International business machines corporation (20240101777). POLYESTER RECYCLING PROCESS WITH PRE-REACTION PURIFICATION simplified abstract

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POLYESTER RECYCLING PROCESS WITH PRE-REACTION PURIFICATION

Organization Name

international business machines corporation

Inventor(s)

Gregory Breyta of San Jose CA (US)

Rudy J. Wojtecki of San Jose CA (US)

POLYESTER RECYCLING PROCESS WITH PRE-REACTION PURIFICATION - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240101777 titled 'POLYESTER RECYCLING PROCESS WITH PRE-REACTION PURIFICATION

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a depolymerization reaction of a polyester input using an organocatalyst and an alcohol solvent to produce a recycled diester, the organocatalyst for reuse, and the alcohol solvent for potential reuse. The presence of volatile impurities can interfere with the reaction, so a pre-reaction distillation step is used to remove these impurities from the polyester input, ensuring consistent and efficient depolymerization reactions.

  • The depolymerization reaction of a polyester input involves the use of an organocatalyst and an alcohol solvent.
  • A pre-reaction distillation step is employed to remove volatile impurities from the polyester input, such as water and organic solvents.
  • The process results in the production of a recycled diester, the organocatalyst for reuse, and the alcohol solvent, which can also be reused.

Potential Applications

This technology can be applied in the recycling industry for the depolymerization of polyester materials to produce valuable diesters for reuse in various applications.

Problems Solved

1. Efficient removal of volatile impurities from the polyester input to ensure successful depolymerization reactions. 2. Consistent and reliable production of recycled diesters from polyester materials.

Benefits

1. Sustainable recycling of polyester materials. 2. Reuse of organocatalyst and alcohol solvent, reducing waste and costs. 3. Improved efficiency and consistency in depolymerization reactions.

Potential Commercial Applications

"Polyester Depolymerization Technology for Sustainable Recycling"

Possible Prior Art

There are existing methods for depolymerizing polyester materials, but the use of a pre-reaction distillation step to remove volatile impurities from the polyester input may be a novel approach in this field.

Unanswered Questions

How does the depolymerization process impact the overall sustainability of polyester recycling?

The depolymerization process described in the patent application focuses on the efficient removal of volatile impurities to ensure successful reactions. However, it does not delve into the broader environmental impact or sustainability benefits of recycling polyester materials using this technology.

What are the potential challenges or limitations of scaling up this depolymerization process for commercial applications?

While the patent application outlines a method for depolymerizing polyester inputs on a small scale, it does not address the challenges or limitations that may arise when scaling up this process for commercial applications. Factors such as cost, efficiency, and scalability could be important considerations in implementing this technology on a larger scale.


Original Abstract Submitted

a depolymerization reaction of a polyester input with an organocatalyst and an alcohol solvent produces (i) a recycled monomeric or oligomeric diester from the polyester, (ii) the organocatalyst for reuse, and (iii) the alcohol solvent, which may also be reused. the presence of volatile impurities, such as water, acetyl aldehyde, and organic solvents can interfere with the success of the depolymerization reaction. a pre-reaction distillation step removes volatile impurities from the polyester input resulting in an efficient depolymerization reaction with consistency among batches. the polyester input may be further treated with a water azeotrope to remove water from the polyester input prior to the pre-reaction distillation.