EP3784458A1

EP3784458A1 - Method for recycling composite materials with an improved energy balance

Info

Publication number: EP3784458A1
Application number: EP19728723.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Luc Dubois
Original assignee: Arkema France SA
Current assignee: Arkema France SA
Priority date: 2018-04-27
Filing date: 2019-04-26
Publication date: 2021-03-03
Also published as: MX2020010965A; JP7449871B2; FR3080624A1; JP2024050570A; KR20210005887A; JP2021522085A; CN112292245A; FR3080624B1; US20210237317A1; BR112020021558A2; WO2019207259A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for recycling objects comprising a composite material, the material comprising a polymer matrix and a reinforcement, said method being characterised in that it comprises the following steps: introducing the object into a reactor for heating the object; heating the object in the reactor to a given temperature in order to destructure the polymer matrix; separating the reinforcement from the destructured polymer matrix; and bringing the reinforcement into contact with a first heat transfer means in order to recover the heat. The invention also relates to a system for recycling an object made of a composite material.

Description

ENHANCED ENERGY BALANCE COMPOSITE RECYCLING PROCESS

[Technical area]

The present invention generally relates to the recycling of articles of composite material, more particularly a composite material recycling process with an improved energy balance.

The invention is useful in all sectors of the industry faced with the problems of recycling post-consumer composite waste such as end-of-life products, or industrial waste such as defective products or falls from operations. of plastics.

[Prior Art]

[0003] A composite material (also called "composite" by shortcut) is a macroscopic combination of at least two immiscible materials between them. Generally, the composite material consists of a polymer matrix which forms a continuous phase on the one hand, and a reinforcing material (or reinforcement) which is generally a fibrous reinforcement on the other hand. There are also composites consisting of a polymer matrix and mineral filler, for example quartz, marble, silica, aluminum hydroxide, TiC> 2 .... Optionally, the composite material comprises also additives. These materials are also often associated with other elements such as metal inserts, wood or foams to manufacture items for various industries.

The recycling of articles comprising a composite based on a polymer matrix or composite polymer can be achieved by several methods. These methods generally involve thermal degradation of the polymer, i.e. the action of heat or a rise in temperature of the polymer causes the loss of the mechanical and physical properties of the polymer.

Pyrolysis is known which is a thermal process of placing the article to be treated in a suitable enclosure then heat the enclosure so that the heat is transferred to the article. The pyrolysis temperature is generally between 400 and 1300 ° C to allow the chemical decomposition of the polymer matrix. Pyrolysis of the article results in the formation of gas, an oily residue and a solid residue comprising the composite reinforcement, inorganic fillers and a carbonaceous solid. The gases obtained after pyrolysis can be used in the manufacture of new polymer articles, and the solid residue obtained after pyrolysis is particularly valued in the manufacture of other products such as insulation materials. This recycling method has a poor energy balance.

Fluidized bed processes are also known in which the fluidized bed may be a bed of silica sand, for example. In this process, the article comprising a composite is generally pre-milled and is placed in a fluidized bed reactor containing the fluidized bed. The fluidization is carried out using a gaseous flow heated to a temperature generally greater than 400 ° C. In this bed, the matrix is rapidly heated and gasified thus eliminating the reinforcement of the matrix. Part of the reinforcement is then carried out of the bed in the gas stream to a secondary combustion chamber. Another portion is entrained with the solid constituting the fluidized bed, and taken to a capacity where the solid is heated, and the carbonaceous residues burned before being returned to the fluidized bed reactor. As with pyrolysis, this method is not designed to optimize its energy balance. In both cases, at the end of the depolymerization / gasification, the solid constituting the reinforcement is removed, and the heat it has accumulated is lost. The lost heat is all the more important that the mass of non-depolymerizable / gasifiable material is important.

[0007] The chemical treatment of a composite article by solvolysis is also a known recycling method. It consists in treating the composite material of the article with a solvent adapted to allow the depolymerization of the matrix in polymer. It can be carried out at temperatures below 200 ° C, or under supercritical conditions with temperatures above 200 ° C and at high pressures (above 200 bar). The solvolysis can be seen as a "disassembly" of the composite material resulting on the one hand in an inorganic fraction comprising in particular the reinforcement of the composite material, and on the other hand in a liquid solution comprising the products resulting from the depolymerization and the solvent. At the end of the solvolysis process, the reinforcement and the polymer solution can be recovered.

It appears that known methods for recycling articles comprising a composite material involve various heating steps which may, for example, consist of heating a solvent for solvolysis, or to heat a gas to fluidize. a bed of sand, or to heat a reactor to induce pyrolysis. These various heating steps require the supply of energy in the form of heat, and an undesirable consequence is the consumption of a large part of the energy for heating fibrous reinforcements and mineral fillers (or any other non-depolymerizable / gasifiable material). ) contained in the composites. In fact, the composite materials may comprise up to 70% by weight, or even more, of non-depolymerizable solid compounds constituting the fibrous reinforcement, such as glass fibers, for example. The amount of energy devoted to heating these non-depolymerizable solid compounds must therefore be seen as a loss in the energy balance of the operation.

From an energy and environmental point of view, therefore, it is desirable to have a recycling method for improving the energy balance.

EP2752445A1 discloses a method and a device for recycling composite material comprising a polymer matrix and a reinforcement of carbon fibers. The purpose of this document is not to damage the carbon fibers during the recycling of the composite material so as to be able to recycle them in non-woven manufacturing processes. The composite article recycle is introduced into a reactor in which it is heated in order to destructure the polymer matrix.

The document

JP3899563 discloses the recycling of a composite material to a polymer matrix and a fibrous reinforcement fiberglass. For this, the material to be recycled is introduced into a reactor and heated to a temperature below the melting temperature of the glass fibers until the combustion of organic material progresses and the amount of residual carbon decreases.

