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Análisis Integrado de Eficiencia y Viabilidad Ambiental en Tratamientos Fisicoquímicos de Residuos de EPS para su Reintegración Industrial Sostenible
Summary
Scientists tested different ways to recycle expanded polystyrene foam (the white foam used in packaging and takeout containers) to keep it out of landfills and the environment. They found that using heated D-Limonene, a natural chemical from citrus peels, was the most effective and environmentally-friendly method to break down the foam for reuse. This matters because it could help reduce plastic waste that breaks down into harmful microplastics in our environment and food chain.
El crecimiento acelerado de los residuos de poliestireno expandido (EPS) genera la necesidad de desarrollar estrategias de valorización que permitan su reincorporación en la industria. El presente trabajo evaluó de manera integrada la eficiencia técnica y la viabilidad ambiental de cuatro tratamientos para la transformación de residuos de EPS: disolución con gasolina, acetona, D-Limoneno, y fusión térmica. A partir de experimentos con volúmenes controlados de solvente y masa fija de EPS, se determinaron indicadores clave como capacidad de transformación másica, rendimiento por litro, eficiencia temporal y consumo específico de solvente. Los resultados mostraron que el D-Limoneno calentado a 60°C presentó el mejor desempeño entre los solventes, con una capacidad de transformación de 0.667 g/mL, un consumo específico de 1.50 L/kg EPS y una eficiencia temporal de 45.9 g/min, superando a la acetona (0.533 g/mL, 1.88 L/kg, 22.7 g/min) y a la gasolina (0.587 g/mL, 1.70 L/kg, 32.2 g/min). La fusión térmica resultó ser el método más rápido (105.7 g/min) y con menor huella de carbono directa, aunque generó un material quebradizo. Desde la perspectiva ambiental, el D-Limoneno presentó la menor huella de carbono (1200-1800 kg CO₂ eq/ton producida) frente a la acetona (2850-3200 kg CO₂ eq/ton) y la gasolina (3700-5300 kg CO₂ eq/ton). Se concluye que el D-Limoneno calentado constituye la alternativa más prometedora para la valorización sostenible de EPS, combinando alta eficiencia técnica, bajo impacto ambiental y potencial de recuperación del solvente, lo que lo posiciona como una opción viable para su reinserción en la industria sostenible.
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