Tertiary Recycling Process for Shipboard Plastic Processor Product

A novel tertiary recycling process is proposed for investigation as an economical means for recycling shipboard plastic waste. Early development work has shown that this process can convert a wide variety of polymers and composites into low molecular weight hydrocarbons at temperatures below 200'C. The hydrocarbons produced can then be reused as chemicals, fuels, or monomers. Metal, glass, and filler impurities are separated from the hydrocarbons during the process and can be reclaimed or landfilled. A related technology has been demonstrated on a large scale (100 tons/day) for recycling used tires. For application to Navy Plastic Processor product (and/or land-based plastic waste), a survey of shipboard waste compositions, volumes, and locations will be taken, feedstock preparation equipment will be evaluated, conversion products will be determined using a continuous feed laboratory-scale reactor, product toxicity and resale markets will be identified, and, finally, the economics of a large-scale tertiary recycling operation will be estimated. Results from the Phase I program win provide the basis for design and fabrication of a large-scale demonstration system in Phase 11 and commercial systems in Phase III.