WO2017 / 178681 discloses a composite material recycling process comprising a fibrous reinforcement of carbon fibers and / or glass fibers. The composite material is introduced into a horizontal reactor which comprises 3 independent zones and separated from each other by separation doors.

The document DE102007026748 describes a method and an apparatus for the continuous recycling of composite material reinforced with carbon fibers. For this, the material is conveyed in a tunnel reactor comprising a preheating chamber, a pyrolysis chamber and a reheating chamber.

[Technical problem ]

The invention therefore aims to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

The invention aims in particular to provide a simple and effective solution for depolymerizing a polymer constituting an article of composite material, to improve the energy balance and in particular to recover the amount of heat absorbed by the fibrous material, solid , not depolymerizable.

[Brief description of the invention]

For this purpose, a first aspect of the invention provides a method of recycling an article comprising a composite material, said composite material comprising a matrix polymer and a reinforcement, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

introduction of the article into a reactor adapted for heating the article,

heating the article in the reactor at a given temperature, in order to destructure the polymer matrix,

separating the reinforcement from the unstructured polymer matrix and contacting the reinforcement with a first heat transfer means to recover heat.

Thus, it is possible to transfer the sensible heat accumulated in the reinforcement, for the purpose of reuse of this heat. This heat must moreover be able to be recovered at one or more thermal levels in order to be able to valorize it in downstream operations of purification of the monomer obtained or upstream of drying of materials. Thus, the method makes it possible to carry out recycling of articles comprising a composite material whose carbon footprint is reduced. The method according to the invention is therefore more respectful of the environment.

In addition, the process according to the invention is particularly advantageous for composites containing more than 40% by weight of reinforcement and preferably for composites containing more than 50% by weight of reinforcement and more preferably for composites containing more than 60% by weight of reinforcement and preferably for composites containing more than 70% by weight of reinforcement.

According to other optional features of the method:

the introduction of the article into the reactor is carried out by means of a worm, a conveyor belt, a hopper or a dosing module;

the article is heated to a temperature of between 200 ° C and 1500 ° C,

the separation of the reinforcement is carried out by at least one of the following processes: centrifugation, dewatering, dewatering, pressing, filtering, sieving and / or cycloning; the first heat transfer means is a heat exchanger with direct contact between the reinforcement and a heat transfer fluid;

the first heat transfer means is a device for immersing in the heat transfer fluid or for spraying the heat transfer fluid;

the first heat transfer means is a heat exchanger with indirect contact between the reinforcement and a coolant;

a protective agent is added to the reinforcement;

the recovered heat is used in the article recycling process in addition to heat input from an external heat source;

the recovered heat is used to preheat the article before its introduction into the reactor;

the method further comprises a step of contacting the reinforcement with a second heat transfer means to recover additional heat after heat recovery by contacting the reinforcement with the first heat transfer means;

the polymer matrix comprises polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA);

part of the destructured matrix is reintroduced into the reactor after separation from the reinforcement. This can allow on the one hand a faster destructuring of the matrix of the following articles and on the other hand to improve the recycling of the reintroduced matrix.

The invention also relates to a system for recycling an article comprising a composite material comprising a polymer matrix and a reinforcement, said system being characterized in that it comprises:

means for conveying said article,

a reactor adapted for heating said article with a view to the destructuring of its polymer matrix, means for separating the reinforcement from the unstructured polymer matrix, and

a first heat transfer means adapted to recover heat from the reinforcement.

The recycling system according to the invention may further comprise a second heat transfer means adapted to recover additional heat from the reinforcement. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the appended figures which represent:

FIG. 1, a step diagram of the recycling method according to one embodiment,

2, a diagram showing an example of heat transfer by a direct contact heat exchanger, FIG. 3, a diagram of a plate type heat exchanger, and FIG.

- Figure 4, a step diagram of the recycling process according to another embodiment.

[Description of the invention]

In the following description, the term "monomer", a molecule that can undergo polymerization.

The term "polymerization" as used refers to the process of converting a monomer or mixture of monomers into a polymer.

By "polymer" is meant either a copolymer or a homopolymer. A "copolymer" is a polymer comprising several different monomer units and a "homopolymer" is a polymer comprising identical monomeric units.

The term "depolymerization" as used refers to the process for converting a polymer into one or more monomer (s) and / or oligomer (s) and / or polymer (s) mass reduced molecular weight with respect to the molecular weight of the initial polymer.

The term "reduced mass polymer" means a polymer whose weight average molecular weight is less than the weight average molecular weight of the initial polymer constituting the matrix. The weight average molecular weight can be measured by size exclusion chromatography.

The term "thermoplastic polymer" or "thermoplastic", a polymer which, repeatedly, can be softened or melted under the action of heat and adopts new form by application of heat and pressure. Examples of thermoplastics are, for example: high density polyethylene (HDPE) especially used for the production of plastic bags or for the automobile industry; polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in particular for the production of plastic bottles; Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Thus, the use of thermoplastics affects a wide variety of sectors, from packaging to automobiles, and the demand for plastic remains high.

The term "thermosetting polymer" means a plastic material which is irreversibly converted by polymerization into an insoluble polymer network.

The term "(meth) acrylic polymer" means a homopolymer or a copolymer based on (meth) acrylic monomer, which is for example chosen from methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate. , ethyl acrylate, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, acrylate, cyclohexyl, cyclohexyl methacrylate, isobornyl acrylate, isobornyl methacrylate and mixtures thereof. Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a particular example of a (methacrylic) polymer obtained by polymerization of a methyl methacrylate monomer. The term "PMMA", within the meaning of the invention, denotes homopolymers and copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA), the weight ratio of MMA in PMMA being preferably at least 70% by weight. for the MAM copolymer. The term "copolymer based on methyl methacrylate" means a copolymer having at least one methyl methacrylate monomer. For example, a methyl methacrylate copolymer may be a copolymer comprising at least 70%, preferably 80%, advantageously 90% by weight of MMA in PMMA.

