JP2001139721A - Device for dissolving foamed styrenic resin and device for recycling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foamed styrenic resin-dissolving device, a foamed styrenic resin-recycling device and a foamed styrenic resin-dissolving treatment method which enable the extremely efficient treatment of the foamed styrenic resin. SOLUTION: A foamed styrenic resin-dissolving agent comprising isopropyl bromide and/or normal propyl bromide is stored in the bottom portion of a dissolution tank 6. The stored liquid 4 is heated and evaporated with a heater 8. The produced vapor of the dissolving agent 4 is brought into contact with foamed styrenic resin 10 on the upper net rack 12 of the dissolving tank 6 to produce polystyrene. The produced polystyrene is dropped together with the dissolving agent and recovered in the stored liquid 4 in the bottom portion of the dissolving tank 6. The recovered dissolving agent is again heated and evaporated to bring into contact with the foamed styrenic resin 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for recovering and recycling styrofoam (also referred to as expanded polystyrene), and more particularly to a dissolving apparatus for dissolving styrofoam using a solvent to reduce its volume and a recycling apparatus having the same. And a dissolving method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Styrofoam is produced using a styrene resin as a main raw material, and is extremely inexpensive, easy to mold, and excellent in shock absorbing properties. It is still used in large quantities for various purposes such as packaging materials and molding materials for food trays.

[0003] However, the styrofoam that has been used has been generated as a large amount of refuse, which has caused environmental problems and refuse problems. In other words, styrofoam remains semi-permanently in the soil, even if it is to be disposed of by landfill, without being easily decomposed. In addition, a large amount of heat is generated in incineration, which causes another new problem such as damaging the incinerator.

Therefore, recently, from the viewpoint of environmental protection, attempts have been made to collect and recycle styrofoam instead of disposing them. As one of the methods, there is a method in which styrene foam is thermally decomposed into a low-molecular-weight oil and used as a fuel. However, this method does not regenerate the recovered Styrofoam as the original Styrofoam, but only reuses it in another form such as fuel, and is not a technique for regenerating the Styrofoam to its original state.

On the other hand, there is a technique for dissolving styrofoam with a solvent and regenerating and recycling the original styrofoam again. This technique is a technique of dissolving styrofoam with a solvent to reduce the volume of styrofoam and take it out as polystyrene as a raw material. The removed polystyrene can be regenerated as the original polystyrene foam.

[0006]

Solvents for dissolving styrofoam are currently well known as limonene and methylene chloride. Limonene is a natural material and has an excellent property of being environmentally friendly and having no effect on the human body. However, limonene was flammable and was classified as dangerous, and was difficult to handle. In addition, although methylene chloride is not flammable and does not correspond to dangerous substances, it has a problem that it is highly toxic and harms the human body. In addition, since the boiling point is low and it is easy to volatilize, care must be taken to prevent this from being released into the air, such as by forming a water film on the liquid surface of the solvent and paying attention to the tightness of the storage space and equipment. there were.

Under these circumstances, recently, isopropyl bromide (hereinafter, also referred to as IPB) has newly appeared.
And normal propyl bromide (hereinafter also referred to as NPB) (see JP-A-11-302441).
These IPB and NPB have little effect on global warming and ozone layer depletion, and are clean, safe substances with little toxicity. In addition, these solvents have a useful property that they are not flammable and do not correspond to dangerous substances. For this reason, it has a great merit that it is very easy to handle during management or use, and has excellent styrene foam dissolving performance that is not inferior to that of limonene or methylene chloride. If such a solvent is used, it is possible to realize a polystyrene foam dissolving apparatus, a polystyrene foam recycling apparatus, and a polystyrene foam dissolving method which have never been achieved before.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a styrene foam dissolving apparatus, a styrene foam recycling apparatus, and a styrofoam recycling apparatus utilizing the characteristics of a styrene foam dissolving agent comprising isopropyl bromide and / or normal propyl bromide. It is to provide a dissolution method.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a styrene foam dissolving apparatus according to the present invention, comprising: a dissolving tank for storing a styrene foam dissolving agent comprising isopropyl bromide and / or normal propyl bromide; Heating means for heating the storage liquid of the agent to generate the evaporation of the dissolving agent, and a receiving portion for holding the expanded polystyrene in the upper portion in the dissolution tank,
The produced evaporation and the styrene foam are brought into contact with each other to dissolve the styrene foam, and the polystyrene produced thereby is recovered in the storage solution together with the styrene foam dissolving agent.

