Process for separation of hydrolyzable polymers from non-hydrolyzable polymers

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for reactively separating hydrolyzable polymers, such as PET, in mixtures of the polymer and certain non-hydrolyzable polymers, specifically polyolefins by converting the hydrolyzable polymers to their corresponding water soluble components (e.g., PET to ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid) in the presence of liquid water at temperatures from about 200°C up to the critical temperature of water and autogenous pressure. The process has utility in recycling and waste material separation processes.