Recycling reactors for rigid PU foam residues

Technology

H&S technology of rigid PU foam recycling is based on the glycolysis method where PU residues are being dissolved in a mixture of glycol and catalysts. The highlight of H&S method is that in comparison to previously known glycolysis technologies recovered polyols contain the number of hazardous primary aromatic amines below the legal requirements which is being achieved through a deamination phase.

Process sequence and duration

Raw materials required for the process

  • PU/PIR residues
  • Glycol
  • Catalyst, additves

Properties of the recoverd polyol

Recovered polyol can substitute up to 30% of the basic polyol without any influence on the physical and mechanical properties of the PU foam.

The manufacturing costs of the recycled polyol are approximately 30% lower than the market price for original polyol.

The physical and mechanical properties of the PU/PIR foam produced with recovered polyol are comparable with reference samples manufactured without recycled polyol.

Physical and mechanical properties of the rigid PU foam in comparison to original foam produced on a continuous lamination line (example)

  Control sample
(Original-PU-Schaum)
PU foam
with recycled polyol
Percentage of the recycled polyol used (%): 0 20
Density (kg/m3): 29 29
Compression (%): 250 246
Counter rise strength (kg/m3): 90 89
Lambda coefficient: 0,0230 0,0225
Isocyanate index: 260 230

Reactor and peripheral equipment

1. Reactor
2. Feeding system for PU residues tank

Rigid foam reactors can be supplied with batch capacity from 1t to 5t or bigger if required.