Investigation of Volatile Organic Compounds from the Manufacturing Process of Recycled PET Fibers Using TGA-DTA/MS Technique

Abstract

Recycling is promising to dispose the wasted Poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers currently. However, high temperature and oxygen in the recycling process may accelerate the degradation of PET and residual dyes, resulting in the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions, which will do serious harm to the environment and human health. Exploring the source of VOCs is significant to remove VOCs and keep products safety. This study was carried out to investigate the influence of high temperature on the release of four VOCs (formaldehyde (CH2O), acetaldehyde (C2H4O), benzene (C6H6) and toluene (C7H8)) during the recycling process of PET fibers, utilizing thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis coupled with mass spectrometric (TGA-DTA/MS). The atmospheres and heating conditions of esterification, polycondensation and melt spinning were simulated by TGA with various atmospheres and programmed heating processes (heating from 50 °C to 240 °C in Ar, 280 °C in Ar and 280 °C in air, respectively, and then maintaining for 30min). Bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) (esterification product) and virgin PET (VPET) were used to explore the thermal degradation of PET. White PET popcorn, black PET popcorn and dyes were used to explore the effect of dyes on the release of VOCs. The results indicated that: (1) Aldehydes including formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are generated during the manufacturing process of PET, mainly due to its thermal oxidation;(2) Aromatic compounds including benzene and toluene are originated from the disperse dyes. So the degree of dye removing has a great influence on the production safety; (3) Thermal oxidation causes more VOCs than nonoxidative thermal degradation. So in the stages of melt spinning and slightly alcoholysis, usually in O2 containing atmosphere, devolatilization should be developed further.