By "base monomer" is meant the most important monomeric unit constituting a polymer. Thus, in PMMA, the base monomer is MAM.

By "polymer matrix" is meant a solid material serving as a binder. The "matrix" comprises polymers and / or oligomers. Thus, a "(meth) acrylic polymer matrix" refers to any type of acrylic and methacrylic compounds, polymers, oligomers, or copolymers. However, it would not be outside the scope of the invention if the (meth) acrylic polymer matrix comprised up to 10% by weight, preferably less than 5% by weight, of other non-acrylic monomers, chosen for example from the following group: butadiene, isoprene, styrene, substituted styrene such as α-methylstyrene or tert-butylstyrene, cyclosiloxanes, vinylnaphthalenes and vinylpyridines.

For the purposes of the invention, the term "composite" is intended to mean a multi-component material comprising at least two immiscible components in which at least one component is a polymer and the other component may for example be a fibrous reinforcement.

By "reinforcement" is meant a non-depolymerizable or gasifiable solid material such as a "fibrous reinforcement" or a "mineral filler" which remain at the end of treatment.

By "fibrous reinforcement" is meant a set of fibers, unidirectional rovings or a continuous filament mat, fabrics, felts or nonwovens which may be in the form of strips, tablecloths, braids, wicks. or parts. By "mineral fillers" is meant any powdery fillers for example quartz, marble, silica, aluminum hydroxide, TiCt.

The term "destructuring" is understood to mean a process in which the polymer of the matrix of a composite material is treated to give a mixture in the molten state and / or a gaseous mixture, thus making it possible to release the reinforcement. fibrous. Destructuring can result in depolymerization which is a process in which the polymer of the matrix is fragmented to result in melt mixing and / or a gas mixture. The fragmentation of the polymer may in particular lead to the basic monomer of the polymer.

By "heat exchanger" is meant a system for transferring heat between a first element and a second element, the first element having a higher temperature than the second element.

By "direct contact heat exchanger" means an exchanger without partition wall between the first and the second element.

By "indirect contact heat exchanger" is meant an exchanger in which the first element is not in contact with the second element, for example in which the hot reinforcement is not in intimate contact with the fluid. .

The term "substantially equal" in the sense of the invention a value varying from less than 30% relative to the value compared, preferably less than 20%, even more preferably less than 10%.

In the description of the embodiments which follow and in the accompanying Figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements or similar elements.

The invention relates to a method of recycling an article of composite material. The composite material of the article to be recycled comprises at least one polymer matrix and a reinforcement.

The polymer matrix may be a matrix of thermosetting polymer or thermoplastic polymer. Thermosetting or thermosetting polymers are polymers having a three-dimensional crosslinked structure. The thermoset polymers are shaped hot and crosslink in the desired shape. Once the shape of the thermosetting polymer is fixed and cooled, it can no longer be modified under the action of heat. Thermosetting polymers are, for example: unsaturated polyesters, polyimides, polyurethanes or vinyl esters which can be epoxidic or phenolic.

The thermoplastic polymer-based matrices are generally preferred because they are thermoformable and more easily recyclable. By way of nonlimiting examples, the thermoplastic polymer matrix may be based on a homo- and copolymer of olefins such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, styrene-butadiene-alkyl methacrylate (or SBM) copolymers. ); polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene and polybutylene; acrylic homo- and copolymers and alkyl polymethacrylates such as poly (methyl methacrylate); homo- and copolyamides; polycarbonates; polyesters including poly (ethylene terephthalate) and poly (butylene terephthalate); polyethers such as polyphenylene ether, polyoxymethylene, polyethylene oxide or polyethylene glycol and polyoxypropylene; polystyrene; copolymers of styrene and maleic anhydride; polyvinyl chloride; fluorinated polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene tetrafluoride and polychlorotrifluoroethylene; natural or synthetic rubbers; thermoplastic polyurethanes; polyaryl ether ketones (PAEK) such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyether ketone ketone (PEKK)

; polyetherimide; polysulfone poly (phenylene sulfide)

; cellulose acetate; poly (vinyl acetate); or a mixture of two or more of these polymers.

In particular, the thermoplastic polymer matrix may be a poly (methyl methacrylate) resin (PMMA). In the composite material, the thermoplastic polymer matrix is closely related to the reinforcement. The reinforcement can be seen as a frame, often based on fiberglass or carbon. For example, the reinforcement may be a fabric, sails, felts or a fibrous material based for example on glass fibers, carbon fibers or basalt fibers. In particular, the composite material of the article to be recycled is based on PMMA and fibrous materials.

When recycling an article comprising a composite material, the polymer matrix is destructured or depolymerized.

The recycling of the article comprising a composite material, and more particularly the destructuring of the composite material, can be achieved by methods such as: pyrolysis, pyrolysis at high temperature, heat treatment in a fluidized bed reactor, heat treatment in an extruder or conveyor, heat treatment in a rotary kiln, pyrolysis in a mechanically stirred bed, pyrolysis in molten salt bath or depolymerization by solvolysis including a rise in temperature.

Figure 1 shows a step diagram of the method of recycling an article according to a first embodiment. This recycle can be seen as a process in which the polymer matrix of the composite is converted to melt residues and / or gaseous residues, and wherein a solid residue, including the reinforcement, is produced. . For this, in a step 110, the article to be recycled is introduced into a reactor adapted for recycling the polymer. Then, the article is heated in a step 120 using a suitable heating means. For example, the heating can be achieved by a bed of molten lead, a fluidized bed (eg sand), an exposure of the article to microwaves, pulsed electric fields or water vapor , by contact with a hot surface as in an extruder, a screw conveyor ... The hot surface can be heated by various means: direct electric heating, heat transfer fluid heating (steam, oil, molten salts ...). The heating of the article is carried out at a given temperature allowing the destructuring of the composite and leading to at least one residue in the molten state and / or a residue in the gaseous state. The heating may for example be carried out at a temperature of between 200 ° C. and 1500 ° C., preferably between 200 ° C. and 600 ° C., more preferably between 200 ° C. and 500 ° C. and even more preferably between 300 ° C and 500 ° C.

