Use of a residual oligomer recyclate in the production of macrocyclic polyester oligomer
AssigneeCyclics Corporation
InventorsPeter Phelps, Jimmy Webb, David Phelon, Paul Andrusyszyn, Gary Faler
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Abstract
The invention relates to methods and systems for the use of an oligomer recyclate from a depolymerization product stream. The oligomer byproduct of a polyester depolymerization reaction can be used as a reactant in the formation of a polyester. For example, linear oligomer byproduct can be used as a reactant in a solution polymerization to form a low-acid polyalkylene terephthalate.
Claims49
A method for preparing a macrocyclic polyester oligomer, the method comprising:
- (a) exposing a mixture to heat to produce a polyalkylene terephthalate product, the mixture at least initially comprising:
- (i) a diol;
- (ii) a recyclate from depolymerization of a polyalkylene terephthalate;
- (iii) an organic solvent;
- and
- (iv) a catalyst;
- and
- (b) depolymerizing the polyalkylene terephthalate product from step (a) to produce a macrocyclic polyester oligomer.
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A continuous or semi-continuous process for preparing a macrocyclic polyester oligomer, the process comprising:
- a first unit operation having an output stream, wherein the first unit operation is adapted to expose a mixture to heat thereby forming a polyalkylene terephthalate product, wherein the mixture at least initially comprises a diol, a recyclate from depolymerization of a polyalkylene terephthalate, an organic solvent, a catalyst, and optionally a dialkyl ester;
- and
- a second unit operation having an input stream that comprises at least a portion of the output stream of the first unit operation, wherein the second unit operation is adapted to expose the input stream to heat, thereby producing a macrocyclic polyester oligomer.
A method for preparing a macrocyclic polyester oligomer, the method comprising:
- (a) exposing a mixture to heat to produce a polyalkylene terephthalate product, the mixture at least initially comprising:
- (i) a diol;
- (ii) a recyclate from depolymerization of a polyalkylene terephthalate;
- (iii) a catalyst;
- and optionally
- (iv) a dialkyl ester;
- and
- (b) depolymerizing the polyalkylene terephthalate product from step (a) to produce a macrocyclic polyester oligomer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.