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Processing PET bottles into high-purity flake

A quantitative insight into the parameters governing a series of unit operations which were assembled to convert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into a high-purity flake of PET suitable for end use or further chemical conversion is presented. The interest in developing a relatively simple b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Resources and conservation 1987-06, Vol.15 (1), p.151-159
Main Authors: Trezek, G.J., Tixier, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:A quantitative insight into the parameters governing a series of unit operations which were assembled to convert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into a high-purity flake of PET suitable for end use or further chemical conversion is presented. The interest in developing a relatively simple but effective mechanical system for processing PET bottles is related to the fact that approximately 75% of the more than 400 000 Mg of PET consumed in the US is used in the manufacture of soft-drink containers. Other estimates give somewhat lower amounts, corresponding to PET bottles yielding 165 000 Mg of PET and 60,000 Mg of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) per year. Although it is believed that as much as 25% of these containers are returned, their fate in terms of the manner of processing, reuse etc. is not clear. Present practice would indicate that the majority of the PET bottles become part of municipal solid waste streams destined for conventional disposal via landfill, incineration, etc. 5 ref.--AA
ISSN:0166-3097
DOI:10.1016/0166-3097(87)90045-9