The depolymerization of the composite also leads to the formation of a solid residue comprising the reinforcement. In a step 130, the reinforcement is separated from the unstructured polymer matrix. This reinforcement is then brought into contact, in a step 140, with a first heat transfer means so that the heat stored by the reinforcement is transmitted to a fluid, the fluid can be liquid or gaseous.

In addition, when the depolymerization is not carried out at 100% conversion, the non-depolymerized or gasified polymer portions may have stored heat and return it to the first heat transfer means. Thus, when the depolymerization is not carried out at 100% conversion, the process comprises a concomitant step, during which the non-depolymerized fraction is brought into contact with the first heat transfer means. Then, the sensible heat and / or the heat of fusion of the polymer stored by the non-depolymerized fraction can be transmitted to a fluid which can be liquid or gaseous in the same sequence as the reinforcement. In addition, the process may comprise a further step in which the non-depolymerized fraction can be totally or partially oxidized thereby producing a heat of combustion that is recovered by a heat transfer means. This additional step may or may not be concomitant with the recovery of the sensible heat of the reinforcement. The heat recovery of the non-depolymerized fraction thus makes it possible to further improve the overall energy balance. Advantageously, it is also possible according to the method, to recover the combustion heat stored by the impurities of the depolymerization after a purification step of the MAM resulting from the depolymerization. Thus, it is possible to transfer heat accumulated in the reinforcement, in the non-depolymerized fraction or in the impurities for reuse of this heat.

The heat thus recovered is advantageously recovered at one or more thermal levels so as to be able to valorize it best in downstream purification operations of the monomer obtained or upstream of drying or preheating materials. Thus, the method makes it possible to carry out recycling of articles comprising a composite material whose carbon footprint and energy consumption of non-renewable resources is reduced. The method according to the invention is therefore more respectful of the environment.

It should be noted that the article to be recycled may be a manufactured product or part of a manufactured end-of-life product, or a waste production of such a product. In both cases, a preliminary sorting step may be necessary in order to eliminate the non-depolymerizable waste or any non-depolymerizable product also contributing to energy efficiency losses.

In one embodiment, the recycling method of the article comprises a preliminary sorting step, before the implementation of the method described above with reference to the step diagram of FIG. sorting may be a step in which the article comprising a composite material is separated and isolated. For example, it can be separated and isolated from articles that do not include composite material, and / or it can be separated and isolated from contaminants such as glass, sand or metals. The sorting step also allows the separation and sorting of plastics by family. For example, it is possible to sort the thermoplastic polymers on the one hand and the thermosetting polymers on the other hand. The sorting may also make it possible to eliminate portions resulting from grinding which are not made of composite material.

The sorting can be carried out by all sorting methods adapted to the recycling of polymer. A possible sorting method may involve a settling system in which the waste is placed in a tray of water and / or brine. The heavy elements are found at the bottom of the tank, and can be evacuated via a pneumatic airlock system. The elements to be recycled can be extracted from the tank using a worm. Sorting may also include magnetic sorting to extract metal particles. Sorting may also include eddy current separation to remove some metals such as copper. It is also possible to combine separation technologies such as, for example, density sorting in a solution and magnetic separation. Sorting can be done in a sorting center. The sorting step advantageously allows the evacuation of elements that could deteriorate the various devices used in the implementation of the recycling process.

In order to introduce the article to be recycled into the reactor adapted for recycling polymer, introduction means may be used. For example, the introduction of the article into the reactor can be carried out using a worm, a conveyor belt, a hopper or a dosing module. The feed rate of the reactor article to be recycled may be between 10 kg / h and 2000 kg / h, and preferably between 50 kg / h and 500 kg / h, preferably between 100 kg / h and 400 kg / h. h.

In order to facilitate the introduction of the article into the reactor adapted for polymer recycling, the article may be ground beforehand. Thus, in one embodiment, the method for recycling the article comprises a step of grinding the article, implemented before step 110 of FIG. 1. The grinding step makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the article. the article to be recycled and can for example be made using any suitable mechanical grinder. The article is reduced to dimensions allowing the introduction of the ground material thus obtained into a device adapted for recycling according to the invention. The particles obtained after grinding may for example have a size such that at least one dimension is between 1 and 100 mm, preferably between 3 and 50 mm. Preferably, at least one of the dimensions is less than 3 mm. The article can then take the form of chips, granules or powder. The article may also be introduced into the reactor in one or more of the aforementioned forms. Advantageously, the grinding step may facilitate a sorting step. This is why it can be implemented before the sorting operations described above. Advantageously, the recycling method of the article comprises a preheating step of the article to be recycled. This preheating step of the article can be carried out before it is introduced into the reactor and, if necessary, after grinding. The preheating can be performed using any suitable heating means. Alternatively, it can be initiated in the reactor suitable for polymer depolymerization. The temperature at which the article is preheated may be 50 ° C or higher, for example 200 ° C. By preheating the article, a portion of the polymer can be melt or the liquid state and / or the depolymerization of the polymer matrix can be facilitated. Advantageously, the preheating of the article can be achieved through heat recovered by a heat transfer means, from heat recovered on site. In this case, energy savings are achieved and the process has a favorable energy balance and is therefore more respectful of the environment. In addition, the rate of depolymerization is increased when the article is preheated, and thus the recycling process is generally faster. In order to recycle the composite material article and to destructure the polymer part of the composite, the article is placed in a reactor. For example, the reactor may be an extruder or conveyor, a reactor suitable for pyrolysis, for high temperature pyrolysis, for molten salt bath pyrolysis, or a fluidized bed reactor or a reactor adapted for solvolysis or a reactor consisting of hollow plates heated by a coolant circulating in the plates.

