Temperature dependent separation of immiscible polymer blend in a melted state.

The density and the spectral fingerprint of a compounded blend or composite vary widely depending on the type of the components and their composition. However, the currently used polymer separation techniques, such as density-based and optical sorting systems are not suitable for recovering these materials fully due to the physical-chemical bonding between the components. The application of a novel separation principle creates the opportunity to enrich the blend fractions to neat, homogeneous zones in a melted state by utilising centrifugal force.

Alternative polymer separation technology by centrifugal force in a melted state.

In order to upgrade polymer waste during recycling, separation should take place at high purity. The present research was aimed to develop a novel, alternative separation opportunity, where the polymer fractions were separated by centrifugal force in melted state. The efficiency of the constructed separation equipment was verified by two immiscible plastics (polyethylene terephthalate, PET; low density polyethylene, LDPE), which have a high difference of density, and of which large quantities can also be found in the municipal solid waste.