US5359061A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of polymer waste comprising nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins to sequentially recover monomers or other high value products
Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
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Filing: 1992-10-27
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Granted: 1994-10-25
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Expires: 2012-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feedstream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents; selecting a second higher temperature range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said plastic waste and differentially heating the feedstream at the higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of the different high value monomeric constituent; and separating the different high value monomeric constituent.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Evans
- 👤 Helena L. Chum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:36
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/08; C10G1/086; C10G1/02; C10G1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feed stream comprising nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins and its high value monomeric constituent or derived high value products occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: a) selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins and its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; b) selecting a catalyst and a support and treating said feed stream with said catalyst to affect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent or high value product in said first temperature program range; c) differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of said high value monomeric constituent or high value product of said nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein; d) separating said high value monomer constituent or derived high value product of said nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins; e) selecting a second higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis to different high value monomeric hydrocarbon constituents of said plastic waste and differentially heating said feed stream at said higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said plastic into different high value hydrocarbon monomeric constituents or derived products; and f) separating said different high value monomeric hydrocarbon constituents or derived high value products.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
299 words
A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feed stream comprising nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins and its high value monomeric constituent or derived high value products occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: a) selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins and its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; b) selecting a catalyst and a support and treating said feed stream with said catalyst to affect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent or high value product in said first temperature program range; c) differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of said high value monomeric constituent or high value product of said nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein; d) separating said high value monomer constituent or derived high value product of said nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins; e) selecting a second higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis to different high value monomeric hydrocarbon constituents of said plastic waste and differentially heating said feed stream at said higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said plastic into different high value hydrocarbon monomeric constituents or derived products; and f) separating said different high value monomeric hydrocarbon constituents or derived high value products.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said polyolefin is polypropylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the feed stream is waste carpet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 3, wherein the feed stream is a textile waste.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 2, wherein the feed stream is a manufacturing waste.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said first temperature program range is between about 250° to about 550° C., said second higher temperature program range is between about 350° to about 700° C.; said catalyst is an acid or base catalyst; and said supports are selected from metal oxides and carbonates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
The process of claim 6, wherein said first temperature program range is between about 300° to about 450° C.; said second higher temperature range is between about 400° to about 550° C.; said catalysts are selected from the group consisting of NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH) 2 , NH 4 OH and alkali or alkaline earth metals; said support is selected from silica, alumina or CaCO 3 ; and said carrier gas is selected from inert gases, steam, CO 2 and process recycle gases.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5216149A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-24 | 1998-04-25 | 1998-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-24 | 2002-04-25 | 2002-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-24 | 2006-04-25 | 2006-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |