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See here what are the challenges and key actions that will be addressed in each activity of CIRPLACAR project
The following are the activities to be investigated on mechanical recycling.
The valorisation of those ELV plastics not suitable for mechanical recycling will be explored through a thermocatalytic process. Pyrolysis (thermal or catalytic) will be the core of this chemical pathway to which staged condensation of the pyrolysis vapours and catalytic upgrading via hydrotreatment will be downstream coupled (if necessary).
This strategy will allow the production of valuable high purity products (e.g. caprolactam, styrene, methylmetacrylate, phenol, etc.) reducing to negligible levels those contaminants (halogenated compounds, metals) that are harmful for the process itself (catalyst poisoning, corrosion, etc.) and for the applications of the final products.
Tailoring multifunctional catalytic systems (acidity, halogen trapping capacity, hydrogen transfer, etc.), as well as optimization of operating conditions for each step of the integrated process, will be key actions to succeed in the overall goal of this challenging task.
Computer simulation based on the MultiScale Modeling Workflow (MSMW) scheme can yield new and important insights into the physical nature of polymer interactions. It will also allow one to predict the evolution of the atomistic, nano- and micro-structures of the recycled material.
Thus, simulations can incorporate new insights into next-generation of recycling processes.
Atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are essential techniques used to elucidate the complex interfacial properties of polymers and compatibilizers. These simulations provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms governing the interactions between polymer chains and compatibilizing agents at interfaces.
Furthermore, computational models to calculate properties of zeolitic materials in gas adsorption and separation have been proven valuable as a complement to experimental work.
Within CIRPLACAR project, simulations of the adsorption process of halogenated compounds present in the pyrolysis vapours on zeolites will be carried out. Both ab-initio DFT and classical molecular dynamics simulations will be applied to determinate the geometric arrangement and forces driving the adsorption on the zeolites. Monte Carlo simulations will also be applied in these systems to compute properties such as heat of adsorption, pore volume and surface area, among others.
The overall process envisaged in CIRPLACAR for the integrated mechanical and chemical recycling of ELV plastics will be assessed through life cycle sustainability assessment.
The environmental dimension will be addressed with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The Environmental Footprint 3.1 method, proposed by JRC, will be used, selecting the most appropriate environmental categories.
The economic dimension of sustainability will be addressed by a Life Cycle Costing (LCC) study in which, in addition to conventional economic indicators, an estimate of externalities will be carried out.
In the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA), a large number of social life-cycle indicators (child labour, forced labour, gender wage gap, etc.) will be quantified and the hotspots identified.
Both trade and life cycle assessment databases will be used to define a representative supply chain of each system under study.
Finally, the joint interpretation of environmental, economic and social indicators within a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) framework will be enriched by a comparative sustainability assessment against the conventional product systems.
C/ Serrano 121
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Avda. Tulipán s/n
28933 Móstoles
Madrid (Spain)
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Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3
28935 Móstoles
Madrid (Spain)
Tel.: +34 91 737 11 48
Esta web es parte del proyecto de I+D+i TED2021-130820B-C22 (CIRPLACAR), financiado por MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ y la “Unión Europea NextGenerationEU/PRTR”.