Induction heating of thin aluminum layers during depolymerization process

Abstract

TETRA-PAK® packages are composed with cellulose and a composite material composed with aluminum foil mutually covered by polyethylene. Recycling of an aluminum layer is often realized in thermal depolymerization process. In many cases, indirect heating methods are in use. According to this fact, total efficiencies of the process are at low values. In this paper possibilities of using the induction heating are analyzed for special aluminum thin foil characterized for TETRA-PAK®. Mathematical models of the heating process are presented and results of simulations performed by author's algorithms are discussed. Final results of the paper is the determination of total efficiencies of the presented processes and the comparison of the results with those for the classical devices.