3RD INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON TECHNOLOGY - ENGINEERING & SCIENCE - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia (2017-02-09)

Simulation And Optimization Of Poly Ethylene Terephthalate (pet) In Hydrolysis Reaction To Terephthalic Acid

Poly (ethylene terephthalate) is a plastic with perfect thermal and mechanical characteristics that is highly valuable for recycling. Various methods are existed for recycling of this polymer, which chemical recycling to its generator monomer, i.e. terephthalic acid, is one of them. For this recycling type, there are many approaches in which phase transfer catalyzed alkaline hydrolysis to terephthalic acid is one of them. In this method, reaction temperature condition is mild, pressure is atmospheric, and the reaction achieve complete conversion in few hours. There are three main variables, i.e. temperature, base (NaOH) amount, and catalyst amount, which affect the reaction considerably. In this research, after thorough studying of reaction, experiments and mathematical model, the computer program has been developed for reaction simulation, which represents minus error and perfect accuracy. Furthermore, utilizing minimum time to achieving maximum conversion as target function, the results reveal that those three variable ought to be at their higher value to reaching optimum status. Sensitivity analysis clear the effect of temperature and controlling importance of it. In addition, it was shown that base and catalyst regulation enhance the reaction time, significantly. Keywords: Poly (ethylene terephthalate); Terephthalic acid; Catalyzed phase transfer; Alkaline hydrolysis.
Mahsa Abasizade, Hossein Mazaheri, Ali Hassani Joshaghani