FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

WORK:

PVC (POLYVINYL CHLORIDE) PRODUCTION PROCESS

COURSE:

Energy Management

STUDENTS:

HEREDIA QUISPE, GEINER

ABIGAIL HERRERA DELGADO

ADVISOR:

Ing. Jorge Cabrejos Barriga, Mg

CYCLE

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CHICLAYO, SEPTEMBER- 2014

 INDEX

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................ 3
1. DEFINITION4
2. GENERALITIES ............................................................................................................ 4
3. STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................... 4
4. CHARACTERISTICS......................................................................................................... 4
6. PROCESS PVC PRODUCTION........................................................................ 6
7. USES FROM PVC 7
8. DISADVANTAGES FROM THE PVC ............................................................................................... 8

9. RECYCLING PVC DEL...................................................................................................... 8

9.1. Mechanical recycling..................................................................................................... 8

10. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES10

 INTRODUCTION

It is paradoxical that one of the least stable commercial polymers is

at the same time one of the most interesting plastic materials of the
current events, which can be reflected in the large number of tons that
annually is consumed in the world. This commercial success is due to
mainly, to the development of suitable stabilizers, and other additives
that have made the production of high-performance thermoplastic compounds possible

utility.

Vinyl chloride in its monomer form was discovered by Henri Victor.

Regnault in the year 1838, when he was working with dichloroethane using a solution.

potassium hydroxide alcoholic. Regnault also discovered,

accidentally, the polyvinyl chloride, through direct exposure of the
monomer in daylight.

The development of a High Impact PVC constitutes one of the discoveries

of greater importance in the second half of the 20th century, in relation to this
material.

Currently, it is one of the products with a high annual production rate.

worldwide level due to its multiple uses, that is why it is important to know
its production process and the uses and applications. In addition, to identify the
negative and positive impacts generated by its production both economically
as environmentally.

THE STUDENTS

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 PVC (POLYVINYL CHLORIDE) PRODUCTION PROCESS

1. DEFINITION

Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas. It ignites easily and is unstable at high temperatures.
temperatures. It has a slightly sweet smell. It is a manufactured substance and not
It occurs naturally. It can be formed by the decomposition of other substances such as
such as trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene.

Vinyl chloride is used to manufacture polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is used for
to manufacture a variety of plastic products, including pipes, coatings of
wires and cables and packaging products.

2. GENERALITIES

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a modern, important, and well-known member of the

family of thermoplastics. It is a polymer obtained from two raw materials
natural sodium chloride or common salt (NaCl) (57%) and petroleum or natural gas (43%)
therefore being less dependent on non-renewable resources than other plastics.

It is one of the most studied and used polymers by man for his development.
and comfort, given that due to its wide versatility it is used in such diverse areas as
construction, energy, health, food preservation, and everyday items,
among others. The development in technology and applications has not paused, reaching
in our days to a production of 25 million tons.

3. STRUCTURE

Structurally, PVC is a vinyl polymer. It is similar to polyethylene, with the

difference that for every two carbon atoms, one of the hydrogen atoms is
replaced by a chlorine atom. It is produced through a polymerization by
free radicals of vinyl chloride.

4. CHARACTERISTICS
Low density (1.4 g/cm3), good mechanical strength and impact resistance, it
which makes it common and ideal for building and construction.

By using additives such as stabilizers, plasticizers among others, the

PVC can be transformed into a rigid or flexible material, characteristic
which allows it to be used in a large number of applications.

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 It is stable and inert, which is extensively used where the
Hygiene is a priority, for example: the drinking water pipes.

It is a highly durable material, PVC products can last

for more than sixty years as demonstrated in applications such
as pipes for the transport of drinking water and sanitation.

It is effectively used to insulate and protect electrical cables in the

home, offices, and in industries due to being a good insulator
electric

5. RAW MATERIALS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF POLYVINYL CHLORIDE

(PVC)

Sodium Chloride (Table salt) is a practically resource.

inexhaustible, from which chlorine and caustic soda are obtained through an electrolytic process
and hydrogen.
Oil and/or Natural Gas: Ethylene is obtained from one of them.
Ethylene and chlorine: They combine to produce dichloroethylene.
Dichloroethylene: It is transformed into vinyl chloride (VCM) which, by a
the polymerization and drying process produces a harmless white powder, the
polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

In its composition, PVC contains 57% chlorine, derived from common salt and
43% of hydrocarbons (gas and/or oil).

Additives for PVC

All polymers have some type of additives to facilitate processing that

it will lead to the final use or product. This allows for achieving rigid items (pipes,
window profiles) to very flexible (containers for serums and blood);
opaque, translucent or crystalline; pigmented in the desired range of colors, etc.

Plasticizers

The variations in the aggregated amounts of these auxiliaries are what allow
obtain articles with the desired flexibility or softness. The most commonly used are the
phthalates and among them the most common is DEHP or DOP; they are organic liquids
colorless, biodegradable, of very low solubility in water and that once
Incorporated into the PVC compound, they are intimately linked to the total mass.

