Facile process for recycling the monomers from waste polyurethane with energy recovery

Abstract

Polyurethane is a useful thermoset polymer worldwide, especially for insulation characteristics, mattresses, and cushioning. Waste management of polyurethane has become a great challenge to our society. Numerous ways of waste management have been tested, and among them, pyrolysis is the most promising solution as well best way of recycling its monomers and energy recovery. A thermal analysis was performed to evaluate the best use for such waste. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection and the pyrolysis method were used to analyze flexible waste polyurethane material at various pyrolytic temperatures (350, 400, and 450 °C). The results show numerous organic components with functionalities like alcohols, heterocyclic acids, alkanones, etc., compounds of nitrogen and silicone base compounds. Also, some trace amounts of chlorine compounds were observed. The results of the uncatalyzed process yield show that there is a substantial difference (P < 0.05) between values of oil products recorded at 350, 400, and 450 °C. The Neat kaolin catalyzed process indicated that there is a substantial difference (P < 0. 05) in both gas and oil products recorded at 350 °C, 400 °C, and 450 °C. For the Copper oxide nanoparticles catalyzed products, it is evident that the percentage yield of oil is significantly changed (P < 0.05) while the percentage gas formation is significantly different (P < 0.05) at 350 °C, but between 400 °C to 450 °C are not significantly different. Finally, the mixture of copper oxide nanoparticles and Kaolin makes the yield of both the oil, gas, and residue significantly different, and more oil is produced at the uncatalyzed process than the catalyze.