Tpa Process
6.6.2 Poly(ethylene Terephthalate)1-2
6.6.2.1 General
Poly(ethylene terephthalate), or PET, is a thermoplastic polyester resin. Such resins may be classified as low-viscosity or high-viscosity resins. Low-viscosity PET typically has an intrinsic viscosity of less than 0.75, while high-viscosity PET typically has an intrinsic viscosity of 0.9 or higher. Low-viscosity resins, which are sometimes referred to as "staple" PET (when used in textile applications), are used in a wide variety of products, such as apparel fiber, bottles, and photographic film. High-viscosity resins, sometimes referred to as "industrial" or "heavy denier" PET, are used in tire cord, seat belts, and the like.
PET is used extensively in the manufacture of synthetic fibers (i. e., polyester fibers), which compose the largest segment of the synthetic fiber industry. Since it is a pure and regulated material meeting FDA food contact requirements, PET is also widely used in food packaging, such as beverage bottles and frozen food trays that can be heated in a microwave or conventional oven. PET bottles are used for a variety of foods and beverages, including alcohol, salad dressing, mouthwash, syrups, peanut butter, and pickled food. Containers made of PET are being used for toiletries, cosmetics, and household and pharmaceutical products (e. g., toothpaste pumps). Other applications of PET include molding resins, X-ray and other photographic films, magnetic tape, electrical insulation, printing sheets, and food packaging film.
6.6.2.2 Process Description3-15
PET resins are produced commercially from ethylene glycol (EG) and either dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) or terephthalic acid (TPA). DMT and TPA are solids. DMT has a melting point of 140°C (284°F), while TPA sublimes (goes directly from the solid phase to the gaseous phase).
Both processes first produce the intermediate bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-terephthalate (BHET) monomer and either methanol (DMT process) or water (TPA
6.6.2.1 General
Poly(ethylene terephthalate), or PET, is a thermoplastic polyester resin. Such resins may be classified as low-viscosity or high-viscosity resins. Low-viscosity PET typically has an intrinsic viscosity of less than 0.75, while high-viscosity PET typically has an intrinsic viscosity of 0.9 or higher. Low-viscosity resins, which are sometimes referred to as "staple" PET (when used in textile applications), are used in a wide variety of products, such as apparel fiber, bottles, and photographic film. High-viscosity resins, sometimes referred to as "industrial" or "heavy denier" PET, are used in tire cord, seat belts, and the like.
PET is used extensively in the manufacture of synthetic fibers (i. e., polyester fibers), which compose the largest segment of the synthetic fiber industry. Since it is a pure and regulated material meeting FDA food contact requirements, PET is also widely used in food packaging, such as beverage bottles and frozen food trays that can be heated in a microwave or conventional oven. PET bottles are used for a variety of foods and beverages, including alcohol, salad dressing, mouthwash, syrups, peanut butter, and pickled food. Containers made of PET are being used for toiletries, cosmetics, and household and pharmaceutical products (e. g., toothpaste pumps). Other applications of PET include molding resins, X-ray and other photographic films, magnetic tape, electrical insulation, printing sheets, and food packaging film.
6.6.2.2 Process Description3-15
PET resins are produced commercially from ethylene glycol (EG) and either dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) or terephthalic acid (TPA). DMT and TPA are solids. DMT has a melting point of 140°C (284°F), while TPA sublimes (goes directly from the solid phase to the gaseous phase).
Both processes first produce the intermediate bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-terephthalate (BHET) monomer and either methanol (DMT process) or water (TPA
References: 2. Standards Of Performance For New Stationary Sources; Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Polystyrene, And Poly(ethylene terephthalate), 55 FR 51039, December 11, 1990. 3. Polymer Industry Ranking By VOC Emissions Reduction That Would Occur From New Source Performance Standards, Pullman-Kellogg, Houston, TX, August 30, 1979. 4. Karel Verschueren, Handbook Of Environmental Data On Organic Compounds, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, NY, 1983. 5. Final Trip Report To Tennessee Eastman Company 's Polyester Plant, Kingsport, TN, Energy And Environmental Analysis, Inc., Durham, NC, October 2, 1980. 6. Written communication from R. E. Lee, Tennessee Eastman Co., Kingsport, TN, to A. Limpiti, Energy And Environmental Analysis, Inc., Durham, NC, November 7, 1980. 8, 1988. 29, 1988. 9. Final Trip To DuPont 's Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Plant, Kinston, NC, Pacific Environmental Services, Inc., Durham, NC, February 21, 1989. Services, Inc., Durham, NC, September 29, 1982. 12. Written communication from D. V. Perry, Fiber Industries, Salisbury, NC, to K. Meardon, Pacific Environmental Services, Inc., Durham, NC, November 22, 1982. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, October 27, 1980. 14. Final Trip Report To Monsanto 's Polyester Plant, Decatur, Alabama, Energy and Environmental Analysis, Durham, NC, August 27, 1980. 16. Written communication from D. Perry, Fiber Industries, Salisbury, NC, to K. Meardon, Pacific Environmental Services, Inc., Durham, NC, February 11, 1983. Roy, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, August 25, 1988. Farmer, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, September 4, 1984. 20. Written communication from A. T. Roy, Allied-Signal, Petersburg, VA, to K. Meardon, Pacific Environmental Services, Inc., Durham, NC, August 18, 1989.