Effect of water addition on centrifugal treatment to remove lead compounds from polyvinylchloride in electric wires and cables

Recycling treatment of cable insulation resin generated from electric wires and cables was investigated. Here, PVC is the most common insulation resin and conventional insulation PVC contains a lead component, tribase, as a thermal stabilizer. To recycle this PVC as insulation resin, lead removal is necessary to be able to conform to RoHS. This paper proposes a solvent dissolution and centrifugation method and the effects of flocculants and water addition in the processes involved are described.

► Cable insulation PVC contains lead component as thermal stabilizer.
► Lead removal is needed to recycle PVC as insulation resin.
► Lead removal using dissolution and centrifugation method was carried out.
► Flocculants and water addition improved lead removal.