An extruder-conveyor is a reactor comprising one or more endless screws each actuated in a sleeve, allowing in particular the mixing of the elements introduced into said sheath. The use of an extruder-conveyor for the implementation of the recycling process is advantageous from an environmental point of view, safety and security of the process. Indeed, an extruder-conveyor makes it possible to treat molten polymers of high viscosity without resorting to the addition of solvent to reduce the viscosity of the molten polymers. The extruder-conveyor has the advantage of allowing an efficient thermal transfer of the sheath to the composite to be treated. The extruder can be advantageously replaced by a screw conveyor system in all or part of its length. Advantageously, the system may comprise the combination of a conveyor type device in the first part, followed by an extruder type device and terminated by a conveyor type device configured to transport the solid (i.e. reinforcement) to the outlet.

A reactor for receiving the article to be recycled comprising a composite material may be a circulating fluidized bed reactor. A circulating fluidized bed reactor is a reactor in which the fluidization velocity is of the order of 4 to 8 m / s in the transport section of the fluidized bed, that is to say higher than the fluidization velocity of the fluidized bed. a conventional fluidized bed which is 0.4 to 1 m / s. In this type of reactor, a fast fluidized bed is at the bottom, surmounted by a smaller diameter section. In the lower part there is a strong mixture of the composite and the heat transfer solid to allow efficient heat transfer. Depolymerization / gasification produces a additional gas volume which then causes the composite and the solid heat transfer up. At the top of the reactor, a zone of clearance makes it possible to turn the heat transfer solid towards a capacity to heat it up, and to extract the gases produced as well as the fibers and other solids. This device has the advantage of allowing a better heat exchange between the solid particles entrained.

A reactor adapted for the recycling of the article may also be a pyrolysis reactor, for example a multi-stage pyrolysis reactor or a stirred rotary cylinder reactor. Two configurations are possible: either the cylinder rotates on its axis, or an internal stirring system ensures mixing.

Another example of a reactor suitable for recycling the article may be a reactor for pyrolysis at high temperature. Such a reactor comprises vitreous magma and the treatment temperature of the article is between 1200 ° C and 1500 ° C. At the outlet of the reactor, glass granules are recovered, in particular if the composite material is based on glass fibers.

A reactor that can be used to recycle the article comprising a composite material may be a reactor for molten salt bath pyrolysis in which the depolymerization is generally carried out between 400 and 500 ° C. The article is immersed in the molten salt bath to allow depolymerization of the matrix. The fiber can be recovered by filtration from the bath, for example. The salt bath may be composed of a eutectic mixture such as eutectic CaCl 2 or eutectic NaCl-Na ₂ CC ₃ . Advantageously, the molten salt bath pyrolysis is suitable for the treatment of thermosetting polymers or composite materials contaminated with paints or varnishes, for example.

Another type of usable reactor consists of hollow plates, heated by a coolant circuit (pressurized steam, oil, molten salts, etc.). During its treatment the article advances on the plates of increasing temperatures at first. The solid residue finished his passing through the reactor passing on plates which are at a lower temperature and where the heat exchange is now from the residue to the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid thus heated can then be used to preheat the article to the inlet of the reactor.

In all the reactor examples discussed above, the composite material article is heated in the reactor at a given temperature for the destructuration or depolymerization of the constituent polymer of the composite. Such a temperature can be between 200 ° C. and 1500 ° C., depending on the type of reactor and the deconstruction technique used. In the case of a composite comprising PMMA, the given destructuration temperature may be between 300 ° C. and 600 ° C., preferably 350 ° to 500 ° C., more preferably between 400 ° and 450 ° C., this range of temperature being particularly adapted to the destructuring of PMMA which is a polymer of interest.

In a preferred embodiment, the heating of the article is carried out under an inert atmosphere, for example under vacuum, under nitrogen, under CO2 or under argon or substantially low in oxygen (for example from 0.1 to 10% of oxygen). Alternatively, when the production of a synthesis gas via gasification is desired, then the heating of the article is carried out in the presence of a reactive gas containing oxygen. In order to control the atmosphere in which the heating of the article is carried out, the reactor may be isolated from the feed portion, either by a feed lock, or by a plug of molten polymer for example or by any other means. Thus, the reactor into which the article is introduced can be hermetically sealed during its operation and more particularly during the heating / pyrolysis / depolymerization step. By way of example, the oxygen composition in the reactor can be controlled and adapted to the nature of the composite. Such an oxygen-depleted atmosphere can, for example, be obtained by recycling the gases combustion of the light effluents of the depolymerization unit. After combustion the oxygen content can be brought into the appropriate range.

Recall that with the recycling method according to embodiments, the polymer matrix is destructured and is converted for example into a mixture in the molten state or liquid, or a mixture in the gaseous state. Thus, the method comprises a separation step in which the reinforcement and the destructured matrix are separated from each other and isolated. The separation means is adapted to the state of the matrix in the reactor or at the outlet of the reactor, namely according to whether the matrix is converted into a mixture in the molten or liquid state, or is converted into a mixture at the reactor. gaseous state. In the case where the reinforcement is contained in a mixture in the molten or liquid state, the separation means can be any means allowing a solid / liquid separation, such as a grid for example. The separation can also be done by centrifugation by means of a centrifuge, or by decantation, filtration, dewatering, spinning, pressing or sieving. Preferably, the separation is carried out by filtration in a molten medium, pressing or decantation. In the case where the matrix is gasified / depolymerized, the separation means may comprise a cyclone or filters, for example. When filters are used, back pressure is applied periodically to separate the solid that has accumulated in the filter. The solid cake is then recovered below the filter in a capacity provided for this purpose. It should be noted that during the depolymerization of the matrix, polymer residues may remain on the reinforcement.

