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Continuous supercritical decrosslinking extrusion process for recycling of crosslinked polyethylene waste
Author(s) -
Baek Bum Ki,
Shin Ji Wook,
Jung Jun Yong,
Hong Soon Man,
Nam Gi Joon,
Han Haksoo,
Koo Chong Min
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.41442
Subject(s) - supercritical fluid , methanol , plastics extrusion , materials science , extrusion , polyethylene , chemical engineering , polymer , reactive extrusion , polymer chemistry , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
This work demonstrates that extrusion process can be used as a continuous reactor for the recycling of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) via supercritical methanol decrosslinking reaction. The multistage single screw extruder ( L / D = 36, D = 40 mm) with methanol injection pump was customized for the continuous supercritical decrosslinking reaction. Reaction temperature was ranged from 360°C to 390°C. The amount of methanol was varied from 0 to 7 mL/min. The extruder provided the crosslinked polymers with the supercritical conditions of methanol during continuous process. The gel content of XLPE decreased with the increase in the reaction temperature and methanol content. Although XLPE experienced supercritical methanol for less than 2 min retention time in the continuous supercritical extruder, it was completely decrosslinked above 390°C at the methanol feeding rate of 7 mL/min. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 41442.