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The goal of this project was to research and propose the implementation of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling plant. The recommended process is recycling PET flakes into its base polymers and monomers via a hydrolase enzyme biocatalyst. The current design with supporting utilities and operations has an estimated total capital investment of $54.68 million dollars. The team recommends selling terephthalic acid (rTPA) at $2.21 per kilogram to reach a net present value of $0 after 10 years. This price is not yet competitive with the current market of virgin TPA, which historically has been between $1.00 and $1.50 per kilogram. This process also produces liquid ethylene glycol (EG) and sodium sulfate salt (SS) that can be sold as co-products. The return on investment (ROI) is 24.4% and the venture profit is $1.34 million. Future work includes further optimization of rTPA pricing, on-site wastewater treatment, unit operation modification, and further lab development and research regarding the biocatalyst enzyme

Creator

• Sauls, Amanda
• Ker, Chelsea
• Brandes, Miread
• McCluskey, Margaret
• Newman, Robert

License

• All rights reserved

Submitter

Stephen W. Thiel

College

• Engineering and Applied Science

Department

• - Chemical Eng

Date Created

• 2022-04

Publisher

• University of Cincinnati

Genre

• Poster

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

Identifier: doi:10.7945/xftx-tk72
Link: https://doi.org/10.7945/xftx-tk72

This DOI link is the best way for others to cite your work.

Items

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Visibility	Actions
	Enzymatic_Recycling_of_PET_CHE_5046-2218_Poster.pdf	2022-04-25	Open Access	Press to Select an action Download
	Enzymatic_Recycling_of_PET_CHE_5046-2218_Poster.pptx	2022-05-09	Open Access	Press to Select an action Download
	ENZYMATIC_RECYCLING_OF_POLYETHYLENE_TEREPHTHALATE_-_PROJECT_5046-2218.docx	2022-05-09	Open Access	Press to Select an action Download