Design Basis

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DESIGN BASIS
This project proposes an industrial process that turns acid cheese whey, a readily available renewable feedstock, to a biodegradable polymer Poly Lactide which will be processed into garbage bags. In order to meet industrial size and keep the process economically feasible, 50 million pounds of Lactic acid is chosen as the basis. In order to fulfill the set 50 million pounds of lactic acid, through back calculations 1.57 billion pounds of whey permeate are necessary. Via whey permeate the process produces 33.69 million pounds per year of Poly Lactide. The plant is designed to meet ASME code VIII standards, as well as all OSHA and EPA standards.

The plant is estimated to be environmentally friendly in every aspect, from feedstock to product. The process waste streams need only minimal treatment to remove a minimal BOD load. The product is specified at a molecular weight between 80,000 - 100,000 Daltons. This molecular weight is optimal for polymer molding for various end products including garbage bags, plastic cups, and other common packaging. The plastic is food grade, but due to the tin catalyst employed it is not a pharmaceutical grade plastic.