| abstract |
Disclosed is a method for recycling a carpet that produces clean surface fibers suitable for industrial use. The method allows for the recovery of surface fiber materials such as polyester or polyamide from carpets comprising surface fiber material and backing material, the method at which the carpet is at a temperature below the melting point of the surface fiber material, Heating at least a portion of the backing material to a temperature higher than the initial pyrolysis temperature of the backing material for a sufficient time and sufficient time to thermally decompose, pyrolyze, or oxidize the backing material over the untreated backing material. Each step includes applying mechanical force to the carpet to make the backing material friable; and to release the friable backing material from the surface fiber material. [Selection figure] None |