Dissolution of polyamide with cavitation bubbles in preparation for miniplants – an interdisciplinary collaboration of Process Systems Engineering with Soft Matter Physics
Plastics, although with many advantages, also cause problems like environmental pollution and ongoing extraction of fossil resources. Great reductions in environmental impact can be made by recycling polyamides (PAs) used in fishing nets, automobile parts, textiles, carpets, foils etc. since they are especially resource intensive in their production compared to other polymers.
In a joint cooperation of Process Systems Engineering atMax Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systemsand Soft Matter Physics atOtto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburgwe are investigating a solvent-based recycling method for PAs. We could observe cavitation bubbles caused by ultrasonic treatment to significantly enhance the dissolution rate of the polymer. Additionally, we are investigating process parameters relevant for industrial scale up making recycling even more sustainable without compromising on the quality of recovered PA.