The most important feature of this apparatus is that the styrofoam dissolving agent is heated to generate steam, and the steam is brought into contact with the styrofoam to perform the melting process. Dissolving the polystyrene foam with steam allows the polystyrene foam dissolving agent to be brought into contact with the polystyrene foam in a highly pure and concentrated state containing almost no impurities, and the dissolution processing can be advanced very efficiently. In addition, even if the dissolving treatment proceeds, since only the solvent component can be evaporated from the recovered styrofoam dissolving agent and brought into contact with the styrofoam again in the same state, the dissolving ability may decrease even if the dissolving treatment proceeds. Absent.

The reason why styrofoam can be dissolved with steam is that isopropyl bromide (also known as isopropyl bromide or 2-bromopropane, hereinafter also referred to as IPB) and / or normal propyl which constitute the styrofoam dissolving agent. Bromide (alias: n-
This is because propyl bromide or 1-bromopropane (hereinafter also referred to as NPB) has excellent properties suitable for this. That is, since IPB and NPB are not flammable and do not correspond to dangerous substances and have low toxicity, even if they are evaporated, they do not adversely affect the human body or form a flammable and dangerous atmosphere. Moreover, these I
Since PB and NPB have relatively low boiling points (IPB has a boiling point of about 60 ° C. and NPB has a boiling point of about 70 ° C.), they can generate steam at low temperatures, do not require much heat energy, and are formed by melting. Less thermal decomposition of the polystyrene. These conditions are referred to as IPB and N
By satisfying the PB, melting by steam can be easily realized. Solvents used in conventional polystyrene dissolving agents are flammable or toxic and cannot be employed.

Further, the styrofoam melting apparatus according to the present invention has the following advantages. (1) By holding the Styrofoam above the storage solution of the Styrofoam dissolving agent, the generated vapor of the dissolving agent and Styrofoam can be easily brought into contact. (2) The polystyrene generated by the dissolution treatment can be easily collected together with the solubilizer in the storage solution. (3) Untreated polystyrene foam can be distinguished from polystyrene produced by the treatment. In addition, the dissolution treatment can be continued until the polystyrene dissolution allowable concentration of the styrene foam dissolving agent reaches the limit.

Further, in this styrofoam melting apparatus, it is preferable that the following items (A) to (C) are appropriately satisfied. (A) The receiving portion is formed of a net material. In this case, the vapor of the rising Styrofoam dissolving agent can be transmitted through the mesh of the net material, and can be efficiently contacted with the Styrofoam of the receiving portion. Further, the polystyrene and the dissolving agent generated by being dissolved by the vapor can be collected by dropping through the mesh of the mesh material of the receiving portion. (B) A cooling means for cooling and liquefying the vapor of the styrene foam dissolving agent is provided in an upper part of the dissolving tank. By providing this means, the vapor of the dissolving agent which is going to rise can be liquefied and stopped. The liquefied dissolving agent can be collected at the bottom of the dissolving tank. (C) a gas blowing means for blowing an inert gas into the stored liquid. By blowing an inert gas into the stored liquid, the recovered polystyrene can be prevented from being oxidized. It is possible to prevent a decrease in the reproduction quality of the expanded polystyrene.

[0014] The styrofoam recycling apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to such a dissolving apparatus, obtains the stored liquid from the styrofoam dissolving apparatus, and heats the stored liquid to obtain a component of the solubilizer contained therein. And an evaporative separation device for separating polystyrene and polystyrene. Polystyrene can be removed from the treated liquid obtained from the dissolution apparatus. The removed polystyrene can be reused as a raw material for styrofoam.

Here, if a gas supply means for blowing an inert gas into a space where the components of the dissolving agent evaporate by heating the evaporating / separating device is provided, the oxidation of polystyrene can be prevented as described above. As a result, a decrease in reproduction quality can be prevented.

