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Polymer Problems
recycling etc
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the current methods for disposing of polymers? | landfill, incineration and recycling |
| Why can we not continue to use landfill as a method? | UK landfill space will run out |
| Why should plastics be recycled? | non biodegrability |
| Problems with recycling. | plastic waste contains heavy metal ions and colourants |
| Why is simply reusing plastics better? | no processing therefore saves energy and oil resources |
| First stage of recycling | sorting (using optical scanning techniques) |
| Why is it important to sort the plastics? | distinguish PVC as when heated releases toxic dioxins |
| Second stage of recycling | reclamation (processing into small flakes before washing) |
| Alternative use for waste polymers | burning under controlled conditions to generate electricity |
| Another alternative use | feedstock recycling, convert polymers into synthesis gas to then use as a chemical feedstock |
| Problems with PVC recycling | high chlorine content makes PVC recycling uneconomical end product costs more to recycle than manufacture from crude oil |
| What happens to PVC instead? | PVC is incinerated to prevent from entering landfill |
| Problems with PVC incineration | create acidic hydrogen chloride fumes resulting in toxic fumes and corrosion in the plant |
| What does the plant do to minimize these problems | plant is fitted with pollution control apparatus to minimise release. |
| What are bioplastics | plastics that are biodegradable or compostable |
| What are bioplastics made from? | starch, maize, cellulose and lactic acid. |
| How do bioplastics degrade? | bacterial activity |
| What do bioplastics degrade to? | carbon dioxide and water |
Created by:
07blandforderin