26

 

Phenol Neutrals Production for Recycling Carbon/Epoxy Composites

 

DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-00ER86113

Amount:  $100,000

 

Small Business	Research Institution
Adherent Technologies, Inc.	National Renewable Energy Laboratory
9621 Camino del Sol, NE
Albuquerque, NM  87111-1522	1617 Cole Boulevard
Mr. Ronald Allred, Principal Investigator	Golden, CO  80401
Dr. Ronald E. Allred, Business Official
505-346-1685

 

The recycling of plastics and polymers produces significant energy and environmental benefits.  Unfortunately, carbon fiber-reinforced thermoset matrix composites are difficult to recycle due to the nature of the thermoset chemistry and the intimately bound carbon fibers.  A homogeneous catalytic process for recycling such materials has been developed and shown to generate virgin-like carbon fibers; however, a significant phenol-rich hydrocarbon waste stream also results from the depolymerization of the thermoset materials.  This project will develop technology for the economical extraction of valuable commodity chemicals from this phenol-rich hydrocarbon stream that would otherwise be incinerated or land filled.  Both the carbon fibers and commodity chemicals will be characterized and evaluated through the production of test specimens.  Phase I has three goals.  The first is to reclaim carbon fiber for subsequent testing in composites for strength, interfacial adhesion, rheological properties, conductivity, and ability to compound.  The second is to characterize the phenol-rich hydrocarbons generated from the recycling process and determine the best extraction/purification methods for converting the hydrocarbons into useful commodity chemicals.  The final goal is to evaluate the economics of the extraction process and to compare them with existing recycling processes. 

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  Four million pounds of carbon fiber/thermoset composites are landfilled each year because conventional recycling techniques cannot generate carbon fiber of sufficient quality for reuse.  A recycling process that produces marketable carbon fibers and phenols should reduce landfill use and reclaim valuable carbon fiber and commodity chemicals, leading to a reduction in petrochemical and energy needs.