In the method for dissolving styrofoam according to the present invention, a styrofoam dissolving agent composed of isopropyl bromide and / or normal propyl bromide is heated, and the generated steam is brought into contact with the styrofoam to dissolve the styrofoam. . Also,
The polystyrene produced by the dissolving treatment is collected together with the polystyrene foam dissolving agent, and the polystyrene is heated again to generate the vapor, which is brought into contact with the polystyrene foam. Further, the dissolution treatment is performed under an inert gas atmosphere.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS === Styrofoam melting device =
== FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a polystyrene foam melting apparatus according to the present invention. The styrofoam dissolving apparatus 2 includes a dissolving tank 6 having a styrofoam dissolving agent 4 made of isopropyl bromide (IPB) and / or normal propyl bromide (NPB) at the bottom.
And a heating device 8 for heating the stored liquid 4, and a net shelf 12 as a receiving portion for supporting the polystyrene foam 10 above the dissolving tank 6.

The polystyrene foam dissolving agent contains at least one solvent selected from isopropyl bromide (IPB) and normal propyl bromide (NPB). Of course, both IPB and NPB may be blended. In addition, this solution contains these IPs.
To prevent the reaction of B and / or NPB with metals, especially aluminum and its alloys, nitroalkanes,
One or more substances selected from ethers, epoxides, and amines may be added. In addition to this, a fragrance such as d-limonene is added to the solution to reduce the unpleasant odor emitted from these solvents, and other solvents may be mixed. In addition,
In the following embodiment, the styrene foam dissolving agent is NPB
Will be described.

The dissolving tank 6 is a closed cylindrical container having a bottom and an open top, and a crushing device 14 for crushing the supplied polystyrene foam is provided at the opening. The crushing device 14 crushes styrofoam into a suitable size that is easy to dissolve, and the crushed styrofoam is dropped onto the net shelf 12.

The heating device 8 is provided so as to surround the lower portion of the melting tank 6 outside. The heating device 8 heats the stored liquid 4 in the dissolving tank 6 by taking in steam supplied from the outside as a heat medium into a space 8a defined by surrounding the outside of the lower side of the dissolving tank. The heating temperature is set slightly higher than the boiling point of the polystyrene foam dissolving agent. For example, when the polystyrene foam dissolving agent is made of IPB, 70 to 7
The temperature is set to about 5 ° C., and to about 80 ° C. to 85 ° C. when NPB is used. The heated storage liquid 4 evaporates and becomes vapor 16 of the dissolving agent, and the vapor 16 rises upward in the dissolution tank 6.

The net shelf 12 is provided with a net material extending horizontally in the upper part of the melting tank 6 and receives styrofoam dropped from the crushing device 14. The styrofoam 10 is placed on a net shelf 12 and floats in the air at a predetermined distance from the liquid level of the stored liquid 4. The solubilizer vapor 16 rising from below penetrates the mesh of the mesh shelf 12 and comes into contact with the polystyrene foam 10 thereon. Styrofoam 10 in contact with steam 16 gradually dissolves from the outer surface thereof and is converted into polystyrene which is a raw material of the styrofoam. The converted polystyrene, which is dissolved in the styrene foam dissolving agent, passes through the net shelf 12 and drops downward. Here, foreign substances such as a gum tape, a cellophane tape, and a label attached to the outer surface of the polystyrene foam remain on the net shelf 12 without passing through the mesh of the net shelf 12.

The polystyrene dropped from the net shelf 12 is collected in the storage solution 4 together with the polystyrene foam dissolving agent. Here, the recovered polystyrene and polystyrene foam dissolving agent are mixed with the stored liquid and heated. The Styrofoam dissolving agent is generated again as an evaporation and used for the dissolving process of the Styrofoam 10. On the other hand, the polystyrene remains dissolved in the liquid of the storage liquid 4 and is sequentially accumulated in the liquid of the storage liquid 4 as the dissolution process proceeds.

Here, a gas feed pipe 17 is provided at the bottom of the dissolution tank to prevent polystyrene in the stored liquid from being thermally decomposed and combined with oxygen in the air to be oxidized. The gas supply pipe 17 blows an inert gas such as nitrogen gas supplied from the outside into the four stored liquids. Inert gas bubbles are formed in the liquid of the storage liquid 4, and the air bubbles prevent oxidation of polystyrene contained in the storage liquid and prevent quality deterioration. The bubbles also have the effect of stirring the stored liquid 4 and promoting the volatilization of the stored liquid 4. In the present embodiment, an inert gas is also supplied to the space above the dissolving tank 6 so that the expanded polystyrene 10
The dissolution treatment is performed in an inert gas atmosphere in order to also prevent the oxidation of the compound.

