Kinetic analysis of VOC emissions thermally generated from polymers at processing temperatures

Qin Xiang, Somenath Mitra, Marino Xanthos, Subir K. Dey

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

An analytical system based on direct flame ionization detector measurement was developed to estimate the kinetics of VOC emissions. Different polymers such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene, and auto shredder residue mixture (ASR), were studied. The VOC evolution profiles from these polymers showed different attributes. The recycled ASR gave out the highest VOC evolution rate and the highest cumulative emissions (based on the integrated area under the profile). Contaminants such as automotive fluids, could contribute to these high emissions from ASR. For HDPE, the onset temperature of VOC evolution was the lowest (around 85°C). This was possibly due to the lowest melt temperature of HDPE. According to the integrated area under the VOC evolution profile, fewer VOC were emitted at higher heating rate, as the time required to reach the given temperature was shorter. With the increase of heating rate, the VOC evolution profile shifted to a higher temperature range. For the recycled polymers, significant amount of small molecules could be present due to the contaminants, aging, degradation, etc. Therefore, the activation energy of VOC emissions was much lower, particularly from the first degradation stage (lower temperature range). This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 221st ACS National Meeting (San Diego, CA 4/1-5/2001).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)59-61
Number of pages3
JournalACS Division of Environmental Chemistry, Preprints
Volume41
Issue number1
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes
Event221st ACS National Meeting - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Apr 1 2001Apr 5 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemical Engineering

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