ECO FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY FOR UTILIZATION OF POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE WASTES

The present paper suggests an original laboratory method for utilization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) wastes. The process involves a sequence of processes in several stages: glycolysis, separation of polyester polyols, purification and drying. PET pellets were subjected to glycolysis with crude glycerol obtained as side product from biodiesel production. The depolymerization was carried out in a microwave reactor with low energy consumption. The insoluble admixtures (PE, PP, PVC, etc) were removed by filtration. The polyester polyols produced by the glycolysis were removed from the product by cooling to temperature of 4°С. The technology suggested involves microwave depolymerization which leads to shortening the depolymerization time from 300 to 40 min, saves energy and water and is carried out using crude glycerol without catalyst. The polyester polyols obtained as side product from the depolymerization can be used as initial materials for synthesis of unsaturated polyester, alkyd and polyurethane resins.