Controlled Pyrolysis of Brominated Flame Retardant Containing High Impact Polystyrene

Abstract

Controlled pyrolysis of high impact polystyrene with brominated flame re-tardants deca-bromodiphenyl ethane(DDE) and deca-bromodiphenyl ether (DDO) in the presence of polyethylene(PE)/polypropylene(PP)/polystyrene(PS) has been per-formed in the absence of debromination catalyst/sorbent. DDE and DDO with and without synergist i.e. Sb2O3 has been used to see the effect of synergist in the formation of decomposition products and its role on the formation of brominated hydrocarbons in the liquid products collected in during step 1 and step 2. The effect of type of FRs on the formation of products were extensively analysed with different gas chromatographs equipped with FID, TCD, AED, MSD, ECD and Ion chromatography. The analysis of liquid products confirmed that the brominated hydrocarbons were concentrated in step 1 liquid products. The presence of Sb2O3 increased the Br containing hydrocarbons and step 1 has 3-4 times higher brominated compounds than step 2 hydrocarbons.