METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECYCLING OXYGEN-CONTAINING POLYMERS Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC C08J11/16 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to chemical industry and environmental conservation. Oxygen-containing polymers are processed and recycled to form hydrogen and alkali metal carbonates by bringing them into contact with a molten mixture of alkali metal hydroxide and carbonate in a reactor 1 with a mixer 2. The alkali metal hydroxide is fed into reactor 1 from reservoir 5 through line 4, and oxygen-containing polymers are fed from reservoir 7 through line 6. The formed hydrogen is removed through an outlet line 8, and the alkali metal carbonate is removed through a device 9 for its transportation through line 10 into reservoir 11. Oxygen from the space 3 over the surface of the melt, from reservoirs 5, 7 and from lines 4 and 6 is displaced by feeding inert gas from device 12 through lines 14a-14c. If the ratio of oxygen atoms to carbon atoms in the polymer is less than 1, oxygen in free or bonded form is added to the melt through line 13. The exothermic reaction is preferably carried out in conditions lying at a point on the liquidus curve of the system.

EFFECT: invention enables continuous and fast processing of polyesters, polyethers, polyacetals, epoxy resins, polylactones, polylactides, polyglycolides, polyacrylates, polyvinyl acetate, biopolymers, wood, cellulose, lignin, cutin, pectin, fibre-reinforced composite materials.

24 cl, 2 dwg, 4 ex