Catalytic depolymerisation of polymeric materials

Abstract

A process for converting a molten polymeric material is provided. The process includes effecting disposition of a molten polymeric material, having at least one carbon-carbon double bond, in sufficient proximity to a catalyst material within a reaction zone, to affect a reactive process that effects generation of a reaction product. The reactive process effects cleaving of at least one carbon-carbon double bond. The catalyst material includes [Fe—Cu—Mo—P]/Al 2 O 3 prepared by binding a ferrous-copper complex to an alumina support to generate an intermediate material and reacting the intermediate material with a heteropolyacid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wax prepared by a method, said method comprising:
 (a) selecting a waste polymeric feed,   (b) heating said waste polymeric feed to create a molten polymeric material; and   (c) depolymerizing said molten material in a reaction vessel until a predetermined pressure is reached to create said wax.   
     
     
         2 . The wax of  claim 1  wherein said depolymerization is aided by a catalyst. 
     
     
         3 . The wax of  claim 2  wherein said catalyst is [Fe—Cu—Mo—P]/Al 2 O 3 . 
     
     
         4 . The wax of  claim 1  wherein said waste polymeric feed comprises at least 90% polypropylene. 
     
     
         5 . The wax of  claim 4  wherein the temperature in said reaction vessel is between 300° C. to 400° C. during said depolymerization. 
     
     
         6 . The wax of  claim 4  wherein the temperature of a wall of said reaction vessel does not exceed 500° C. 
     
     
         7 . The wax of  claim 4  wherein said wax has a melting point between 100 and 170° C. 
     
     
         8 . The wax of  claim 4  wherein said depolymerization is aided by a catalyst, wherein said catalyst is [Fe—Cu—Mo—P]/Al 2 O 3 . 
     
     
         9 . The wax of  claim 8  wherein said catalyst is between 1 to 6 percent weight of the total weight of the mixture of said molten polymeric material and said catalyst. 
     
     
         10 . The wax of  claim 4  wherein said predetermined pressure is within the range of 10 to 10,000 psi. 
     
     
         11 . The wax of  claim 1  wherein said waste polymeric feed comprises at least 90% polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The wax of  claim 11  wherein the temperature in said reaction vessel is between 300° C. to 600° C. during said depolymerization. 
     
     
         13 . The wax of  claim 11  wherein the temperature of a wall of said reaction vessel does not exceed 700° C. 
     
     
         14 . The wax of  claim 11  wherein said wax has a melting point 45° C. to 130° C. 
     
     
         15 . The wax of  claim 11  wherein said depolymerization is aided by a catalyst, wherein said catalyst is [Fe—Cu—Mo—P]/Al 2 O 3 . 
     
     
         16 . The wax of  claim 15  wherein said catalyst is between 0.5 to 10 percent weight of the total weight of the mixture of said molten polymeric material and said catalyst material. 
     
     
         17 . The wax of  claim 11  wherein said predetermined pressure is within the range of 50 to 350 psi. 
     
     
         18 . The wax of  claim 11  wherein said waste polymeric feed further comprises grocery bags, milk pouches, and/or stationery files. 
     
     
         19 . The wax of  claim 1  wherein said waste polymeric feed comprises polystyrene. 
     
     
         20 . The wax of  claim 1  wherein said method further comprises:
 (d) inducing coalescence of an impurity from said wax and allowing said impurity to settle out of said wax.