摘要 |
A process for recovering thermoplastic polymer particles from an expanded thermoplastic polymer material includes grinding the expanded thermoplastic polymer material in a grinding chamber under elevated temperature while feeding ionized gas through the grinding chamber during the grinding. An apparatus for recovering the thermoplastic polymer particles from the expanded thermoplastic polymer material includes a grinding chamber into which the expanded thermoplastic polymer material is introduced, the grinding chamber having grinding components therein, one or more inlet passages at a bottom potion of the grinding chamber for entry of ionized gas, and optionally also for entry of hot gas, and one or more outlet passages at a top portion of the grinding chamber for exit of gases from the grinding chamber. The process and apparatus provide a cost-effective mechanical process for compacting expanded polymers, particularly expanded polystyrene, and eliminates the use of solvents in compaction and the problems associated with such solvents.
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