Impregnation of Polymer Wastes in Subcritical Freon Gas R22 by Substances Promoting Its Natural Biodegradation

Abstract—The technique of accelerating biodegradation by the introduction of olive oil into a polymer (modeling the wastes from food production, such as cooking oil) in a medium of freon gas R22 in the subcritical state at a temperature of 90°C and a pressure of 280 atm is suggested for the polymeric films (high-density polyethylene) for the first time. Test operations on elevated temperature and moisture (at a weather station in Hoa Lac, Vietnam) show that the samples that are saturated with oil exhibit a three times higher rate of biodegradation after six months than the control untreated samples. An analysis of the microorganisms and decomposers is conducted isolated from the tested films. The investigations show the potential of the use of this approach to solving of problems of the utilization of polymer wastes.