Emissions from processing thermoplastics

Forrest, Martin J.; Jolly, A. M.; Holding, S.R.; Richards, S. J.

doi:10.1016/0003-4878(94)00100-f

Cited by 24 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…In some cases the emission factors determined in this study may overestimate or underestimate emissions from a particular process. For example, a recent 2-year study 7 found, as would be expected, that a lower level of fume was generated by injection molding compared to extrusion-based processes in which the hot polymer is exposed to air. Therefore, professional judgment and conservative measures must be exercised when using the data for estimating emissions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Emission Factors for Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and Ethylene-Methyl Acrylate Copolymer Processing

Barlow

Moss²,

Parker

et al. 1997

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

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Emission factors for selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate emissions were developed over a range of temperatures during extrusion of three mixtures of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers and two mixtures of ethylene-methyl acrylate (EMA) copolymers. A mixture of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) resins was used as a control. EVAs with 9, 18, and 28% vinyl acetate (VA) were used. The EMA mixtures were both 20% methyl acrylate. A small commercial extruder was used. Polymer melt temperatures were run at 340 °F for LDPE and both 18 and 28% EVAs. The 9% EVA mixture was extruded at 435 °F melt temperature. The EMA mixtures were extruded at 350 and 565 °F melt temperatures.An emission rate for each substance was calculated, measured, and reported as pounds released to the atmosphere per million pounds of polymer processed [ppm (wt/ wt)]. Based on production volumes, these emission factors can be used by processors to estimate emission quantities from EVA and EMA extrusion operations that are similar to the resins and the conditions used in this study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Emission Factors for Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and Ethylene-Methyl Acrylate Copolymer Processing

Barlow

Moss²,

Parker

et al. 1997

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

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“…(5) In some cases, the emission factors determined in this study may overestimate 11 or under estimate emissions from a particular process. Professional judgement and conservative measures must be exercised as necessary when using the data for estimating emission quantities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Emission Factors for Polypropylene Processing

Adams¹,

Bankston²,

Barlow

et al. 1999

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

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Emission factors for selected volatile organic compounds and particulate emissions were developed during extrusion of commercial grades of propylene homopolymers and copolymers with ethylene. A small commercial extruder was used. Polymer melt temperatures ranged from 400 to 605 °F. However, temperatures in excess of 510 °F for polypropylene are considered extreme. Temperatures as high as 605 °F are only used for very specialized applications, for example, melt-blown fibers. Therefore, use of this data should be matched with the resin manufacturers' recommendations.An emission factor was calculated for each substance measured and reported as pounds released to the atmosphere per million pounds of polymer processed [ppm (wt/wt)]. Based on production volumes, these emission factors can be used by processors to estimate emission IMPLICATIONSThis study provides quantitative emissions data that were collected during extrusion of homopolymers and copolymers of propylene. These data are directly related to production volumes and can be used as reference points to estimate emissions from similar polypropylene resins extruded on similar equipment.quantities from polypropylene extrusion operations that are similar to the resins and the conditions used in this study.

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“…In general, polymer heating causes release of free monomers and decomposition of polymers or their additives; this has been reported in several studies (4) .Our knowledge of occupational exposure to toxic compounds during thermal processing of plastics is limited as most of the studies are focused on a thermoplastics or pollutants family (5)(6)(7) or conducted to determine plastics thermal behaviour (8) . Numerous studies have been carried out on thermoplastic decomposition in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or helium) (9) in order to determine thermoplastic composition or assess thermoplastic ageing pathways.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying thermal breakdown products of thermoplastics

Guillemot

Oury

Mélin

2017

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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Polymers processed to produce plastic articles are subjected to temperatures between 150°C and 450°C or more during overheated processing and breakdowns. Heat-based processing of this nature can lead to emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the thermoplastic processing shop. In this study, laboratory experiments, qualitative and quantitative emissions measurement in thermoplastic factories were carried out. The first step was to identify the compounds released depending on the thermoplastic nature, the temperature and the type of process. Then a thermal degradation protocol that can extrapolate the laboratory results to industry scenarios was developed. The influence of three parameters on released thermal breakdown products was studied: the sample preparation methodsmanual cutting, ambient or cold grinding -the heating rate during thermal degradation -5, 10 20 and 50°C/min -and the decomposition method -thermogravimetric analysis and pyrolysis. Laboratory results were compared to atmospheric measurements taken at 13 companies to validate the protocol and thereby ensure its representativeness of industrial thermal processing. This protocol was applied to most commonly used thermoplastics to determine their thermal breakdown products and their thermal behaviour. Emissions data collected by personal exposure monitoring and sampling at the process emission area show airborne concentrations of detected compounds to be in the range of 0-3 mg/m 3 under normal operating conditions. Laser cutting or purging operations generate higher pollution levels in particular formaldehyde which was found in some cases at a concentration above the workplace exposure limit.3

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Emissions from processing thermoplastics

Cited by 24 publications

References 3 publications

Development of Emission Factors for Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and Ethylene-Methyl Acrylate Copolymer Processing

Development of Emission Factors for Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and Ethylene-Methyl Acrylate Copolymer Processing

Development of Emission Factors for Polypropylene Processing

Identifying thermal breakdown products of thermoplastics

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