# US 10,870,739 B2 · Wax as a melt flow modifier and processing aid for polymers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,739 B2 - Document ID: US10870739B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/140,169 - Filed: 2018-09-24 - Published: 2019-01-24 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-24 - Assignees: GreenMantra Recycling Technologies Ltd. - Applicants: GreenMantra Recycling Technologies Ltd. - Inventors: Domenic Di Mondo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870739B2 ## CPC - C08J 11/10: by chemically breaking down the molecular chains of polymers or breaking of crosslinks, e.g. devulcanisation (depolymerisation to the original monomer C07) - C08J 3/201: {Pre-melted polymers} - C08J 11/16: by treatment with inorganic material (C08J11/14 takes precedence) - C08L 23/06: Polyethylene - C08L 91/06: Waxes - B01J 19/18: Stationary reactors having moving elements inside (B01J19/08, B01J19/26 take precedence) - B01J 2219/0004: Processes in series - B01J 2219/00051: Controlling the temperature - C08J 2323/02: not modified by chemical after treatment - C08J 2323/06: Polyethene - C08J 2323/12: Polypropene - C08J 2491/06: Waxes - Y02W 30/62: Plastics recycling; Rubber recycling - C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29) - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT ## Abstract An improved method forms and employs a wax to modify throughputs and melt flow in polymers. The method includes: (a) selecting a solid polymeric material, (b) heating the solid polymeric material in an extruder to produce a molten polymeric material, (c) filtering the molten polymeric material, (d) placing the molten polymeric material through a chemical depolymerization process in a reactor to produce a depolymerized polymeric material, and (e) adding the depolymerized material to a pre-wax mixture to produce a modified polymer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for forming a depolymerized wax and employing said depolymerized wax to modify polymeric processing and material properties, the method comprising: selecting a solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed; heating said solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed in an extruder to produce a molten polymeric material; filtering said molten polymeric material; placing said molten polymeric material through a chemical depolymerization process in a reactor to produce a depolymerized wax material, wherein the depolymerized wax material has a melting point between 106° C. and 135° C.; adding said depolymerized wax material into a pre-wax mixture to produce a modified polymer with an increased melt flow index, wherein said pre-wax material comprises a polymer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said method is continuous or semi-continuous. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: filtering said solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: cooling said depolymerized wax material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising: purifying said depolymerized wax material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said purifying step employs one of flash separation, absorbent beds, clay polishing and film evaporators. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said depolymerized wax material is added to said pre-wax mixture via an in-line pump. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein said filtering step employs a filter bed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said depolymerization process employs a catalyst. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein said catalyst is supported on zeolite or alumina. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said depolymerization process employs a second reactor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein said reactors are connected in series. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein said reactors are stacked vertically. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said reactor comprises a static mixer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed includes recycled polyethylene. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed includes recycled polypropylene. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed includes inorganics. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of said depolymerized wax material mixed into said pre-wax mixture is between 1 to 5 percent of the weight of said modified polymer. ### Claim 19 A method for forming a depolymerized wax and employing said depolymerized wax to modify polymeric processing and material properties, the method comprising: selecting a solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed; heating said solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed in an extruder to produce a molten polymeric material; filtering said molten polymeric material; placing said molten polymeric material through a chemical depolymerization process hi a reactor to produce a depolymerized wax material, wherein the depolymerized wax material has a melting point between 106° C. and 135° C.; adding said depolymerized wax material into a pre-wax mixture to produce a modified polymer with an increased melt flow index, wherein said pre-wax mixture comprises said solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed which has not been depolymerized. ### Claim 20 A method for forming a depolymerized wax and employing said depolymerized wax to modify polymeric processing and material properties, the method comprising: selecting a solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed, wherein said solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed comprises recycled polyethylene and inorganics; heating said solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed in an extruder to produce a molten polymeric material; filtering said molten polymeric material; placing said molten polymeric material through a chemical depolymerization process in a reactor to produce a depolymerized wax material, wherein said depolymerized wax material has a melting point between 106° C. and 135° C.; adding said depolymerized wax material into a pre-wax mixture wherein said pre-wax mixture comprises said solid polymeric post-consumer or post-industrial feed which has not been depolymerized to produce a modified polymer with an increased melt flow index, wherein the amount of said depolymerized wax material mixed into said pre-wax mixture is between 1 to 5 percent of the weight of said modified polymer.