5. Waste solvolysis process

The decomposition of waste can be achieved by immersion in a solvent, known as solvolysis. This can be used, for example, to depolymerize plastic compounds or devulcanize latex... The solvent acts as a heat carrier, chain transfer agent and solvent for the products obtained.

Cellulosic compounds are solvolysed at room temperature, in aqueous solutions containing concentrated mineral acids (HCl, HNO ₃ , H ₃ PO ₄ ...) or strong bases (LiOH, NaOH...), as well as in organic solvents (Dimethylformamide DMF, Dimethylsulfoxide DMSO), in combination with an inorganic reagent (SO ₂ , N ₂ O ₄ ...). The...