A new recycling system for expanded polystyrene using a natural solvent. Part 2. Development of a prototype production system

Abstract

A prototype production system for recycling expanded polystyrene (EPS), which uses an orange oil, d-limonene, as the EPS shrinking agent, has been developed. This system consists of an apparatus to dissolve EPS and a recycling plant to separate the limonene solution. The recycling plant can mass reproduce polystyrene with the same mechanical properties as new polystyrene. The recycled polystyrene can be used for packaging a 28 inch TV set. O

Removal of heavy metal ions using polystyrene nanocomposite thin films

“…The best medium for lead removal was at pH 6, whereas in the strongly acidic and alkaline media, the percentage removal was reduced. In the acidic medium, protonation process occurred; thereby, the adsorption of protons (H + ) competes with the adsorption of positively charged lead ions [14], whereas in the alkaline medium, the adsorption of lead may be inhibited by the formation of lead hydroxide complex because of the excessive ions of hydroxyl [17], leading to reduce the percentage removal. To determine the underlying mechanism of lead removal, experimental adsorption data were analyzed and described by Langmuir (Eq.…”

“…Solvent: Toluene from BDH Co. was chosen because of it less toxic than the other solvent such as benzene, and completely dissolve the polystyrene without any clump of solid PS could be left behind, not as noted with the acetone solvent after evaporating. For environmental considerations, D-limonene is suggested as a natural solvent [14].…”

Manufacturing of porous refractories from Iraqi Kaolin by adding expanded polystyrene waste

“…Foamed polystyrene contains 2 % polymerized polystyrene and 98 % air [6]. Annually, large quantities of EPS waste are thrown or recycled in modern processes and convert them into other useful materials [7].…”

Recycling of Expanded Polystyrene Using Natural Solvents

“…Although there are various solvents for PS, for example, hydrocarbons, alkyl halides, aromatics, esters, and ketones, petroleum-based solvents are not favorable to the global environment. Limonene, which is a component of citrous oils, was derived from the above concept, and it is a pioneer of natural solvents for EPS [6][7][8]. Lately, the recycling of EPS using limonene has been realized in practical use with a semi-industrial scale, however, peel corresponding to approximately 1,000 oranges is necessary to extract 100 mL of limonene [9].…”