Thermal depolymerisation of poly-methyl-methacrylate using mechanically fluidised beds

A new method for recovering monomer from scrap polymer is presented. The performance of an experimental mechanically fluidised bed for depolymerising poly-methyl-methacrylate is discussed. Methyl-methacrylate monomer has been recovered at up to 99.4% purity under preferred operating conditions of 400 °C nominal bed temperature, 35 Hz frequency and 2.5 mm amplitude. The findings indicate that this is an advantageous recovery process when compared with conventional lead-pot or gas-fluidised depolymerisation processes.