Polystyrene and Study Styrofoam Essay Example

1953, Hermann Staudinger won the Nobel Prize for Najeeb Kuzhiyil and Song-Charng Kong of Iowa State University explain in a recent study published in Energy and Fuels, polystyrene accounts for about 22% of all high-volume plastics, by weight. Finding a method to convert these waste plastics into energy could potentially alleviate the strain on landfills and generate electricity. In their study, the researchers used biodiesel as a recycling agent, into which they dissolved different amounts of polystyrene packing peanuts and tested the blended fuel in a tractor engine.

As Kong explained, a polystyrene cup dissolves almost instantly in biodiesel, "like a snowflake in water." Styrofoam has been widely used as an insulator and inpackaging. The disposal of these products creates environmental pollution because of their nondegradable nature. In this paper, a new formulation for recycling waster styrofoam which used for binder is introduced. Some additives, such as rosin resin, phenolic resin, isocyanate and dibutyl phthalate was reacted with styrofoam to produce high performance adhesive.

Influences of reaction parameters, such as temperature, time, and additives amount was investigated by orthogonal experiment. Experimental results showed that the amount of rosin and phenolic resin is the biggest influence factor on the reaction. The optimized formulation was rosin (8-10) %, phenolic resin (8-10) %, isocyanate 10%, BPO 2%, DBP 10%. Under the optimum conditions, peel strength of obtained binder reaches 1.056 kN/m, which is higher than that of commerical milky glue.

Methodology

I. The subject of the study

 II. Procedure

In order to make Styrofoam glue at home you will need some items to get the job done properly. So, first gather the

following: Two or Three Styrofoam food containers Limonene/Orange Oil can be purchased at Citrus Depot Large Metal Pot Clean Jar or Jars with lids Once you have your items together, the first thing you'll want to do is get set up in a well ventilated area or go outside. The Limonene has a powerful orange scent and the Styrofoam can be odorous while breaking down. Tear up or cut your Styrofoam into small pieces

Place your polystyrene into the metal pot Start off with pouring 4oz of Limonene onto the Styrofoam. The Styrofoam will then break down into a thin liquid form. Take the resulting liquid, which will amount to about 9oz and pour into a jar. Label it well as "Glue" before you put it away, so you and your household will know what it is later. Chose to use your glue wisely, as it can also act as a type of sealant. Once you use it, just like some of the better super glues it is there to stay and is very hard to get off.