Kinetics of glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste powder at moderate pressure and temperature

The reaction of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste (PETW) powder with ethylene glycol (EG) was carried out in a batch reactor at 2 atm of pressure and a 220degreesC temperature. The particle size range of 50-512.5 mum and the reaction time of 40-180 min that are required for glycolysis of PETW were optimized. To avoid the carbonization and oxidation of reactants and reaction products and to reduce corrosion, the reaction was undertaken below 250degreesC using a lower reaction time. To increase the yield of dimethyl terephthalate and EG, an external catalyst was introduced during the reaction. The degree of depolymerization of PETW was proportional to the reaction time. The reaction rate was found to depend on the concentrations of liquid EG and of ethylene diester groups in the polyester. A kinetic model was used for the reaction was found to be consistent with experimental data. The rate constant was inversely proportional to the reaction time, as well as the particle size, of PETW. The degree of depolymerization of PETW was inversely proportional to the particle size of PETW. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.