Further, a stirrer 18 is provided at the bottom of the dissolving tank 6. By the stirrer 18, the temperature of the storage liquid 4 is made uniform and the polystyrene is dispersed.

Further, a heat exchange pipe 20 of a cooling device is spirally disposed along the inner wall of the dissolving tank 6 above the dissolving tank 6, and the heat exchange pipe 20 for the dissolving agent which has risen to the upper part of the dissolving tank 6. The vapor is cooled and liquefied. This prevents the vapor of the dissolving agent from escaping upward. The liquefied polystyrene foam dissolving agent is dropped and collected in the storage liquid 4 at the bottom of the dissolving tank 6.

In order to prevent water droplets and the like adhering to the surface of the heat exchange pipe 20 due to cooling from mixing with the stored liquid 4 at the bottom of the dissolution tank 6, the heat exchange pipe 2
The water is collected in the water receiving groove 22 arranged along the lower side of the zero. Since the collected water droplets and the like also contain the components of the styrofoam solution, the solubilizer components and water are separated by the water separator 24, and the obtained solubilizer component is used again for dissolving the styrofoam.

A shower nozzle 26 for dispersing a styrofoam solution is installed in the upper part of the dissolving tank 6.
A styrofoam solution is sprayed on the styrofoam 10 from above to accelerate the dissolving process of the styrofoam 10.

When the dissolving process proceeds and the concentration of dissolved polystyrene in the storage liquid 4 increases, the storage liquid 4 becomes slightly viscous and gradually increases, and the temperature of the storage liquid 4 also slightly increases. This is considered to be due to the fact that the styrene foam dissolving agent became difficult to evaporate. At this time, the dissolved concentration of polystyrene is about 40% to 50%. Even if the dissolving treatment is further continued, the polystyrene cannot be dissolved much in the stored liquid, and the work becomes difficult and the work efficiency decreases.

Therefore, the dissolving process is temporarily interrupted, the discharge valve 28 provided at the bottom of the dissolving tank 6 is opened, and the stored liquid 4 in the dissolving tank 6 is discharged through a discharge system 29 connected to the bottom of the dissolving tank 6.
Extract. The withdrawn liquid is sent as a processed liquid to the next step of separating the polystyrene and the polystyrene foam dissolving agent. Here, the treated liquid is sent while being kept at about 70 to 75 ° C. A new styrofoam solution is again injected into the dissolving tank 6 from which the treated solution has been extracted, and the dissolution process is restarted. Here, since the untreated Styrofoam 10 is separated from the treated storage solution 4, there is no concern that the untreated Styrofoam 10 is sent to the next step together with the treated storage solution 4.

=== Styrofoam Recycling Apparatus ==
= FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a styrofoam recycling device provided with such a styrofoam melting device. The recycling apparatus includes the above-mentioned styrofoam dissolution apparatus 2, a storage tank 30 for storing the processed liquid extracted from the apparatus 2, and a processed liquid obtained from the storage tank 30 and included in the processed liquid. An evaporative separation device 32 is provided for separating the components of the styrene foam dissolving agent and polystyrene.

The treated liquid withdrawn from the dissolving apparatus 2 is
It is sent to the storage tank 30 by a pump through a filter provided in the discharge system 29. In the storage tank 30, the sent processed liquid is stored while keeping the temperature at about 70 to 80 ° C. This is because if the temperature of the treated liquid is low, the viscosity of the treated liquid is increased, the fluidity is deteriorated, and it becomes difficult to feed the treated liquid. The treated liquid in the storage tank 30 is stored in the tank 3
From 0, they are sequentially supplied to the evaporative separation device 32.