Optionally, a portion of the destructured matrix is reintroduced into the reactor. Indeed, during the separation step, the mixture in the molten or liquid state can be recovered in a chamber provided for this purpose. In the case of a gaseous mixture, the gas can be extracted from the reactor by conduits to be condensed in a condenser provided for this purpose. The chamber containing the mixture in the molten state or liquid can be connected to the reactor, via a conduit or a return leg for example, to allow the reintroduction of said mixture in the reactor. The melt mixture contains, in particular, polymers of reduced mass. Thus, advantageously, the reintroduction of the mixture in the molten state, resulting from the destructuring of the matrix, makes it possible to facilitate the destructuring of the matrix of an article, or the following batch of articles, and / or of improve the conversion rate of the matrix. Moreover, the condensation of the gaseous mixture can be carried out fractionally and lead to clean fractions containing the base monomer, and less clean fractions containing monomer and contaminants. This contaminant-containing fraction can also be reintroduced into the reactor in order to allow a better separation of the monomers contained in this fraction.

In the recycling process, the reinforcement obtained after the step of separating and isolating the reinforcement is brought into contact with a first heat transfer means and optionally a second heat transfer means.

The heat transfer means is advantageously a heat exchanger. Conventionally, a heat exchanger allows the transfer of heat between two fluids. In the recycling process, the heat transfer is carried out between a solid and a coolant. The solid and the fluid can be fixed, or they can both be in motion, or the solid is fixed while the fluid is in motion. The solid and the fluid can flow parallel to each other and in the same direction. However, the solid and the fluid can flow parallel to each other but in opposite directions. They can also circulate perpendicularly.

The heat transfer can be achieved by a direct contact heat exchanger. Thus, during a heat transfer carried out by a direct contact heat exchanger, the reinforcement The heat is in intimate contact with the coolant. The fluid may be a liquid, for example water, a solvent or a mixture thereof. In other examples, the fluid may be a gaseous fluid such as a stream of air or gas for example. The contacting with the fluid can be carried out using an immersion or spraying device. Preferably, the contacting is by sprinkling so as to produce steam at high temperature. This spraying can be followed by immersion. The contacting can also be carried out by means of a nozzle or a series of nozzles having holes through which the fluid can exit, the nozzles being directed towards the solid element. Other heat transfer fluids may be used, preferably the fluids available on site are used. For example, water, air, gas, but also the co-products of the depolymerization, in particular hydrocarbons that can be used as fuel and / or as a secondary heat transfer fluid. In fact, the hydrocarbons vaporize, in a manner similar to water, in contact with the hot residue. The hot gas is directed to a boiler where the hydrocarbons are condensed while boiling water. This water will be used in the process or to heat a primary heat transfer fluid.

Alternatively, the heat transfer can be achieved by an indirect contact heat exchanger. Such a heat exchanger may be, for example, a tubular heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, horizontal tubular bundle, vertical tubular bundle, a spiral heat exchanger, a fin exchanger, or a rotary exchanger or block. These examples are not limiting, and one skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of indirect contact heat exchangers can be used. An indirect contact heat exchanger can also implement a heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be a liquid, for example water, a solvent or a mixture thereof, molten salts or synthetic oil, for example such synthetic oil may be the product marketed by ARKEMA under the name Jarytherm (registered trademark).

The advantage of an indirect contact heat exchanger is that it can recover heat at different thermal levels. In other words, it is possible to achieve heat recovery at several thermal levels, each thermal level being associated with a different temperature. It is possible to have heat exchangers in cascade (or in stages) to allow a heat exchange with the reinforcement which is less and less hot from one exchanger to another.

In order to implement the recycling process, it is possible to use a system comprising in particular:

means for conveying said composite article,

a reactor adapted for heating said article with a view to the destructuring of its polymer matrix,

a means for separating the reinforcement from the unstructured polymer matrix, and

a first heat transfer means adapted to recover heat from the reinforcement.

The recycling process in which the reactor is a fluidized bed reactor will now be described. With reference to the diagram of FIG. 2, article 201 made of a composite based on PMMA and fibers is introduced into a fluidized bed reactor 202 via a hopper or worm 216, preferably at a low point of the reactor (in indeed, articles 201 may tend to rise in the fluidized bed). The article 201 is in the form of particles of about 25 mm, obtained by grinding (not shown).

An inert fluidization media is also introduced into the reactor. This media may be, for example, sand, ceramic particles, metal particles, particles of metal oxide, metal hydroxide particles or metal halide particles.

The inert particle media and the article 201, in the form of crushed particles, form a mixture of solid particles 203 which is suspended in a hot upward gas stream 204, above a support / grid of distribution 205. The inert particle media is warmed by the hot gas stream and / or in an external capacity (not shown). In the latter case, the solid present in the reactor 202 is withdrawn, for example by worm, to be reheated in the external capacity before being returned to the reactor 202. The reheating may be carried out by combustion of the carbonaceous residues of article 201 and / or by external heat input.

The gaseous stream may be based on nitrogen, carbon dioxide, monomer or water vapor for example, and it is optionally heated to a temperature between 450 ° C and 550 ° C.

The support 205 may be a grid or a diffuser that does not allow the passage of particles downwards but allowing the passage of gaseous current upwards.

The fluidization gas 204 is injected into the lower part 206 of the reactor, and its flow rate is such that it must allow fluidization of the mixture of particles. The gas flow causes a movement of the mixture of particles and a stirring favoring the heat transfer. In the reactor, the PMMA-based matrix is depolymerized under the action of heat, in particular to give the monomer methyl methacrylate in the form of a gas. The gases 207 produced in the reactor are driven to a gas / solid separator 208 such as a cyclone. Such a separator may be internal or external to the reactor. There can also be a multiplicity of separators in series, internal and external, the first having for objective to maintain the inert particles in the reactor, and the following having for objective to recover the particles of the reinforcement 209.

