Home / Chemistry / Production of foam using plastic support

Production of foam using plastic support

 

Table Of Contents


Project Abstract

Abstract
Foam production using plastic support is an innovative approach that aims to address the environmental challenges posed by traditional foam manufacturing processes. This research project focuses on developing a sustainable method to produce foam materials by incorporating plastic support structures. The main objective is to create a lightweight and durable foam product that reduces the dependency on traditional foam materials that are non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment. The process involves combining plastic support structures with foam-forming materials to create a composite material that exhibits the desired properties of foam, such as low density, high porosity, and cushioning capabilities. The plastic support serves as a framework to maintain the structure of the foam during production and use, enhancing its mechanical strength and durability. Various types of plastics can be utilized as support structures, including recycled plastics to further enhance the sustainability aspect of the foam production process. The plastic support structures can be designed in different shapes and configurations to tailor the foam product's properties for specific applications. Additionally, the incorporation of plastic supports can improve the thermal and acoustic insulation properties of the foam material. The research methodology involves experimental testing to optimize the composition of the foam-forming materials and the plastic support structures. Mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and microstructural characterization are conducted to evaluate the performance of the foam produced using plastic support. Environmental impact assessments are also carried out to compare the sustainability of the novel foam production method with conventional processes. The findings of this research demonstrate the feasibility of producing foam using plastic support as a sustainable alternative to traditional foam manufacturing. The composite foam material exhibits promising mechanical properties, thermal insulation capabilities, and environmental benefits. The use of recycled plastics in the support structures contributes to reducing plastic waste and promoting a circular economy approach in foam production. Overall, the production of foam using plastic support presents a novel and eco-friendly solution to enhance foam material properties while reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional foam manufacturing processes. This research contributes to the advancement of sustainable materials engineering and offers a practical approach to developing innovative foam products with improved performance and reduced ecological footprint.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic made from the styrene monomer. Most people know it under the name Styrofoam, which is actually the trade name of a polystyrene foam product used for housing insulation Delebecq, E. (2013). Polystyrene is a light-weight material, about 95% air, with very good insulation properties and is used in all types of products from cups that keep your beverages hot or cold to packaging material that keep your computers safe during shipping.

The biggest environmental health concern associated with polystyrene is the danger associated with Styrene, the basic building block of polystyrene. Styrene is used extensively in the manufacture of foam, plastics, rubber, and resins. About 90,000 workers, including those who make boats, tubs and showers, are potentially exposed to styrene, Delebecq, E. (2013).

According to Helou, M. (2011). Acute health effects are generally irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal effects. Chronic exposure affects the central nervous system showing symptoms such as depression, headache, fatigue, and weakness, and can cause minor effects on kidney function and blood. Styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the EPA and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). A voluntary compliance program has been adopted by industries using styrene. The US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration unsuccessfully (a federal court overturned the ruling in 1992) tried to limit the amount of worker exposure to styrene to 50 parts per million (ppm). According to the Styrene Information and Research Center (SIRC), they still encourage their member companies to comply with the 50 ppm exposure limit. This program would reduce styrene exposures to a 50 ppm TWA with a 100 ppm (15 minute) ceiling.-OSHA (US Dept of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration)

A 1986 EPA report on solid waste named the polystyrene manufacturing process as the 5th largest creator of hazardous waste, Helou, M.; (2011). The National Bureau of Standards Center for Fire Research identified 57 chemical byproducts released during the combustion of polystyrene foam. The process of making foam pollutes the air and creates large amounts of liquid and solid waste. Toxic chemicals leach out of these products into the food that they contain (especially when heated in a microwave), Javni, I.; (2013). These chemicals threaten human health and reproductive systems. These products are made with petroleum, a non-sustainable and heavily polluting resource.