The evaporative separation device 32 introduces the treated liquid into a hollow cylindrical jacket 34. Inside the jacket 34, a rotating blade 3 of a stirrer 35 rotating at a high speed is provided.
The treated liquid introduced is formed into droplets and blown outward from the center by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotary wings 36. The blown treated liquid adheres to the inner surface of the jacket 34. The inner surface of the jacket 34 is heated by a heating device 38 outside the jacket.
Heated to about 50 to 170 ° C. (a temperature at which polystyrene is not thermally decomposed), the treated liquid adhering to its surface is immediately evaporated and vaporized, and the solvent component of the styrene foam dissolving agent contained in the treated liquid, particularly IPB Alternatively, NPB is removed by evaporation. A solid material of polystyrene remains on the inner surface of the jacket 34. The remaining solid polystyrene is scraped off by a cutting blade 39 formed at the tip of a rotary blade 36 of a stirrer 35 to form small or small pieces into a jacket 34.
Fall to the inner bottom. Here, in the jacket 34,
Since an inert gas such as nitrogen gas is blown from the outside through the gas supply pipe 40, an inert gas atmosphere is formed inside the jacket 34, and the polystyrene attached to the inner surface is prevented from being oxidized.

On the other hand, the solvent component of the evaporated polystyrene dissolving agent is recovered by the solvent recovery device 42. The solvent recovery device 42 stores a vacuum pump 43 for extracting the solvent component from the inside of the jacket 34, a condenser (concentrator) 44 for cooling and liquefying the extracted solvent component, and stores the liquefied solvent component. It consists of two recovery tanks 46. The solvent component of the styrene foam dissolving agent evaporated inside the jacket 34 is, for example, vacuum 3
At a pressure of about 0 to 50 Torr, the condenser 4
4, cooled and liquefied by the condenser 44, and stored in the recovery tank 46. The solvent component of the styrofoam dissolving agent stored here is again used as a styrofoam dissolving agent in the dissolving process of styrofoam.

The small or small pieces of polystyrene that have fallen to the bottom of the jacket 34 are collected into a polystyrene storage tank 48 connected to the bottom of the jacket 34. The recovered polystyrene flakes or strips 49 are placed in a stirrer 5
Store at 0 with stirring. At this time, the small pieces or small pieces 49 of polystyrene are heated at a temperature of about 150 to 170 ° C. by a heating device 51 provided outside the polystyrene storage tank 48. This is because small or small pieces of polystyrene accumulated in the polystyrene storage tank 48 contain residual components (about 5 to 10%) of the styrene foam dissolving agent that could not be separated and removed by the evaporative separation device. By heating a small piece or small piece of polystyrene at the above-mentioned temperature, the residual solvent is removed while storing the same.
Further, the gas supply pipe 4 is provided in the polystyrene storage tank 48.
An inert gas such as nitrogen gas is supplied through 7 to prevent oxidation of polystyrene. The solvent component of the styrofoam dissolving agent evaporated by the heating is extracted from the upper part of the polystyrene storage tank 48 by the vacuum pump 43, cooled and liquefied by the condenser 44, and recovered in the recovery tank 4.
Collect in 6.

The polystyrene 4 accumulated in the storage tank 48
9 is appropriately sent to the flaker 52 through the delivery device 51 from the bottom of the storage tank 48. In the breaker 52, the fed small or small polystyrene 49 is put between the two rollers 53, and the small or small polystyrene 29 is fed into a predetermined shape, for example, a granule or a plate. Condensed and molded into a shape. On the surface of the roller 53, irregularities (not shown) for forming the polystyrene 49 are formed.

In this case, the roller surface has a temperature of 150.
Heated to about 170 ° C and polystyrene 49
To remove the residual components of the polystyrene foam dissolving agent contained in. The polystyrene molded body molded here is shipped to a styrofoam recycling factory or the like after being packed in a bag.

=== Another Embodiment 1 === FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the evaporative separation device. The evaporator / separator 32 introduces the processed liquid that has been fed into the spirally formed flexible tube 60,
The treated liquid is heated inside 0, and the solvent component of the styrene foam dissolving agent contained therein is evaporated to separate it from polystyrene. The amount of the treated liquid introduced into the flexible tube 60 is adjusted by a control valve 62 provided in the discharge system 29 from the storage tank 30. A polystyrene storage tank 48 for collecting polystyrene generated by the evaporative separation device 32 is connected to a lower portion of the evaporative separation device 32. The polystyrene storage tank 48 is connected to the above-described condenser and vacuum pump for sucking the solvent component of the evaporated styrene foam dissolving agent. The vacuum pump suctions at a degree of vacuum of 30 to 50 Torr, and the inside of the polystyrene storage tank 48 is set to a negative pressure state.

