Scientists from the FIC "Institute of Catalysis of the SB RAS" in Novosibirsk, with the support of the Russian Science Foundation, have developed an economical and safe method for recycling polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This was reported by the press service of the university.
This plastic is widely used in construction for creating window and door profiles, pipes, and floor coverings. The new technology avoids the formation of toxic substances, and the recycled products can be used as components of synthetic fuel.
Polyvinyl chloride is one of the most common polymers. About 1 million tons of PVC are produced annually in Russia, with a total output of 7.5 million tons of basic polymers. However, existing methods for disposing of this plastic are not safe. Burning it produces air-polluting substances, and chemical decomposition is too expensive. Burying PVC in the ground also harms the soil.
Scientists have proposed a method for disposing of PVC in non-hydrogen reducing environments that does not harm the environment. It is based on catalytic hydrodechlorination — in this process, chlorine atoms are replaced by hydrogen atoms, and chlorine is removed as a safe inorganic salt.
According to scientists, the new method makes it possible to turn PVC liquefaction products into safe and useful compounds that can serve as raw materials for synthetic fuel using special catalysts.
The technology will significantly reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere when scaled up.
Currently, researchers are working with a nickel and molybdenum-based catalyst, which is planned to be used in reactions with pyrolysis oil from PVC, a mixture of plastics, and solid PVC to create components of synthetic fuel.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that in Novosibirsk they created fuel from non-recyclable plastic.
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