LAPSE:2024.1612
Published Article

LAPSE:2024.1612
A Fast Computational Framework for the Design of Solvent-Based Plastic Recycling Processes
August 16, 2024. Originally submitted on July 9, 2024
Multilayer plastic films are widely used in packaging applications because of their unique properties. These materials combine several layers of different polymers to protect food and pharmaceuticals from external factors such as oxygen, water, temperature, and light. Unfortunately, this design complexity also hinders the use of traditional recycling methods, such as mechanical recycling. Solvent-based separation processes are a promising alternative to recover high-quality pure polymers from multilayer film waste. One such process is the Solvent-Targeted Recovery and Precipitation (STRAPTM) process, which uses sequential solvent washes to selectively dissolve and separate the constituent components of multilayer films. The STRAPTM process design (separation sequence, solvents, operating conditions) changes significantly depending on the design of the multilayer film (the number of layers and types of polymers). Quantifying the economic and environmental benefits of alternative process designs is essential to provide insights into sustainable recycling and film (product) design. In this work, we present a fast computational framework that integrates molecular-scale models, process modeling, techno-economic and life-cycle analysis to evaluate STRAPTM designs. The computational framework is general and can be used for complex multilayer films or multicomponent plastic waste streams. We apply the proposed framework to a multilayer film commonly used in industrial food packaging. We identify process design configurations with the lowest economic and environmental impact. Our analysis reveals trends that can help guide process and product design.
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Suggested Citation
Munguía-López ADC, Zhou P, Ikegwu UM, Lehn RCV, Zavala VM. A Fast Computational Framework for the Design of Solvent-Based Plastic Recycling Processes. Systems and Control Transactions 3:814-819 (2024) https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.175924
Author Affiliations
Munguía-López ADC: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Madison, WI, United States of America
Zhou P: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Madison, WI, United States of America
Ikegwu UM: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Madison, WI, United States of America
Lehn RCV: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Madison, WI, United States of America
Zavala VM: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Madison, WI, United States of America
Zhou P: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Madison, WI, United States of America
Ikegwu UM: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Madison, WI, United States of America
Lehn RCV: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Madison, WI, United States of America
Zavala VM: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Madison, WI, United States of America
Journal Name
Systems and Control Transactions
Volume
3
First Page
814
Last Page
819
Year
2024
Publication Date
2024-07-10
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DOI Assigned
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PII: 0814-0819-675865-SCT-3-2024, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2024.1612
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https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.175924
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