Abstract:
A combination of flotation and elutriation was successfully used to separate six common plastics: high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). High contact angles for all plastics indicated they were strongly hydrophobic. Depressants such as tannic acid and potassium permanganate were therefore used. When separation by flotation was not possible, elutriation was conducted using a crossflow separator. The resulting flowsheet yielded plastics with recoveries and purities greater than approximately 85% in single stage operations. Because the six plastics were color-coded, the measurements were determined using a unique image analysis system.
Session: MPD: Flotation: Flotation application in recycling and recovering from secondary sources
Presenter:
Adilbek Baigabelov, Consultant (Process Engineering) | SRK Kazakhstan
Click here to view all presentations at this event.
