THERMOLYSIS OF POLYSTYRENE

Styrene was recovered from polystyrene (molecular weight of 138,000) by thermolysis in a nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures between 368 and 407 degrees C. The results were independent of the initial weight of polystyrene, which was varied between 30 and 480 g. Up to 90% of the polystyrene was converted to liquid products. The liquid products had a styrene concentration as high as 90% and the styrene yield increased with temperature. Above 390 degrees C, the residue left in the reactor (less than 30% of initial polystyrene charge) consisted mainly of styrene monomer, dimer, and trimer (MW of 190). The kinetics support a first-order reaction with regard to the rate of production of volatiles. The activation energy was es estimated to be 166.5 kJ/mol. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.