GROUP 4

RECYCLING
G4

OF
POLYMER REFILL PENS
SCIENCE
Lets Begin !
 INTRODUCTION
a. b. c.

Plastic is a ubiquitous material in our daily lives, particularly in the production of packaging and
containers. Its low cost, good mechanical properties, thermal properties, and chemical resistance
make it a popular choice for various applications. However, the global production and disposal of
plastic waste have become a significant environmental concern. The vast amount of plastic
waste generated annually poses a serious threat to our planet, as petroleum-based plastics can
take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. Recycling plastic waste is crucial for reducing
our reliance on virgin materials, conserving energy, and mitigating the environmental impact of
plastic pollution.
 POLYMERS IN PEN MANUFACTURING
POLYSTYRENE (PS)
Used for outer casings and transparent
pen bodies, polystyrene offers rigidity,
lightweight properties, and ease of
molding.

ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE
STYRENE (ABS)
ABS is commonly used for pen bodies
and caps due to its high impact
resistance, good toughness, durability,
and resistance to chemicals.

POLYETHYLENE (PE) POLYPROPYLENE (PP)

Polyethylene is used for caps, grips, or Polypropylene is often found in inner
parts requiring flexibility. It is available parts of pens, such as refill holders
in low-density (LDPE) and high-density and click mechanisms, due to its
(HDPE) forms, offering flexibility, flexibility, fatigue resistance, and
chemical resistance, and low cost. good chemical resistance.
 PEN RECYCLING
PROCESS
[Link]
The first step in pen recycling
is the collection of used pens
from various sources, such as
households, offices, and
schools.s full of iron oxide dust

3. Material
2. Sorting
Recovery Processes Pens are sorted based on their
After sorting, the materials undergo various material composition,
recovery processes, including mechanical separating different types of
recycling, chemical recycling, and metal plastics and metal
recovery. components.
MECHANICAL RECYCLING
OF PLASTICS
[Link] 3. DENSITY SEPARATION
Pens are shredded into Different types of plastics are
smaller pieces to separated based on their
facilitate further density using techniques like
processing. flotation or sink-float
separation.

2. WASHING AND
4. EXTRUSION AND
DECONTAMINATION
The shredded plastic is washed
PELLETIZING
The separated plastic
and decontaminated to remove
is melted and
impurities and contaminants.
extruded into pellets,
which can be used as
feedstock for new
plastic products.
CHEMICAL RECYCLING
OF PLASTICS
Chemical recycling, also known as advanced
recycling, involves breaking down plastics into their
chemical components, which can then be reused to
make new plastics. This process is particularly
useful for mixed or contaminated plastics that
cannot be easily separated or recycled
mechanically.

Step-Wise Processes for Chemical Recycling:-

1. Pyrolysis & Catalytic Pyrolysis
2. Hydrogenation (Hydrocracking)
3. Solvolysis
PYROLYSIS
Process Description
Pyrolysis involves heating plastics in an oxygen- 0
free environment, causing them to break down
into smaller hydrocarbon molecules. This process
converts plastics into a mix of liquid oil, gas, and
char, which can be refined into fuels or chemical
feedstocks for new plastics.

Technology Used
Pyrolysis reactors are specially designed vessels
In the case of plastic, pyrolysis breaks down polymers into
where plastics are heated to high temperatures smaller hydrocarbons. For example, the pyrolysis of
(typically between 400°C and 600°C) without polyethylene (PE) can be represented as:
oxygen. Condensers cool and condense the
vaporized hydrocarbons into liquid oil, which can (C2H4)n → Hydrocarbon Oil + Gaseous Alkanes/Alkenes
then be separated and purified.
Catalytic Pyrolysis
Products of Pyrolysis In some processes, catalysts are added to the pyrolysis reactor to
influence the reaction pathways and lower the required temperature.
The products of pyrolysis can vary depending on This leads to more selective production of valuable chemicals, fuels,
the material used and process conditions: and olefins. For example, in the pyrolysis of polyethylene, the use of a
zeolite catalyst can promote the formation of gasoline-range
Char hydrocarbons instead of longer hydrocarbons:
Liquid (Bio-Oil)
Zeolite
Gaseous Products Polyethylene Gasoline-range hydrocarbons
 HYDROGENATION (HYDROCRACKING)

Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction where hydrogen (H₂) is added to compounds, typically in the presence of
a catalyst (like nickel, platinum, or palladium) under high pressure and temperature. The purpose is to saturate
unsaturated bonds in hydrocarbons, making the products more stable and less reactive.
In the context of hydrogenation after pyrolysis, the process aims to:
Improve the quality of bio-oil or liquid hydrocarbons by reducing oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen content.
Stabilize unstable compounds, reducing their tendency to polymerize or degrade.
Convert unsaturated hydrocarbons into saturated ones, making the fuels more suitable for use (e.g., in
engines).
Why Hydrogenation After Pyrolysis?
Bio-oils or liquids produced from pyrolysis often contain a lot of oxygenates, acids, and unsaturated
compounds, which makes them acidic, unstable, and less energy-dense than traditional fossil fuels.
Hydrogenation reduces these undesirable characteristics, turning them into more refined, stable, and
energy-dense products.
SOLVOLYSIS
Solvolysis of plastics refers to the process where plastics are
chemically broken down by solvents, resulting in the
degradation of polymer chains into smaller molecules. This
process can be part of plastic recycling and recovery, especially
for materials like polyesters, polyurethanes, and
polycarbonates. During solvolysis, the polymer bonds are
cleaved with the help of a solvent, and the resulting products
can be reused as raw materials.
Key Points for Plastics:
Mechanism:
The solvent interacts with the polymer's chemical bonds,
breaking them down into smaller oligomers, monomers,
or chemical intermediates.
Depending on the solvent and plastic type, different
mechanisms like hydrolysis (with water), glycolysis (with
glycol), or alcoholysis (with alcohol) can occur.
Types of Plastics:
Polyesters like PET (polyethylene terephthalate) are often
subjected to glycolysis or methanolysis in solvolysis,
breaking them down into their base monomers such as
ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.
Polyurethanes can be solvolyzed into their original
polyols and isocyanates using solvents like alcohols or
amines.
 METAL RECOVERY

MAGNETIC
SEPARATION ELECTROREFINING
SMELTING AND Electrorefining is a
Magnetic separation is
used to remove ferrous REFINING process that uses
metals, such as iron and The recovered metals electrolysis to further
steel, from the pen are then smelted and purify the metals,
components. refined to produce pure removing impurities and
metals that can be enhancing their quality.
reused in various
applications.
 “Think big,
think fast,
think ahead,
Ideas are no one’s Monopoly."
—Dhirubhai Ambani
 Group 4

THANK YOU
Jnanadyuti Patra (102123033)
Aman Surana (102123010)
Aritra Dey (102123013)
Mohith Pranav (102123040)