In order to recover the heat stored in the reinforcement 209, the latter is recovered in a chamber 210 provided for recover the reinforcement after separation. The chamber 210 is isolated from the separator 208 by any suitable means to possibly prevent the gases generated in the reactor from following the same path as the reinforcement. This can be achieved using a worm screw, an airlock, a flow of inert gas ensuring a back pressure or any other means. The reinforcement is recovered after the depolymerization process carried out in the reactor, it has a temperature substantially equal to the temperature in the reactor. The chamber 210 may have an orifice 211 provided with means for regulating the heat transfer fluid inlet in the chamber 210. The chamber may also have an outlet 212 to allow the outlet of the heated heat transfer fluid. In the case of a liquid fluid, for example water, it is conveyed to the chamber 210 from an external reservoir 213.

The flow of the fluid can be achieved by any suitable means, for example by flexible or rigid pipes or pipes.

The water is introduced into the chamber 210 through the inlet orifice 211. In the example shown, the hot reinforcement 209 is brought into contact by spraying and / or immersion with the water entering through the orifice 211, preferably by spraying. Following the contacting of the fluid with the reinforcement, the heat transfer is carried out and results in the production of hot water vapor 214. The heat thus recovered in the form of hot water vapor is extracted from the chamber 210 by the exit 212.

Advantageously, the recovered heat can be used in the recycling process of the invention, in addition to a heat input by an external heat source. By heat source is meant all examples of heating means already described.

For example, this heat can be used on site for preheating 215 of article 201. The recovered heat can also be used in monomer purification steps. For example, the gases 207 can be condensed using a condenser, and the resulting condensate can be hydrolysed with hot steam. This hot water vapor can be obtained by heating an aqueous solution, the heating being carried out with the recycled heat. The hydrolysis can also be carried out by direct contact of the water vapor obtained by contact with water and the hot reinforcement with the condensate or the vapors 207, in the presence or absence of a hydrolysis catalyst. The hydrolysis products can then be separated by crystallization, for example, or by any other equivalent technique.

Referring to Figure 3, the heat exchanger 300 may be a plate type exchanger with several plates (301a and 301b). These plates 301a and 301b are hollow and may be of generally rectangular or circular shape, or in cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape (e.g., a chute). In one example, they are arranged parallel to each other, more precisely flat and one above the other. The space between the plates is small, of the order of a few millimeters to a few centimeters, however it allows the passage of the reinforcement. Each plate 301 has an interior space in which a heat transfer fluid circulates. The first fluid 302 entering a first plate 301a may have a temperature Tle different from the temperature T2e of the second fluid 303 entering a second plate 301b. The hot reinforcement 209 may be disposed on a first plate, on which it rests by gravity, so that the heat transfer takes place by conduction of heat through the upper wall of the plate. The solid residue (i.e. reinforcement) progresses from one plate to another by gravity or by means of "pushers" which advance the solid residue (i.e. reinforcement) on the plates. The contact time between the reinforcement and a heat transfer means can be between 1 minute and 10 hours, 100 and 450 ° C.

After a given time, the reinforcement is moved by moving means to the second plate, on which it rests, always by gravity. The movement can be continuous or discontinuous. Here, the heat transfer takes place with the fluid 303 in the second plate. Alternatively, the setting in motion of the reinforcement can be carried out using a pusher, a screw endless or gravity. The heat exchanger can take many forms. For example, in the case of stacked circular plates, scrapers are present along a central axis to advance the reinforcement along the plate. In each plate is an outlet, allowing the fall of the reinforcement on a plate at a lower height and which is at a different temperature. In the case of rectangular plates, which can be slightly inclined, scrapers are present on each plate allowing the progression of the reinforcement. Once at the end of the plate, the reinforcement passes over another plate while the scrapers pass under the plate to make a complete turn of the plate. In the case of using an extruder / conveyor, the extruder / conveyor may comprise independently heated sections, and therefore, at the end of the extruder / conveyor, conversely the sections may be independently cooled.

Other plates can thus be used successively for the same batch of reinforcements, in order to achieve a heat transfer, successively, to respective decreasing thermal levels. Advantageously, the fluid at the outlet of the first plate 301a has a temperature Tls, the fluid at the outlet of the second plate 301b has a temperature T2s, the temperatures Tls and T2s being different. Thus, thanks to the plate-type heat exchanger, it is possible to recover fluids at the outlet of the plates having different temperatures. It can also be the same fluid that passes countercurrently from one plate to another. Depending on the desired use for the heated fluid that is recovered in the application under consideration, it is possible to choose the inlet temperature of the fluid to obtain a temperature output of a certain order, depending on the temperature of the reinforcements deposited on the plate, the time of parking reinforcements on the plate, and the thermal properties of the latter. In one embodiment, the heat transfer means, for example the first heat transfer means, is adapted to cause the fibrous reinforcement to move during the heat transfer. In order to minimize the effects of the displacement of the reinforcement on the heat transfer means, a protective agent may be added to the reinforcement. Advantageously, the protective agent also makes it possible to promote the exchange of heat between the reinforcement and the heat transfer means.

A second embodiment of the recycling method, in the form of a step diagram, will now be presented. Referring to Figure 4, the article to be recycled from household waste is sorted in a step 410. Then, in a step 420, the article comprising a composite material is milled to produce particles of about 20 mm. In a step 110, the ground particles are introduced into a pyrolysis reactor using a dosing module, with a flow rate of 50 kg / h. The pyrolysis reactor is heated to a temperature between 300 ° C and 550 ° C, in a step 120. Under the effect of heat, the polymer matrix is depolymerized to give a melt mixture and a solid comprising the reinforcement. The reinforcement is separated from the melt mixture in a step 130, using a separating means. In a step 140, the reinforcement having stored heat is placed in a plate-type heat exchanger so that the stored heat is recovered. The heat recovered can be used in a step 430 of preheating the article after grinding.

According to a variant, the recycling process comprises a step in which the reinforcement is brought into contact with a first heat transfer means, and then the reinforcement is set in motion and moved to a second means for transferring heat. This may, for example, make it possible to recover additional heat after the recovery of a first quantity of heat by contacting the reinforcement (eg fiber reinforcement) with the first heat exchanger. Thus, several means of Transfers can be used to optimize heat recovery.

