PET plastic upcycling into clean H2 and valuable chemicals

Reference number 11363

Sectors: Chemical Engineering, Chemicals, Engineering, Sustainability

Industries: Chemicals

A technology that transforms plastic waste into green H2 and high value, sustainable chemicals at low cost.

Proposed use

This novel technology can upcycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste into high-quality building block terephthalic acid (TPA) while co-generating green hydrogen. The technology comprises the prototype and process to achieve full conversion of plastic waste with > 95% yield to terephthalic acid, and generates hydrogen with 50% less electricity consumption than the state-of-the-art water electrolyser technology. The high purity terephthalic acid can be reused to produce virgin PET plastic, and the clean H2 can be used as reactant or high energy carrier in chemical industry to help in decarbonising the sector.

Problem addressed

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the form of beverage bottles is the most recycled plastic in the world. Yet the majority of the PET produced annually currently ends up in landfills or incineration facilities. Even for the small fractions that have been recycled, PET degrades over time through standard recycling protocols (melting and reshaping), and thus, recycled PET is normally unsuitable for producing food-grade containers due to leaching of degradation compounds.

This technology is designed to recycle PET back to its original quality, by producing high purity chemicals that can be directly reused to make virgin PET. This enables closing the PET → TPA → PET usage loop, and therefore will be extremely appealing for major food grade PET manufacturers and brand-owners. At the same time, the co-produced H2 will contribute towards the decarbonisation of the chemical sector by bringing clean and low-cost green H2 in as the primary energy source carrier and feedstock, to produce chemicals such as ammonia, methanol, etc.

Technology overview

A process diagram showing the proposed novel PET upcycling process. The process is described in detail below.

Figure 1: novel PET upcycling process

The technology introduces a new process to recycle PET into its main building blocks terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG), with subsequent electrolytic conversion of EG into clean H2. It contains three main steps: 1. Mechanochemical depolymerisation of PET; 2. Separation of TPA and 3. Electrolysis of EG, with each step being highly scalable. With just mechanical energy coupled with electrodialysis separation, we are able to produce ultra-pure TPA that can be re-polymerised to produce food packaging-grade PET. The EG electrolysis step resembles water electrolysis, with a much lower thermodynamic energy requirement. Substituting the challenging water oxidation (> 1.23 VRHE) with the partial oxidation of EG (< 1 VRHE) saves more than 50% electricity for H2 production.

Intellectual property information

GB Priority Application (Number: 2305730.0)

Contact us about this technology


Contact

Dr Valeska Gonzalez

Industry Partnerships and Commercialisation Executive, Engineering

Dr Valeska Gonzalez is Industry Partnerships and Commercialisation Executive for the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London

Contact Valeska

+44 (0)20 7594 6893

[email protected]

Related technologies

A method to manufacture porous metal mats for catalysis and energy applications

A method to manufacture porous metal mats for catalysis and energy applications

A novel method to fabricate porous metal mats with high porosity, variable/controllable thicknesses, high surface area and good mechanical strength Find out more

A novel dry electrode manufacturing technology

A novel dry electrode manufacturing technology

A binder-less, fully dry, room temperature electrode manufacturing technology  — a sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient alternative. Find out more

A real-time fluorescence probe for Heme Oxygenase activity

A real-time fluorescence probe for Heme Oxygenase activity

Novel heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) probe compositions, and methods covering easy-to-use and rapid readouts of cell protection in cardiovascular diseases, hemorrhage and red cell disorders. Find out more

Sign up for updates

Sign up for monthly technology alerts via email, and find other ways to connect with us.

Loading...