Reactor for continuously treating polymeric material
A system for continuously treating recycled polymeric material includes a hopper configured to feed the recycled polymeric material into the system. An extruder can turn the recycled polymeric material in a molten material. In some embodiments, the extruder uses thermal fluids, electric heaters, and/or a separate heater. The molten material is depolymerized in a reactor. In some embodiments, a catalyst is used to aid in depolymerizing the material. In certain embodiments, the catalyst is contained in a permeable container. The depolymerized molten material can then be cooled via a heat exchanger. In some embodiments, multiple reactors are used. In certain embodiments, these reactors are connected in series. In some embodiments, the reactor(s) contain removable static mixer(s) and/or removable annular inserts.
1. A system for continuously treating recycled polymeric material comprising:
(a) a hopper configured to continuously feed said recycled polymeric material into said system;
(b) an extruder system configured to continuously turn said recycled polymeric material into a molten material;
(c) a filter system configured to continuously filter said molten material;
(d) a first reactor configured to continuously depolymerize said molten material into a depolymerized molten material, said first reactor comprising a removable static mixer and a removable adaptor with a plurality of cut-outs formed therein, each of said plurality of cut-outs for housing a support for said removable static mixer;
(e) a heat exchanger configured to continuously cool said depolymerized molten material; and
(f) a purifier system configured to continuously purify said molten material.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said filter system includes a filter bed.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said recycled polymeric material is a recycled plastic.
4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
(g) a second reactor configured to depolymerize said molten material into a depolymerized molten material.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein said reactors are connected in series.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein said reactors are stacked vertically.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein said reactors are stacked horizontally.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein said purifier system includes one of flash separation, absorbent beds, clay polishing or film evaporators.
9. The system of claim 4 further comprising:
(h) a separate heater configured to aid said extruder system.
10. The system of claim 3 configured to employ at least one of a gas or oil created by said purifier system as fuel for said system.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein said extruder system employs thermal fluids.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein said extruder system employs electric heaters.
13. The system of claim 2 wherein said first reactor employs a catalyst wherein said catalyst said catalyst comprises Fe, Cu, Al and O.
14. The system of claim 2 wherein said first reactor employs a catalyst wherein said catalyst is made up of materials from the group consisting of zeolite, mesoporous silica, H-mordenite and alumina.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein said recycled polymeric material is comprises crosslinked polyethylene.
16. The system of claim 2 wherein said recycled polymeric material is comprises low-density crosslinked polyethylene.
17. The system of claim 5 wherein said recycled polymeric material is comprises high-density crosslinked polyethylene.