The use of hydrocarbons in polystyrene foam manufacture releases the hydrocarbons into the air at ground level; there, combined with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight, they form tropospheric ozone — a serious air pollutant at ground level, Javni, I.; (2013). According to the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) more than 100 million Americans currently live in areas that fail to meet air quality standards for ozone. California, the Texas Gulf Coast, the Chicago-Milwaukee area, and the Northeastern U.S. all have “serious ozone air quality problems,” according to EPA. Ozone is definitely a dangerous pollutant. The EPA says: “Healthy individuals who are exercising while ozone levels are at or only slightly above the standard can experience reduced functioning of the lungs, leading to chest pain, coughing, wheezing, and pulmonary congestion. In animal studies, long-term exposure to high levels of ozone has produced permanent structural damage to animal lungs while both short and long term exposure has been found to decrease the animal’s capability to fight infection.” In other words, prolonged exposure to atmospheric ozone above legal limits might be expected to damage the immune system. Hong, D. P. (2013)

By volume, the amount of space used up in landfills by all foams is between 25 and 30 percent. -“Polystyrene Fact Sheet,” Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education, Los Angeles, California. Polystyrene foam is often dumped into the environment as litter. This material is notorious for breaking up into pieces that choke animals and clog their digestive systems. Many cities and counties have outlawed polystyrene foam (i.e. Taiwan, Portland, OR, and Orange County, CA), Petrovic, Z. S (2013).

1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this project is to produce foam with elastic support.

The objectives are:

To carry out necessary test on the foam human produced.

It is expected that if this research is a success expanding the current foam manufacturing sector by finding easier ways of establishing such industry there by creating more jobs and reducing the level of unemployment and increase the nation Gross Domestic Product.

1.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study on the production of foam using elastic support. The project will be guided by both objectives. The study will use analysis of literature review on survey and experimental research conducted on the process involve in the production of foam using elastic support. The literature will provide important information on the possibility process involve in the production of foam. The study will use a survey research methodology to obtain data’s for analysis. Data obtained will be tabulated and presented in graphs using charts, line and bar graphs. The study will use descriptive statistics to analyze the data.


Blazingprojects Mobile App

📚 Over 50,000 Project Materials
📱 100% Offline: No internet needed
📝 Over 98 Departments
🔍 Software coding and Machine construction
🎓 Postgraduate/Undergraduate Research works
📥 Instant Whatsapp/Email Delivery

Blazingprojects App

Related Research

Chemistry. 3 min read

Development of Novel Catalysts for Green Chemistry Applications...

The project on "Development of Novel Catalysts for Green Chemistry Applications" aims to address the pressing need for more sustainable and environmen...

BP
Blazingprojects
Read more →
Chemistry. 3 min read

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Metal-Organic Frameworks for Gas Separation ...

The project titled "Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Metal-Organic Frameworks for Gas Separation Applications" focuses on the development and a...

BP
Blazingprojects
Read more →
Chemistry. 2 min read

Development of Novel Catalysts for Sustainable Organic Synthesis Reactions...

The project "Development of Novel Catalysts for Sustainable Organic Synthesis Reactions" focuses on addressing the growing need for environmentally fr...

BP
Blazingprojects
Read more →
Chemistry. 2 min read

Development of Novel Catalysts for Green Energy Production...

The project on "Development of Novel Catalysts for Green Energy Production" aims to address the growing need for sustainable and efficient energy sour...

BP
Blazingprojects
Read more →
Chemistry. 4 min read

Synthesis and Characterization of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Gas Separation Applic...

The project on "Synthesis and Characterization of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Gas Separation Applications" focuses on the development and evaluation ...

BP
Blazingprojects
Read more →
Chemistry. 4 min read

Investigating the effects of pH on enzyme activity in catalase....

The project titled "Investigating the effects of pH on enzyme activity in catalase" aims to explore the impact of varying pH levels on the activity of...

BP
Blazingprojects
Read more →
Chemistry. 3 min read

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Organic Polymers for Drug Delivery Applicati...

The project on "Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Organic Polymers for Drug Delivery Applications" aims to explore the development of innovative...

BP
Blazingprojects
Read more →
Chemistry. 4 min read

Investigation of the effects of different catalysts on the rate of a chemical reacti...

The project aims to investigate and analyze the impact of various catalysts on the rate of a chemical reaction. Catalysts play a crucial role in accelerating or...

BP
Blazingprojects
Read more →
Chemistry. 2 min read

Development of Novel Catalysts for Green Chemistry Applications...

The project titled "Development of Novel Catalysts for Green Chemistry Applications" focuses on the synthesis and application of innovative catalysts ...

BP
Blazingprojects
Read more →
WhatsApp Click here to chat with us