David R Cistone

US Patent:

6720467, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Oct 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/970637

Inventors:

David R. Cistone - Pennsville NJ
L. Steven Moore - West Chester PA
Edmond J. Carreras - Newtown Square PA

Assignee:

Resource Recovery Technologies, Inc. - Paoli PA

International Classification:

C07C 500

US Classification:

585241, 585435, 585436

Abstract:

This disclosure concerns a process and apparatus for reclamation of waste polystyrene-type materials for reuse within the specification ranges of the input polystyrene-type material. The disclosed process and apparatus include dissolution of the waste polystyrene-type materials in a dissolve section utilizing a reusable solvent having a low boiling point and high vaporization rate, removal of solid contaminants in one or more filter sections, devolatilization of the dissolved polystyrene and recovery of the polystyrene-type material in a solid form in a recovery section. Preferably the process and apparatus provide a closed system and include recycling and reuse in the process of the vaporized solvent. The maximum temperature in the recovery section is 190Â C. The reusable solvent is preferably environmentally safe and has a low boiling point and high vaporization rate.