Abstract:
This project aims to develop an efficient and low cost chemical recycling method to extract valuable terephthalic acid (TPA) from post consumer Poly (ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) in Sri Lanka. PET waste from soft drink bottles was subjected to alkaline hydrolysis using NaOH to produce sodium terephthalate. Reaction was carried out under different hydrolysis conditions including varying Ethylene glycol to PET ratios, reaction temperature and time. After completing the reaction, mixture was diluted with sulfuric acid to precipitate TPA that was separated by filtration. Characterization and identification of purified TPA were performed using Fourier Transformation Infrared techniques.
