Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Committee Chair

Richard Turton.

Abstract

This research work focuses on a froth flotation technique to separate two specific EOL plastics, namely High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene copolymer (ABS).;The objective of this research was to investigate composition of keyboards and casings of personal computers, and other EOL components, as representative of post-consumer EOL equipment. The plastics were then characterized in terms of their density, qualitative composition and inorganic content.;The frother investigated in the froth flotation study was methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), while oleic acid and dodecylamine hydrochloride were investigated as representative surfactants from the anionic and cationic groups, respectively. HIPS and ABS were individually floated using these chemicals to study rates of flotation. The batch times of operation to achieve best possible separability was determined in each case. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Share

COinS