First Order Kinetic Model of Depolymerization of Polyurethane Foam

Vishvanath S. Zope and Satyendra Mishra*

University Department of Chemical Technology, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon-425 001, (India)

Polyurethane (PU) foam was hydrolytically depolymerised at 150, 170, 200, 220 and 250°C and at 80, 153, 230, 405, 451 psi pressures respectively for 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes using 0.5 L high pressure autoclave equipped with temperature controller, magnetic stirrer. The depolymerization rate fits well with first order mathematical model based on amine values, with the velocity constants of the order of 10-2 min-1. The energy of activation and frequency factor found to be 15.60 kJ/ g mole, 62.76 x 10-2 min-1 respectively.

Kinetics Thermodynamics; Polyurethane; Hydrolysis; Depolymerization; Degradation