When the treated liquid is introduced into the flexible tube by opening the control valve, the treated liquid is sucked into the polystyrene storage tank 48 one after another through the flexible tube. The inner surface of the torsion tube 60 is heated to 150 ° C. to 170 ° C. by an outer heater (not shown), so that the treated liquid is contained in the torso tube 60 before reaching the outlet. The solvent component of the styrene foam dissolving agent is evaporated. By the time the polystyrene reaches the vicinity of the exit of the flexible tube 60, the polystyrene is solidified, becomes a fine thread, a small piece, or a small piece and is discharged from the flexible tube outlet. The amount of the treated liquid introduced is such that the treated liquid
It is appropriately adjusted by the control valve 62 so as to become solid polystyrene before reaching the outlet. At this time, the flexible tube 60
An inert gas such as nitrogen gas is blown into the inside through the gas supply pipe 61 to prevent the polystyrene from being heated and oxidized in the flexible pipe 60.

The formed polystyrene is collected and stored in the polystyrene storage tank 48 as it is. Then, it is gradually sent from the bottom of the polystyrene storage tank 48 to the flaker. On the other hand, the solvent component of the evaporated styrene foam dissolving agent is sucked out by a vacuum pump, cooled and liquefied by a condenser, and recovered in the recovery tank as described above.

=== Another Embodiment 2 === A styrene foam dissolving apparatus, a recycling apparatus and a dissolving method according to the present invention may be implemented as follows. (1) The heating device for the melting tank may use another heat medium such as oil in addition to the steam of the above embodiment. (2) The receiving portion does not need to be a net shelf as described in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may hold styrofoam even if no perforation hole is formed, in addition to a net made of a net or a basket. May be a simple shelf or tray. (3) In the styrene foam recycling apparatus, a storage tank for storing the processed liquid may or may not be provided. (4) In the styrene foam recycling apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the evaporative separation apparatus described in the above embodiment,
Other types of evaporative separation devices may be provided.

[0041]

As described above, the apparatus for dissolving styrofoam according to the present invention has the following functions and effects. (1) Since the styrofoam is dissolved by bringing the vapor generated by heating the styrofoam dissolving agent into contact with the styrofoam, the dissolving agent can be brought into contact with the styrofoam in the highest purity state without any impurities. It can be implemented efficiently. Moreover, even if the dissolution treatment proceeds, only the dissolving agent component evaporates,
The purity does not decrease, and there is no concern that the dissolving ability is reduced as compared with the case of immersion treatment (claim 1). (2) By forming the receiving portion with a net material, the vapor of the styrofoam dissolving agent can be brought into contact with the styrofoam through the mesh of the net material, and the dissolving treatment can be performed very efficiently. Furthermore, the polystyrene and the dissolving agent generated by the dissolution treatment can be dropped through the mesh of the net material and collected in the storage liquid (claim 2). (3) By providing a cooling means for cooling and liquefying the vapor of the styrene foam dissolving agent in an upper part of the dissolving tank, it is possible to liquefy the vapor of the dissolving agent and stop it. The liquefied dissolving agent can be dropped and collected. (Claim 3). (4) By blowing an inert gas into the storage liquid, the recovered polystyrene can be prevented from being oxidized, and the regeneration quality of the expanded polystyrene can be prevented from being lowered (claim 4).

The styrofoam recycling apparatus according to the present invention has the following functions and effects. (5) The storage liquid obtained from the styrene foam dissolving device is heated by an evaporative separation device, and steamed to separate the components of the dissolving agent and polystyrene contained therein to obtain polystyrene as a starting material of styrene foam. Finally can be taken out. The polystyrene taken out can be reused again as a material for forming polystyrene foam (claim 5). (6) Further, by blowing an inert gas into a space where the components of the solubilizer evaporate by heating the evaporative separation device, the oxidation of polystyrene can be prevented as described above, and the deterioration of the reproduction quality can be prevented. It can be prevented (claim 6).

