation of the polymer, this process being characterized in that the polymer solution also comprises an alcohol, at least during the precipitation of the polymer.

Abstract: Process for recovering at least one polymer in solution in a solvent by precipitation by means of a non-solvent fluid, whereby the precipitation takes place in a precipitation medium comprising two dispersants of which one [dispersant(I)] has a greater affinity for the non-solvent and the other [dispersant (II)] has a greater affinity for the solvent.

Abstract: Recycled resin is produced by a method including a dismantling/recovery step of dismantling products containing resin moldings and recovering the resin moldings, a removal step of removing unwanted matter including metal components from the resin moldings, a sorting step of discriminating the materials of the resin moldings, and a crushing step of crushing the resin moldings. The method further includes, prior to the crushing step, detecting the metal components, and, after the crushing step, separating out and thus removing metal remaining in crushed material.

Abstract: Method for purifying a solution of at least one plastic in a solvent, the said solution comprising insolubles, whereby the solution is purified using a centrifugal settler.

Abstract: A process is described for the separation of fluorinated plastic particles from a mixture of solid particles of similar specific gravity. The process comprises mixing the particles with water, adding air to create bubbles, and generating two or more product streams, one of which floats and the other which sinks. The floating stream is enriched in fluoropolymer particles. Per pass yield and selectivity of fluorinated plastics are enhanced by the addition of a carboxylic acid to the froth flotation medium.

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 invention provides molding compounds that are particularly suitable to be molded into an article such as a heating element that will conduct heat and not burn when an electric current is passed through the article. These compounds are generally liquid thermosetting molding resins which comprise a thermoset resin matrix such as a terephthalate polyester which can include blends of polyester and/or vinyl ester with a significant loading of conductive inorganic filler, typically graphite. The compositions also include flame and sound retardant additives, and glass fibers. They are further formulated to meet the desired molding characteristics; to withstand the operating temperatures to which they will be exposed; and to have a predetermined strength and a desirable user interface including appearance, and odor. Typically, the compounds will have a glass transition temperature from about 160° C. (320° F.) to about 195° C. (383° F.).

Abstract: Process for recycling an article based on at least one vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride polymer, according to which: (a) the article is cut up into fragments with a mean size of 1 cm to 50 cm in the case where it would exceed these sizes; (b) the article fragments are brought into contact with an azeotropic or quasiazeotropic mixture of water and of a solvent capable of dissolving the polymer, at a temperature of at least 120° C.; (c) the polymer dissolved in the solvent is precipitated by a reduction in pressure and by injection of steam into the solution thus obtained, which additionally results in the entrainment of the solvent-water azeotrope and thus leaves a mixture remaining which is essentially composed of water and of solid polymer particles; (d) the polymer particles are collected.

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 of separating at least one polymer from a mixture of polymers. The method includes adjusting the temperature of the mixture, either by heating or cooling, to bring the temperature to a temperature at which decombination of the polymer mixture occurs. Mechanical energy is also imparted to the mixture, before, during or after temperature adjustment. The temperature adjustment and application of mechanical energy enable at least one polymer to be separated from the other polymers in the mixture.

Abstract: Process for recycling a plastic, according to which the plastic is brought into contact with a solvent capable of dissolving the same and the plastic dissolved in the solvent is precipitated using a non-solvent in the presence of a phase-separating agent, in which the phase-separating agent is compatible with the solvent and incompatible with the non-solvent, and is also present when the plastic is brought into contact with the solvent, and improves the dissolution of the plastic by the solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyvinyl chloride recovering method for recovering polyvinyl chloride from waste including polyvinyl chloride by a continuous operation, and an system for carrying out the method, wherein the method comprises: an insoluble solid matter removing process of removing insoluble solid matters from a hot mixture of a solvent capable of dissolving polyvinyl chloride, and the waste; a solidifying process of solidifying polyvinyl chloride in water by bringing hot water into contact with a solution obtained by removing the insoluble solid matters from the hot mixture to remove the solvent; and a separating process of separating the solidified polyvinyl chloride from the water.

Abstract: The present invention provides, e.g., methods to recycle and/or reduce plastic, non-plastic, or a combination thereof, from a waste stream. The methods of the present invention include contacting the plastic waste with infrared (IR) energy at one or more frequencies and at one or more intensities, over a period of time effective to heat plastic present in the plastic waste.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyvinyl chloride recovering method for recovering polyvinyl chloride from waste including polyvinyl chloride by a continuous operation, and an system for carrying out the method, wherein the method comprises: an insoluble solid matter removing process of removing insoluble solid matters from a hot mixture of a solvent capable of dissolving polyvinyl chloride, and the waste; a solidifying process of solidifying polyvinyl chloride in water by bringing hot water into contact with a solution obtained by removing the insoluble solid matters from the hot mixture to remove the solvent; and a separating process of separating the solidified polyvinyl chloride from the water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recycled resin composition having physical properties, a feeding property as well as a moldability which are by no means inferior as compared with the raw material resin composition, even when a ratio of recycled material in recycled resin composition used as molding material is increased. A recycled resin composition obtained by compounding a mixture containing (a) a raw material resin, (b) at least one kind of additives for resin, and (c) a pulverized material of a recovered molded article generated at the time of molding of a raw material resin composition comprising (a) said raw material resin and (b) said at least one kind of additives for resin and/or a recycled resin composition comprising (a) said raw material resin and (b) said at least one kind of additives for resin, is provided.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of reclaiming crosslinked rubber, which can reclaim various kinds of crosslinked rubbers whose reclamation is difficult. The method of reclaiming crosslinked rubber 10 of the present invention includes a step of reclaiming crosslinked rubber by applying shear stress to the crosslinked rubber 10, wherein the maximum pressure in the reclaiming step is 1.5 MPa or more.

Abstract: Process for recycling a plastic, according to which the plastic is brought into contact with a solvent capable of dissolving the same and the plastic dissolved in the solvent is precipitated using a non-solvent in the presence of a phase-separating agent, in which the phase-separating agent is compatible with the solvent and incompatible with the non-solvent, and is also present when the plastic is brought into contact with the solvent, and improves the dissolution of the plastic by the solvent.

Abstract: In a method for recovering pure PVC from pre-disintegrated PVC containing substance mixtures, the substance mixture is soaked in a swelling agent for PVC, is supplied under pressure into an arrangement of at least two sequential hydrocyclones, wherein, in the first hydrocyclone, a heavy fraction of impurities is separated in the sink flow and a light fraction of swelled PVC particles and light impurities and plastic particles are separated in the rising flow, wherein the pre-cleaned light fraction is sorted and the particle fraction comprising the swelled PVC particles and smaller plastic particles is fed to the second hydrocyclone in which the PVC particles are separated in the sink flow. The invention also describes a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Recycled mixtures of plastics, predominantly thermoplastics, as predominantly produced in the household, in commerce and also in industry and useful material collections, can be stabilized against thermooxidative degradation by adding a combination of a sterically hindered phenol with an organic phosphite or phosphonite and an inorganic compound from the series consisting of metal oxides, hydroxides and carbonates.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the melt-processibility of crosslinked plastic or recycling crosslinked plastic and the products formed by these methods. The melt processibility of a crosslinked thermoplastic resin may be enhanced by mixing it with a low viscosity polymeric resin having a specified melt flow index relative to the melt flow index of the crosslinked thermoplastic resin, and exposing the mixture to mechanical shearing energy to produce a processed mixture having enhanced melt flow characteristics. The processed mixture may be subsequently mixed with thermoplastic polymer.