Project title: Environmental and economic benefits provided from PET bottles recycling by unconventional methods

 

Project executive summary:

The novelty of this project consists in the utilization of unconventional techniques both for the depolymerization process and the subsequent polymerization. As a key feature of this proposal is the obtaining of unsaturated polyesters at a low cost, during a period synthesis declining in Romania, the current users having to import their raw material. The use of microwaves in the case of PET recycling is not mentioned to this date in the literature. The partnership will comprise three teams with clearly establish tasks. Thus, one partner (company) will have the task of collecting the PET wastes, process them and realize the glycolysis in a microwave field environment. The project coordinator (University Politehnica Bucharest) will establish the optimal conditions for the synthesis of the unsaturated polyesters, depending on their respective application. The third partner (company) will obtain the unsaturated polyesters for a pilot scale fabrication. The forth partner (company) will utilize the unsaturated polyester establishing the optimal parameters with the aim of obtaining a final product.In terms of experience, our team has a key point, by having a patent in the field (B. Marculescu, N. Cobianu, Gh. Maciuca, F. Marculescu, M. Vasiliu, V. Posea, S. Vasilescu-Procedeu pentru obtinerea poliesterilor nesaturati din deseuri poliesterice-Brevet RSR 73605 (1980) C08G 63/00; Co8J 11/04) and a doctoral thesis.Several notable benefits were generated as a result of this project. This project demonstrates a successful way 1) to strengthen the capacity to recycle plastic waste in Romania, 2) to reduce environmental impacts associated with pollution from new plastics production and incineration of plastic waste and pressure on limited landfill space, and 3) to promote economic efficiency by opening new markets to recollecting, processing, and consuming regenerated plastic.
 
Project number: 57/2012  PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011

Coordinator: University Politehnica Bucharest

Partners: Beta Meg Invest S.R.L; Pigmentul S.R.L; Antrepriza Constructii Management S.R.L;

Results 2012-2013:

Articles

1. EDINA RUSEN, ALEXANDRA MOCANU, FLORICA RIZEA, AUREL DIACON, IOAN CALINESCU, LIVIU MITITEANU, DANIELA DUMITRESCU, ANA-MARIA POPA
POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTALATE) RECYCLED FROM POST-CONSUMER SOFT-DRINKS BOTTLES I.POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTALATE) DEPOLYMERIZATION BY GLYCOLYSIS PROCESS

Poly(ethylene terephtalate) (PET), recycled from post-consumer bottles was depolymerized by glycolysis process using diethylene glycol (DEG) in the presence of zinc acetate catalyst. The glycolized products were mainly represented by monomer and dimer units. After a relatively long reaction time (over 2 h), an equilibrium was achieved between the two species. Considering the importance of the next steps, in attaining unsaturated polyesters with excellent mechanical properties, this study was concentrated on the identification and characterization of glycolysis reaction equilibrium phase. The evolution of the depolymerization reaction was investigated by the viscosity procedure, which was compared and found to be in good agreement with the functional analysis method. 

Keywords: PET waste, glycolysis, oligomers, viscosity, equilibrium phase

 

2.EDINA RUSEN, ALEXANDRA MOCANU, FLORICA RIZEA, AUREL DIACON, IOAN CALINESCU, LIVIU MITITEANU, DANIELA DUMITRESCU, ANA-MARIA POPA

Post-consumer PET Bottles Recycling II. PET depolymerization using microwaves

The chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephtalate) PET using a unconventional method employing microwave radiation was studied. The reaction parameters were varied in order to study their influence. The reactivity of several glycols was compared and results showed consistency with conventional solvolysis methods. The dissolution of PET polymer into the glycol solution is one of the key parameters in determining the reaction time. The modification of the microwave field power afforded a 50% reduction of the reaction time. This method presents certain advantages compared to conventional glycolysis methods such as: energy and time saving through a rapid and a more uniform heating capacity, leading to a complete depolymerization in the presence of the catalyst. 

Keywords: PET waste, glycolysis, microwave, oligomers, viscosity

3. ALEXANDRA MOCANU, EDINA RUSEN, AUREL DIACON, “OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SELF-ASSEMBLING POLYMERIC COLLOIDAL SYSTEMS”, International Journal of Polymer Science, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, Vol. 2013, p. 1-11, Article ID 238567, 2013, doi.org/10.1155/2013/238567

 

Conferences:

1. European Polymer Federation (EPF) 2013 Pisa 16-21 June - poster presentation

2. 18th Romanian International Conference on Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 4-7 September 2013, oral presentation

 

Results 2014:

Articles

1. EDINA RUSEN, ALEXANDRA MOCANU, FLORICA RIZEA, PAUL O. STANESCU, AUREL DIACON, IOAN CALINESCU, MARIUS DRAGOESCU

POST-CONSUMER PET BOTTLES RECYCLING III. OBTAINING OF UNSATURATED POLYESTER RESINS AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CROSS-LINKED MATERIALS WITH STYRENE

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) PET was subject to a glycolysis process using diethylene glycol (PET/DEG = 1/1 molar ratio) and zinc acetate as trans-esterification catalyst. An unsaturated polyester resin was then prepared using the glycolysis product and maleic anhydride. The molecular weights of glycolysed PET products and polyester resin were investigated using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis. A cross-linking reaction of the unsaturated polyester resin was performed in the presence of styrene (different amounts) at 80°C. The compression and impact strength/resistance properties of the cured resins were determined. 

Keywords: PET waste, glycolysis, GPC, unsaturated polyester resin, mechanical properties 

Conferences:

1. 15th International Conference IUPAC Polymers and Organic Chemistry 2014, 10-13 June 2014, Timisoara 

 

 

Results 2015:

Article:

1. EDINA RUSEN, ALEXANDRA MOCANU, DANA FIAT, ANCA MADALINA DUMITRESCU, PAUL OCTAVIAN STANESCU, AUREL DIACON

Straightforward Manufacturing of Polyurethane Adhesives and Foams from Post-consumer Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) Bottles

The aim of the current study was to obtain materials presenting a large scale of applications (polyurethane adhesives and foams) through a one-pot synthesis starting from post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles. The PET depolymerization was carried out using diethylene glycol (DEG) and catalyst (zinc acetate) in a microwave reactor. Using the obtained depolymerization mixture, different polyurethane adhesives or foams formulations were developed. The adhesives mechanical properties were tested affording samples with tensile shear resistance suitable for commercialization. The polyurethane foams testing confirmed the obtaining of rigid structure with good thermal insulation properties. 

Keywords: PET, microwaves, adhesives, polyurethane foams, one-pot synthesis 

MATERIALE PLASTICE, vol. 52, No. 2,  2015, pp. 209-213.

Conferences:

  1. Romanian International Conference on Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, RICCCE XIX, 2-5 September 2015, Sibiu, Romania

 Patent

 1. Patent application filling O.S.I.M. A/00850 - 17.11.2015 -  “SYNTHESIS OF UNSATURATED POLYESTHERS STARTING FROM PET WASTE”/„SINTEZA POLIESTERILOR NESATURATI UTILIZAND DESEURI DE PET” 

 

Results 2016

Conferences:

1. Prioritatile Chimiei pentru o Dezvoltare Durabila, Priochem editia a XII-a, Bucuresti, 27- 28 Octombrie 2016 

 

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