The method for dissolving styrofoam according to the present invention has the following effects. (7) As described above, the styrofoam dissolving agent composed of isopropyl bromide and / or normal propyl bromide is heated, and the generated steam is brought into contact with the styrofoam to dissolve the styrofoam, thereby almost eliminating impurities. The styrofoam dissolving agent in a form not containing the styrofoam can be brought into contact with styrofoam, and the dissolution treatment can be carried out efficiently (claim 7). (8) Further, the polystyrene produced by the dissolving treatment is recovered together with the polystyrene foam dissolving agent, and is then heated again to generate the vapor and contact the polystyrene foam so that the polystyrene foam dissolving agent is brought into contact with the polystyrene foam any number of times. And can be used for dissolution treatment. As compared with the case of the immersion treatment, the dissolving ability does not decrease and is very good (claim 8). (9) In addition, by performing the dissolution treatment in an inert gas atmosphere, oxidation of polystyrene can be prevented, and deterioration in reproduction quality can be prevented (claim 9).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing one embodiment of a polystyrene foam melting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an embodiment of a styrofoam recycling apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the evaporative separation device of the styrofoam recycling device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Styrofoam melting device 4 Reservoir 6 Dissolution tank 8 Heating device 10 Styrofoam 12 Net shelf 14 Crusher 16 Steam 18 Stirrer 20 Heat exchange pipe 22 Water receiving groove 24 Water separator 26 Shower nozzle 30 Storage tank 32 Evaporator 38 Heater 39 Cutting blade 44 Condenser 48 Polystyrene storage tank 51 Heating device 52 Flaker 53 Roller 60 Serpentine tube

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 11, 2000 (200.12.
11)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Patent application title: Styrofoam melting device and
Recycling equipment

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0009]

In the styrofoam dissolution apparatus of the present invention to achieve the SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above objects, and dissolving tank for storing a styrofoam dissolving agent consisting of isoproterenol pull bromide and / or normal propyl bromide, the melting tank Heating the stored solution of the dissolving agent stored in
Heating means and foaming above the stored liquid in the dissolving tank
A net shelf for holding styrene,
The vapor of the dissolving agent generated by the heating means is
It comes into contact with the Styrofoam from below through a mesh
In addition to dissolving the styrofoam,
The generated polystyrene and the solution are combined with the mesh
It is characterized in that it is dropped down through an eye and collected in the stored liquid .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, the styrofoam melting apparatus according to the present invention has the following advantages. (1) By holding the Styrofoam above the storage solution of the Styrofoam dissolving agent, the generated vapor of the dissolving agent and Styrofoam can be easily brought into contact. (2) The polystyrene generated by the dissolution treatment can be easily collected together with the solubilizer in the storage solution. (3) Untreated polystyrene foam can be distinguished from polystyrene produced by the treatment. In addition, the dissolution treatment can be continued until the polystyrene dissolution allowable concentration of the styrene foam dissolving agent reaches the limit. (4) The rising vapor of the dissolving agent is transmitted through the mesh
To contact the Styrofoam from below.
Can dissolve styrofoam efficiently
You. In addition, the polystyrene produced by this dissolution
The dissolving agent is dripped through a mesh of a net shelf to efficiently recover the solution.
Can be collected. (5) Gum tape or cellophane adhered to Styrofoam
Foreign substances such as tapes and labels do not pass through the mesh
To separate it from the treated styrofoam.
Can be

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In addition, this styrofoam melting apparatus is
The following items (A) or (B).
Is preferred. (A) Cooling means for cooling and liquefying the vapor of the styrene foam dissolving agent is provided above the net shelf . By providing this means, the vapor of the dissolving agent which is going to rise can be liquefied and stopped. The liquefied dissolving agent can be collected at the bottom of the dissolving tank. (B) a gas blowing means for blowing an inert gas into the stored liquid. By blowing an inert gas into the stored liquid, the recovered polystyrene can be prevented from being oxidized. It is possible to prevent a decrease in the reproduction quality of the expanded polystyrene.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0016

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0040

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

=== Another Embodiment 2 === A styrene foam dissolving apparatus, a recycling apparatus and a dissolving method according to the present invention may be implemented as follows. (1) The heating device for the melting tank may use another heat medium such as oil in addition to the steam of the above embodiment. (2) In the styrofoam recycling apparatus, a storage tank for storing the processed liquid may or may not be provided. (3) In the styrene foam recycling apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the evaporative separation apparatus described in the above embodiment,
Other types of evaporative separation devices may be provided.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0041

