Process for converting polymers by contacting same with particulate material suspended in a toroidal shape
First Claim
1. A process for the conversion of a polymer, especially hydrocarbon polymers, into products of lower molecular weight than the starting polymer, said process comprising:
- a. generating in a processing chamber of circular cross-section in its vertical orientation a stream of hot gas which flows in an angular and upward direction causing(i) a bed or particulate material to be entrained in the flow of the gas and held in suspension in a toroidal shape and(ii) the polymer introduced into said chamber in turn to intermingle with the particulate material and assume said toroidal shape thereby cracking said polymer at a temperature in the range from 300-600°
C. into products of lower molecular weight and(iii) recovering said products of lower molecular weight from said chamber.
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Abstract
This invention relates to a method of cracking polymers, especially waste hydrocarbon polymers to produce products of lower molecular weight. The process comprises feeding the polymer into a processing chamber or circular-cross section which chamber also has a bed of particulate material maintained in suspension and in toroidal shape by a hot gas introduced into said chamber so that the polymer intermingles with the particulate materials of the bed and is cracked into products of lower molecular weight. The invention is useful for converting polymeric wastes into products of commercial value such as e.g. waxes, lubricants and monomeric olefins at the same time reducing environmental pollution.
27 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A process for the conversion of a polymer, especially hydrocarbon polymers, into products of lower molecular weight than the starting polymer, said process comprising:
a. generating in a processing chamber of circular cross-section in its vertical orientation a stream of hot gas which flows in an angular and upward direction causing (i) a bed or particulate material to be entrained in the flow of the gas and held in suspension in a toroidal shape and (ii) the polymer introduced into said chamber in turn to intermingle with the particulate material and assume said toroidal shape thereby cracking said polymer at a temperature in the range from 300-600°
C. into products of lower molecular weight and(iii) recovering said products of lower molecular weight from said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Specification