Alicyclic Polymer Recycling via Crystalline Polymer Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to efficiently and effectively remove crystalline polymers from shaped products containing alicyclic structure-containing polymers, which is necessary for recycling these materials.
Innovation Solution
A method involving heating a polymer solution containing both amorphous alicyclic and crystalline polymers to a specific temperature range, followed by cooling to a lower temperature, allows for the crystalline polymer to be removed as solid lumps, using a solvent that is a poor solvent for the crystalline polymer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional grinding and pelletization methods are used to recycle alicyclic structure-containing polymers, then the recycling process is simple, but foreign substances and crystalline polymers cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the polymer solution during storage and processing. By maintaining the polymer solution at temperatures above the glass transition temperature of the alicyclic structure-containing polymer, the solution remains in a liquid state, allowing effective removal of crystalline polymers and foreign substances through filtration, thereby achieving high purity recycled polymer while keeping the process relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition characteristics of the polymer solution. By controlling temperature to maintain the polymer solution in a liquid state (above glass transition temperature), the alicyclic structure-containing polymer remains soluble while crystalline polymers precipitate out, enabling effective separation and purification during the recycling process
2Manufacturing precision
If dissolution in mixed solvent is used to remove foreign substances, then foreign substance removal is improved, but crystalline polymer removal remains inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter and solvent composition to create optimal conditions for crystalline polymer removal. By using specific solvents (such as cyclohexane, toluene, or xylene) and maintaining temperatures above the glass transition temperature but below the crystallization temperature of the crystalline polymer, the crystalline polymer remains in a solid state while the alicyclic structure-containing polymer stays dissolved, enabling efficient removal through filtration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a carefully selected solvent as an intermediary substance. The solvent dissolves the alicyclic structure-containing polymer while leaving the crystalline polymer undissolved, creating a clear separation between the two materials. This intermediary solvent enables simultaneous removal of both foreign substances and crystalline polymers, improving both purity and productivity
3Productivity
If heating to high temperature is used to remove crystalline polymer, then removal efficiency improves, but energy consumption and polymer degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the temperature parameter within a specific range (above glass transition temperature but below crystallization temperature of crystalline polymer). This moderate temperature range is sufficient to maintain the polymer solution in a liquid state for effective filtration, achieving high crystalline polymer removal efficiency without excessive energy consumption or polymer degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces high-temperature thermal processing with a milder separation process based on solubility differences and filtration. Instead of using high heat to melt and separate materials, the process uses a solvent system where the alicyclic structure-containing polymer remains dissolved while crystalline polymers precipitate, allowing removal through mechanical filtration at lower temperatures, thus reducing energy consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables fast and high-purity removal of crystalline polymers, facilitating efficient recycling of alicyclic structure-containing polymers.
Implementation Method 1
heating the polymer solution to a temperature of not lower than Tc 1 - 75°C and not higher than Tc 1 °C
Implementation Method 2
cooling the polymer solution after the heating to a temperature that is lower than a heating temperature in the heating and that is not higher than 40°C
Implementation Method 3
a crystallization temperature of the crystalline polymer is taken to be Tc 1 °C
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of producing a recycled alicyclic structure-containing polymer in which a recycled alicyclic structure-containing polymer is obtained by efficiently and effectively removing a crystalline polymer from a shaped product containing the crystalline polymer and an alicyclic structure-containing polymer. The method of producing a recycled alicyclic structure-containing polymer is a method of producing a recycled alicyclic structure-containing polymer from a shaped product containing a crystalline polymer and an alicyclic structure-containing polymer that is amorphous and includes a specific dissolution step, a specific heating step, a specific cooling step, and a specific removal step.