FORM-STABLE CRYSTALLINE POLYMER PELLETS FOR THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE - HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE INTERMEDIATE PRODUCTS

摘要

The primary objectives of this program were to demonstrate 1) that form-stable high density polyethylene (HDPE), which has been shown to have desirable properties as a phase-change type of thermal energy storage material, could be produced by processing in a polyethylene plant for a projected price near 26￠/lb, and 2) that the raw material, ethylene, will be available in the very long-term from alternate sources (other than petroleum and natural gas). These objectives were accomplished. Pro-duction of useful, form-stable HDPE pellets by radiation cross-linking was demonstrated. Such pellets are estimated to be obtainable at 26￠/lb, using large-volume (-10,000,000 lb/yr) in-plant processing. Well-developed technologies exist for obtaining ethylene from coal and plant (or biomass) sources, thus assuring its long-term availability and therefore that of polyethylene.