It should be noted that the energy recovered according to the process varies with the fiber content of the material and the conversion rate of the polymer. An illustration of this feature is shown in Table 1.

[0099] Table 1

Thus, the improved energy balance recycling method is particularly well suited for energy recovery if the composite material comprises more than 70% of fiber and / or if the process does not allow more than 70% conversion of the energy. polymer. Indeed, especially when under these conditions the composite material comprises more than 70% of fiber and the process allows less than 70% conversion of the polymer, then more than 40% of the energy required is recoverable.

The process is particularly advantageous for the recycling of composite material with heat recovery for a fiber percentage greater than 40% more than 10% of the energy required is recoverable regardless of the conversion rate.

Finally, the overall energy balance can be improved for example in the case of a low fiber ratio and a high conversion rate by recovering the total or partial combustion energy of the polymer which has not been converted and the combustion energy of the impurities separated from the depolymerized monomer. By conversion / combustion / partial oxidation of the polymer is understood to mean both a conversion which is not total, involving a polymer residue, and an oxidation which gives products other than CO2, and for example CO, acid and aldehydes light, hydrocarbons.

Thus, the present invention provides a simple and effective solution for depolymerizing a polymer constituting a composite material article, to improve the energy balance and in particular to recover the amount of heat absorbed by the fibrous material, solid, not depolymerizable. The method enables recycling of articles comprising a composite material whose carbon footprint is reduced and is therefore more environmentally friendly.

Claims

1. A method of recycling an article comprising a composite material, said composite material comprising a polymer matrix and a reinforcement, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

introduction (110) of the article into a reactor adapted for heating the article,

heating (120) the article in the reactor at a given temperature, in order to destructure the polymer matrix,

separating (130) the reinforcement of the unstructured polymer matrix, and

contacting (140) the reinforcement with a first heat transfer means in order to recover heat.

2. Recycling process according to claim 1, characterized in that the introduction of the article into the reactor is carried out by means of a worm, a conveyor belt, a hopper or a dosing module.

3. Recycling process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the article is heated to a temperature between 200 ° C and 1500 ° C.

4. recycling process according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the separation of the reinforcement is carried out by at least one of the following processes: centrifugation, dewatering, spinning, pressing, filtering, sieving and / or cycloning.

5. recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first heat transfer means is a direct contact heat exchanger between the reinforcement and a heat transfer fluid.

6. Recycling process according to claim 5, characterized in that the first heat transfer means is a device for immersing in the heat transfer fluid or spraying the heat transfer fluid.

7. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first heat transfer means is a heat exchanger indirect contact between the reinforcement and a heat transfer fluid.

8. recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a protective agent is added to the reinforcement.

9. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the recovered heat is used in the article recycling process in addition to a heat input by an external heat source.

10. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the recovered heat is used to preheat the article before its introduction into the reactor.

11. Recycling method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises a step of contacting the reinforcement with a second heat transfer means to recover additional heat, after heat recovery by contacting the reinforcement with the first heat transfer means.

12. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the destructuring of the composite material comprising a polymer matrix and a reinforcement is produced by methods selected from pyrolysis, high temperature pyrolysis, fluidized bed reactor heat treatment, extruder or conveyor heat treatment, rotary kiln heat treatment, mechanically stirred bed pyrolysis, bath pyrolysis of molten salts or the depolymerization by solvolysis including a rise in temperature.

13. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the polymer matrix is a matrix of thermosetting polymer or thermoplastic polymer.

14. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the polymer matrix is chosen from a homo- and copolymer of olefins such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, styrene-styrene copolymers. butadiene-alkyl methacrylate (or SBM); polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene and polybutylene; acrylic homo- and copolymers and alkyl polymethacrylates such as poly (methyl methacrylate); homo- and copolyamides; polycarbonates; polyesters including poly (ethylene terephthalate) and poly (butylene terephthalate); polyethers such as polyphenylene ether, polyoxymethylene, polyethylene oxide or polyethylene glycol and polyoxypropylene; polystyrene; copolymers of styrene and maleic anhydride; polyvinyl chloride

; fluorinated polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene tetrafluoride and polychlorotrifluoroethylene; natural or synthetic rubbers; thermoplastic polyurethanes; polyaryl ether ketones (PAEK) such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyether ketone ketone (PEKK); polyetherimide; polysulfone poly (phenylene sulfide); acetate of cellulose; poly (vinyl acetate); or a mixture of two or more of these polymers.

15. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the polymer matrix comprises polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

16. Recycling process according to any one of the claims

1 to 15, characterized in that a part of the destructured matrix is reintroduced into the reactor after separation from the reinforcement.

17. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the composite contains more than 40% by weight of reinforcement.

18. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the composite contains more than 70% by weight of reinforcement.

19. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the recovered heat is recovered at one or more thermal levels.

20. Recycling process according to any one of the claims

1 to 19, characterized in that the recycling method of the article comprises a preliminary sorting step, before the implementation of the method.

21. recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the introduction of the article into the reactor is made with a feed rate of the reactor article to be recycled between 10 kg / h and 2000 kg / h.

22. Recycling process according to any one of the claims

1 to 19, characterized in that the recycling method of the article comprises a grinding step of the article.

23. Recycling process according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the recycling process comprises a preheating step of the article to be recycled.

24. A system for recycling an article comprising a composite material comprising a polymer matrix and a reinforcement, said system being characterized in that it comprises:

a means for conveying said article,

a first heat transfer means adapted to recover heat from the reinforcement.

25. Recycling system according to claim 24, characterized in that it comprises a second heat transfer means adapted to recover additional heat from the reinforcement.

26. Recycling system according to claim 24, characterized in that the separation means being in one of the following forms: a centrifuge, a dewatering means, a dewatering means, a pressing means, a filter , a sieve and / or a cyclone.