Lubricating oil made from difficult to recycle plastic. Business idea
This chemical compound has too many applications to give up, but the world will breathe a sigh of relief if the new idea for recycling a known material works.
PVC, i.e. polyvinyl chloride, is cheap, durable and universal, but it poses serious threats to the environment and human health at every stage of its life cycle – from production to disposal. On the other hand, it is difficult to do without sewage pipes, gutters, ventilation systems, window frames, doors, window sills, finishing strips, floor coverings, wall panels, cable and wire insulation, syringes, prostheses, and toys.
Hardened polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is safe and non-toxic in everyday use, but its production and combustion involve the release of many dangerous substances, including vinyl chloride – a highly carcinogenic, toxic and extremely flammable substance.
Less problem with PVC. Plastic can finally be recycled
After many attempts, scientists from the United States have found an unusual solution for PVC – they can decompose used products in such a way that they do not produce new plastic, but high-quality base oil for engines, machines and turbines.
Initially, scientists at Virginia Tech, led by Guoliang Liu, wanted to create a new plastic from PVC, but repeated experiments resulted only in a soft and sticky, and therefore unusable, material. However, after many trials and changes in the chemical process, they managed to achieve something new.
They first remove chlorine from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), then break the long plastic chains into shorter molecules. The result is polyalphaolefins, which are found in, among others, high-performance engine and machine oils.
Moreover, the test results of the new substance were competitive with those currently used, assures a team of chemists from Virginia Tech.
Grease and oil go unnoticed. Economic viability
It so happens that engines, gearboxes, turbines and industrial machines practically could not function without greases or lubricating oils, so there will always be a demand for these substances. “Greases are the unsung heroes of the world,” says Guoliang Liu. “We often don’t notice them, but they do their job everywhere, remaining unnoticed.”
American scientists have now focused on reducing the use of chemicals and increasing the availability of oil production. Liu hopes to be able to produce the oil in larger quantities in the future and prove its economic viability.
