Chemical recycling of polyurethane waste under microwave irradiation

Abstract

Consulta en la Biblioteca ETSI Industriales (8334)

[EN] Polyurethanes are one of the most versatile materials in the world today. Their many uses range from flexible foam in upholstered furniture, to rigid foam as insulation in walls, roofs and appliances to thermoplastic polyurethane used in medical devices and footwear, to coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers used on floors and automotive interiors [1]. Polyurethane (PUR) is one of the larger polymer product groups within the plastics family. In Europe, PUR consumption is about 3 million tons per year for the early 21st century. It is composed of about 1.8 million tons flexible PUR foam, 0.7 million tons rigid PUR foam and 0.4 million tons PUR elastomer and other products. Polyurethanes (PUs) represent an important class of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers as their mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties can be tailored by the reaction of various polyols and polyisocyanates [2]. Polyurethane foams (PUFs), which account for about 80% of all polyurethane manufactured, are used for many engineering applications, such as thermal insulation materials, construction materials, cushions, automotive parts and so on [3]. Rigid polyurethane foam has been widely used as a heat insulating material in refrigerators and in building materials [4]. Each year, plastic and modular construction industries generate huge volumes of PUR wastes during the fabrication, the conditioning and the use of these materials. Sustainable development and environmental management require taking into account these wastes. In Europe, total PUR waste is estimated to be about 1.5 million tons in 2004, approximately half of which is not suitable for collection and subsequent recycling, because of small volumes and/or wide distribution. Recycling and specific valorization methods have to be developed to deal with this problem [2].