Recycling

Biography

Biography: Huya Ucar Sokoli

Abstract

Closing the life cycle of waste polymer composites by converting it into valuable products: Polymer composites reinforced with fibers (FRP) are used in almost every type of advanced engineering structure, such as in industrial applications, automobiles, aeronautics, constructions, sports etc. According to the Composite Market Report, the usage of FRP composites exceeded 8.8 million tonnes in 2014 and continues to grow with a very fast rate. However, despite the successful applications of FRP composites, recycling at the end of the life cycle is associated with major difficulties, due to the cross-linked nature of the thermoset polymer. Therefore, the majority of the FRP composites are currently landfilled or incinerated. These abolition methods are not sustabiable in the long term and lead to negative impant on the environment. Chermical degradation of FRP composite waste has shown very promising results. With temperatures in the range of 260-325 °C and pressures down to 50 bar, it has been possible to convert the waste into usable end products. This includes: • Recovery of expensive monomers with high purity, which can be used to produce new polymers. • Conversion of the polymer into a potential fuel with high calorific value. • Recovery of fibers with retained mechanical properties. With these results, the FRP composite end of life cycle can be closed in an environemental and economical beneficial way. Furthermore, some of these achievements have not been attained previously, providing important knowledge in the field of composite recycling