Process and system for depolymerizing plastic
US11981779B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 2022 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/62
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process and a system for depolymerizing plastic, such as waste polyester, into marketable monomers. A heterogeneous mixture of plastic particles, a solvent, and a catalyst are pumped continuously through a heating zone at a flow rate just high enough to maintain a particle speed great enough to keep the plastic particles in suspension. The temperature of the heterogeneous mixture is raised in the heating zone and maintained in a hold zone to complete depolymerization of the mixture into a homogeneous solution containing a liquefied plastic monomer. The homogeneous solution is cooled to solidify and precipitate the monomer. The precipitated monomer is separated from the solvent to be recycled. The solvent is recirculated to be reused as a constituent of the heterogeneous mixture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.