Impacts of Different Wetting Agents on the Density Separation of Waste Plastic Mixtures

Abstract:

As the effect of density separation for waste plastic mixtures was poor, this research studied the impacts of wetting agents on the sorting rates of waste plastic mixtures and the mechanisms of wetting agents in density separation. The results showed that the surface activity of plastics could be changed by wetting agents and thus the sorting rates of plastics under the density separation system could be improved. Impacts of wetting agents such as CaLS, NP-7 and MC on density separation of plastics are related not only to the molecular structure of plastic materials but also to the separating media. The density separation system in the presence of different wetting agents established in this research separated the target plastic with a rate of 100%, which applied to a mixture of 9 kinds of common plastics such as PVC, PC, PS and so on.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 768)
• Pages: 418-425
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.768.418
• Online since: June 2015
• Authors: Xiao Li, Yu Wen Guo*, Jiu Li Ruan, Qi Qiao, Jian Qiang Zhang
• Keywords: Density Separation, Resource Recycling, Waste Plastic, Wetting Agent

References

[1] LI Xiao, GUO Yu-Wen, RUAN Jiu-Li, QIAO Qi, ZHANG Jian-Qiang. Impact of Different Sorting Media on the Waste Plastics Separation[J]. Applied Mechanics and Materials, (2014).

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.692.84

[2] Xing Z, Xu H, Wu C. Study on HDPE/PP Mixture Recycled with Sink-float Separation Method[J]. SuliaoKeji(Plastics Science and Technology), 2012, 40(2): 60-63. (in chinese).

[3] Pongstabodee S, Kunachitpimol N, Damronglerd S. Combination of three-stage sink–float method and selective flotation technique for separation of mixed post-consumer plastic waste[J]. Waste management, 2008, 28(3): 475-483.

DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2007.03.005

[4] Dodbiba G, Haruki N, Shibayama A, et al. Combination of sink–float separation and flotation technique for purification of shredded PET-bottle from PE or PP flakes[J]. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 2002, 65(1): 11-29.

DOI: 10.1016/s0301-7516(01)00056-4

[5] Shibata J, Matsumoto S, Yamamoto H, et al. Flotation separation of plastics using selective depressants[J]. International journal of mineral processing, 1996, 48(3): 127-134.

DOI: 10.1016/s0301-7516(96)00021-x

[6] Takoungsakdakun T, Pongstabodee S. Separation of mixed post-consumer PET–POM–PVC plastic waste using selective flotation[J]. Separation and Purification Technology, 2007, 54(2): 248-252.

DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2006.09.011

[7] Shen H, Forssberg E, Pugh R J. Selective flotation separation of plastics by chemical conditioning with methyl cellulose[J]. Resources, conservation and recycling, 2002, 35(4): 229-241.

DOI: 10.1016/s0921-3449(02)00003-4

[8] Shent H, Pugh R J, Forssberg E. A review of plastics waste recycling and the flotation of plastics[J]. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 1999, 25(2): 85-109.

DOI: 10.1016/s0921-3449(98)00017-2

[9] Wang H, Wang C, Fu J, et al. Wetting behavior and mechanism of wetting agents on low-energy surface[J]. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2013, 424: 10-17.

DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2013.01.063

[10] CHEN Fang-Bo, FANG Yun, WU Li-Na. Correlation between Micellization and Bulk Phase Behavior of Concentrated Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Solution[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2008, 25(4): 401-404. (inchinese).

[11] Carvalho T, Durão F, Ferreira C. Separation of packaging plastics by froth flotation in a continuous pilot plant[J]. Waste management, 2010, 30(11): 2209-2215.

DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2010.05.023