Effective polyelectrolytes synthesised from expanded polystyrene wastes

Chemical modification of used polymer plastics to useful products is a way of effective waste management. To obtain the effective polyelectrolytes the synthesis of sulphonated derivatives of expanded polystyrene wastes was performed. Modification was conducted by means of known methods and products having various contents of sulpho- groups in polymer chain were obtained. Flocculation properties of the anionic type polyelectrolytes obtained were tested. Studies were conducted for coal mine water from the "Kleofas" coal mine and for water from the "Huta Czestochowa" plant circulation system. It was found that the polyelectrolytes have good flocculation properties similar to those of anionic type commercial polyelectrolyte. They could be used with good effect for aiding industrial water treatment processes. The optimal concentration of obtained polyelectrolytes was 0.066 mg/dm(3). Application of synthesised polyelectrolytes caused a decrease of turbidity and concentration of solved contamination, and improved quality parameter of purified water. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.