US 11,697,722 B2
System and process for recycling foam
Karen Lozano, Edinburg, TX (US); Luis Sosa, Edinburg, TX (US); Adonica De Los Santos, Edinburg, TX (US); Salomon Luna, Edinburg, TX (US); and Jared Solis, Edinburg, TX (US)
Assigned to Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Austin, TX (US)
Filed by Board of Regents, the University of Texas System, Austin, TX (US)
Filed on May 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/307,898.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/020,347, filed on May 5, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0388171 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. B09B 3/80 (2022.01); C08J 11/08 (2006.01); B02C 18/08 (2006.01); B01D 11/02 (2006.01); B09B 3/40 (2022.01); B29B 17/04 (2006.01)
CPC C08J 11/08 (2013.01) [B01D 11/0296 (2013.01); B02C 18/086 (2013.01); B09B 3/40 (2022.01); B09B 3/80 (2022.01); B29B 17/0412 (2013.01); B29B 2017/0448 (2013.01); C08J 2325/06 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
 
1. A device for recycling a polymer in an expanded state, the device comprising;
a shredder, configured to shred the polymer in an expanded state to form a shredded polymer in an expanded state;
a heating chamber operatively connected to the shredder, said heating chamber is configured to (i) receive the shredded polymer in an expanded state from the shredder and an organic solvent, (ii) contact the shredded polymer in an expanded state with the organic solvent to form a mixture comprising the organic solvent and a magma, the magma being a non-expanded amorphous polymer, and (iii) heat the mixture to evaporate the organic solvent;
a magma tank positioned below the heating chamber and configured to receive the magma from the heating chamber;
a condenser operatively connected to the heating chamber, said condenser is configured to receive the evaporated organic solvent from the heating chamber and condense the evaporated organic solvent into a liquid form;
a solvent tank operatively connected to the condenser, configured to receive the organic solvent from the condenser and store the organic solvent; and
a circulation unit operatively connected to the solvent tank and the heating chamber, said circulation unit is configured to circulate the organic solvent from the solvent tank to the heating chamber.