Stabilizers

They are necessary in all PVC formulations to prevent its decomposition.

due to the heat during processing. They provide better resistance to light, to the
exposure to the elements and heat, and they have a significant influence on physical properties.

Lubricants

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They are mainly used in rigid materials, facilitating the process in the
obtaining tubes, bottles, film, sheets, etc.

Enhancers

They can be impact or process. The former improve impact resistance.

of profiles for windows, containers, etc. and the processing ones help to facilitate the
control of thickness and weight in low plasticity or rigid articles.

6. PVC PRODUCTION PROCESS

From salt, through the process of electrolysis, chlorine, caustic soda, and...
hydrogen. Electrolysis is the chemical reaction resulting from the passage of a current
electrolyzed by saltwater (brine). This is how chlorine is obtained, which represents 57%
of the PVC produced.

The oil, which represents 43% of the PVC manufactured, underwent a distillation of
crude oil, thus obtaining light naphtha. This then goes through the process of
catalytic cracking (breaking down large molecules into smaller molecules, with the
action of catalysts that accelerate the process), generating ethylene. Both the
Chlorine, like ethylene, is in the gaseous phase and reacts to produce DCE.
dichloroethane

From the DCE, the PVC (polyvinyl chloride, basic unit of

polymer. The polymer is formed by the repetition of the monomeric structure.
MVC molecules are subjected to the process of polymerization, that is, the process of obtaining
a much larger molecule made from identical elements (monomers), known
as PVC (polyvinyl chloride). A PVC molecule contains between 750 and 1,500
monomers.

In summary, the production of PVC is carried out basically in five stages:

Electrolysis: By which the salt provides

among other things, chlorine.

Oil refining and fractionation of

the naphtha: From which ethylene originates.

Chemical synthesis of the elements before

mentioned that produces the "monomer"
vinyl chloride in gaseous form.

PVC resin is mixed with various

additives in order to obtain variants with
quite diverse characteristics. The result
it is a relatively fine powder, or a
granulated.

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 Polymerization of the monomer to obtain the polymer polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, a
very fine powder of white color and inert.

7. USES OF PVC

APPLICATIONS TYPICAL PRODUCTS

Drinking water pipes and sewage
Windows, doors, blinds.
Baseboards, floors, walls.
Sheets for waterproofing
CONSTRUCTION
(roofs, floors).
CIVIL Channeling electric y for
telecommunications.
Papers for walls, etc.

Bottles for water and juice.

Bottles and Jars (food, pharmaceuticals,
PACKAGING cosmetics, cleaning, etc.)
Sheets (sweets, food).

Garden furniture (sun loungers, tables,

etc).
Parts for furniture (handles, rails,
FURNITURE weatherstripping, etc.
Dividers

Parts of electrical artifacts

Cable insulation
ELECTRICITY AND Distribution boxes
ELECTRONICS Plugs
Cases and parts of computers.

Surgical gloves
Tubes
Bags for serums
MEDICINE Bags for plasma transfusions and
blood.
Dialysis

Panels for doors

Boards
Upholstery
Frames
Automotive Electric cables
Profiles for window seals
Filters for air and oil

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 Footwear (boots, sneakers).
Safety clothing and waterproof clothing.
Gloves and leather goods (bags, suitcases,
CLOTHING
bags, upholstery.

Dolls.
Pelotas.
Inflatable beach toys.
TOYS Pools for children.
Some items for care of the
baby.

8. DISADVANTAGES OF PVC

One of the raw materials for the production of PVC is dichloroethane,

DCE, which is extremely dangerous:

Carcinogenic, induces birth defects, kidney damage and

other organs, internal bleeding, and thrombosis.
Highly flammable, it can explode producing hydrogen chloride.
and phosgene (two of the gases that can cause accidents like the one of
Bhopal.

From the DCE, the extremely toxic gas vinyl chloride is generated.
(VCM):

Proven human carcinogen

Explosive

9. PVC RECYCLING

PVC is a 100% recyclable material, it does not undergo any alteration in its chemical structure.
during its heating (and subsequent cooling), being able to be reprocessed. Possible
dumpsters do not contaminate the aquifer, as it is a
chemically inert material. It should be noted that PVC represents today
only 0.6% of urban waste.

9.1.
Mechanical recycling

This process no
affects the composition
polymer chemistry.
It is carried out after
to separate others
materials (glass,

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rubber or metals). The chosen PVC products are then ground and washed.
to reprocess them into new products.

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10. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

Argentine Association of PVC (2003). "PVC a versatile and reliable plastic."

Technical Bulletin No. 14. Buenos Aires, Argentina.

PROMATERIALS (2004). "PVC in construction, a material

contemporary and efficient.” Publisher: Protiendas S.L. Madrid, Spain. Pp: 48-
50

Ibero-American Journal of Polymers (2004). 'Recycling of Waste

"Plastics." Volume 5 (1). Editor: Arandes et al. Spain. Pages: 38-40

Catholic University of Argentina (2010). 'PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)'.

Faculty of Chemistry and Engineering. Pp: 2.4

VINYL (2010). 'Information Dossier, Iberian Forum PVC. Editor: Avenue E Van
Nieuwenhuyse. Brussels, Belgium. Pp: 2-5.

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