Separation of physically co-mingled plastics using a supercritical fluid to facilitate recycling
US5126058A · kind A · utility
22Cited by
8References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/62
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for selectively separating co-mingled materials of different densities by selective density flotation of the materials in a fluid in the vicinity of its critical point. The extermely high compressibility of a fluid in the vicinity of its critical point allows continuous variations over the maximum density range to be accomplished using minimal changes in temperature and pressure. Materials exhibiting similar densities can thus be separated by adjusting the fluid density to a point between the two materials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.