Thermolysis of polystyrene

Abstract

Abstract Styrene was recovered from polystyrene (molecular weight of 138,000) by thermolysis in a nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures between 368 and 407°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°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 estimated to be 166.5 kJ/mol. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.