limonene/HIPS disposal

[Darrell jan]

So I tried using HIPS (from Toybuilder) as support and it dissolved away nicely. Now what do I do with the HIPS/limonene solution? 

[Darrell jan]

Decided to submit as a case to Makerbot:

I read that limonene is used to dissolve your dissolvable support. From what I have found, limonene is not as hazardous as a lot of chemicals. But once the limonene has been used, how are we to dispose of the limonene/plastic solution? Does it have to be handled as hazardous waste? I'm in the US; you can answer just for New York if that makes is easier.

Thanks!

[scott sutter]

Hi Darrell.

 

I have had a lot of luck, with letting the polystyrene settle to the bottom of the container, then pouring the batch through a bunch of coffee filters into a separate container for “used” Limonene. The majority of the “HIPS” gets caught in the filter and I can reuse the Limonene quite a few times, before it is too saturated with polystyrene to dissolve it any longer. Also I then take the sludge from the filter and give it a quick alcohol rinse and use it to make gap filler for my fine scale models.

 

Also there is a way to distil the limonene 100% and leave the “HIPS” behind, but
I have not been brave enough to try it.

 

Scott-  

[Ryan Carlyle]

Limonene is a natural chemical made from orange peels. It's used in many household cleaning products and is fully biodegradable when diluted. You can pretty much just dump it down your sink without feeling bad. I wouldn't pour it into a creek, but the municipal water treatment system is fine.

The dissolved styrene will precipitate out as the limonene is diluted with water. Then the styrene and butadiene sediments will be captured by the solids treatment steps (eg flocculation) at the water treatment plant.

Alternatively, leave it outside in an open container until all the liquids evaporate, then throw the container and plastic residue in the trash.

[Scottbee]

And contrary to popular belief, it pretty much sucks as a Margarita mixer.....   ;)

 

[Darrell jan]

Ryan, what you say sounds pretty reasonable. I read that it's considered hazardous mostly because of its flammability.

In other news, I had been soaking my model in a polypropylene container. Polypro is resistant to nearly all solvents, so this works well. However, I forgot about the lid, which is made of some other plastic. So even though the lid wasn't much in physical contact, it was softened and distorted.

[Ryan Carlyle]

Oops! Gotta be careful with solvents. PS/HIPS/ABS are very common in consumer products. 

I keep all my fresh acetone, limonene, alcohol, etc bottles in PETE or PP tubs as over-packs. For actual dissolving I use spare glass jars. I have a little bit of proper lab glassware, but I'd rather reuse and then toss a pickle jar than clean my beakers over and over.

Hazard ratings don't mean much unless you know how to interpret them. D-limonene has a flash point of 50C, which makes it hardly more dangerous (from a fire standpoint) than diesel. Limonene is actually harder to ignite than a high-proof liquor like Bacardi 151. Treat it like you would treat unwanted booze and dump it down the sink with the water running. 

It'll probably help clean grease build-up out of your plumbing to boot. Great stuff.

[Joseph Chiu]

Limonene is used as cleaners and as insecticides... it is considered non toxic to humans in moderate exposure levels, but you should be wearing goes when using it.

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[Ryan Carlyle]

Joseph is right, it's a skin irritant and if you drink a large amount of it, you will have severe intestinal distress (but probably no lasting damage). 

It's chemically pretty similar to turpentine... except delicious-smelling.

[Darrell jan]

Here is Makerbot's reply:

Hi Darrell,

Thanks for getting in touch! Disposal of leftover HIPS solution after it has been dissolved in Limonene depends on your local regulations, so we suggest consulting your local or regional authorities regarding an approved disposal area. Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Best,

Jessica