Topic 6.2.9 - Dealing with polymer waste

Question 1

Incineration.

Answer 1

Heat energy to heat factories or homes or produce electricity.

Question 2

Definition of recycle.

Answer 2

Converting into materials

Question 3

Feedstock.

Answer 3

Break down polymer waste into gases H2 and CO2 then use these to make chemicals

Question 4

Biodegradable.

Answer 4

Broken down by microbes in the environment

Question 5

Why has the use of polymers increased?

Answer 5

Can be manufactured on a large scale
Often lighter in weight
The are unreactive

Question 6

Solutions to reduce polymer waste.

Answer 6

Not using them unnecessarily eg supermarkets not allowing free plastic bags.
Recycling, feedstock, incineration

Question 7

Example of recycling a polmer.

Answer 7

PET used to make carpets

Question 8

What happens in incineration?

Answer 8

Takes polymer waste and converts it into heat energy that can heat homes or produce electricity.

Question 9

Disadvantages of incineration.

Answer 9

Can cause pollution
E.g PVC also contains chlorine not just carbon and hydrogen

Question 10

How do you use polymers as chemical feedstock?

Answer 10

Break the polymer into gases mainly H2 and CO
This produces feedstock that can be used in other chemical reactions

Question 11

What are biodegradable polymers?

Answer 11

Polymers that can be broken down by microbes in the environment

Question 12

Disadvantages of biodegradable polymers.

Answer 12

Made from plant material so need land to grow the plants
When broken down, the C and H produced can’t be used