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0041]

As described above, the apparatus for dissolving styrofoam according to the present invention has the following functions and effects. (1) Since the styrofoam is dissolved by bringing the vapor generated by heating the styrofoam dissolving agent into contact with the styrofoam, the dissolving agent can be brought into contact with the styrofoam in the highest purity state without any impurities. It can be implemented efficiently. Moreover, even if the dissolution treatment proceeds, only the dissolving agent component evaporates,
The purity does not decrease, and there is no concern that the dissolving ability is reduced as compared with the case of immersion treatment. Furthermore, it has risen
Allow the vapor of the dissolving agent to pass through the mesh of the
Can be brought into contact with the
It can be dissolved efficiently and
The generated polystyrene and the dissolving agent are passed through a mesh
It can be collected efficiently by dropping. Also,
Gum tape and cellophane attached to styrofoam
Foreign matter such as labels and labels do not pass through the mesh of the
To prevent separation from the treated Styrofoam.
(Claim 1) . ( 2 ) By providing a cooling means for cooling and liquefying the vapor of the styrene foam dissolving agent above the net shelf, it is possible to liquefy the vapor of the dissolving agent and stop it.
The liquefied solubilizer can be dropped and collected ( claim 2 ). (3) during said reservoir solution by blowing an inert gas, it is possible to prevent oxidation of the recovered polystyrene, it is possible to prevent a decrease in foam reproduction quality (請
Claim 3 ).

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0042

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The styrofoam recycling apparatus according to the present invention has the following functions and effects. (4) The storage liquid obtained from the styrene foam dissolving device is heated by an evaporative separation device, and steamed to separate the components of the solubilizer and polystyrene contained therein, thereby obtaining polystyrene as a starting material of styrene foam. Finally can be taken out. The polystyrene taken out can be reused as a material for the production of polystyrene foam ( claim 4 ). (5) Further, by blowing an inert gas into a space where the components of the solubilizer evaporate by heating the evaporative separation device, the oxidation of polystyrene can be prevented as described above, and the deterioration of the reproduction quality can be prevented. Can be blocked ( claim
Item 5 ).

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0043

[Correction method] Deleted

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A dissolving tank for storing a styrene foam dissolving agent composed of isopropyl bromide and / or normal propyl bromide, heating means for heating a storage solution of the styrene foam dissolving agent to generate evaporation of the styrene foam dissolving agent, and styrene foam. A receiving portion for holding the upper part in the dissolving tank, and contact the generated evaporation and the styrene foam to dissolve the styrene foam, the resulting polystyrene together with the styrene foam dissolving agent. An apparatus for dissolving styrofoam, which is recovered in a stored liquid. 2. The apparatus for dissolving styrofoam according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is formed of a net material. 3. The apparatus for dissolving styrofoam according to claim 1, wherein a cooling means for cooling and liquefying the vapor of the styrofoam dissolving agent is provided in an upper part of the dissolving tank. 4. A gas blowing means for blowing an inert gas into the stored liquid.
The apparatus for dissolving styrofoam according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A styrofoam recycling apparatus provided with the styrofoam dissolving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage liquid is obtained from the styrofoam dissolving apparatus, and the stored liquid is heated to A styrofoam recycling apparatus, comprising an evaporative separation device for separating the components of the dissolving agent contained in the polystyrene from polystyrene. 6. The Styrofoam recycling apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising gas supply means for blowing an inert gas into a space where the components of the dissolving agent evaporate by heating the evaporative separation device. 7. Styrofoam dissolving treatment, characterized in that a styrofoam dissolving agent composed of isopropyl bromide and / or normal propyl bromide is heated, and steam generated thereby is brought into contact with styrofoam to dissolve the styrofoam. Method. 8. The polystyrene foam according to claim 7, wherein the polystyrene produced by the dissolving treatment is collected together with a polystyrene foam dissolving agent, and the polystyrene is heated again to generate the vapor and come into contact with the polystyrene foam. Dissolution treatment method. 9. The method for dissolving styrofoam according to claim 7, wherein the dissolving treatment is performed in an inert gas atmosphere.