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Characterisation Study of Various Disposable Diaper Brands

Author

Listed:
  • Asiphile Khanyile

    (Discipline of Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Glenwood 4041, South Africa)

  • Guy C. Caws

    (Association of Clean Communities, Durban 4001, South Africa)

  • S’phumelele L. Nkomo

    (Discipline of Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Glenwood 4041, South Africa)

  • Ntandoyenkosi M. Mkhize

    (Discipline of Chemical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Glenwood 4041, South Africa)

Abstract

Seven disposable diaper brands that are commonly used in Clermont, Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa) and some frequently found along river bodies (due to illegal dumping) were characterised through proximate analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultimate analysis and analytical pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS). A novel approach entailing separation of the diapers into two fractions, interior (constituting mainly biomass fibres) and exterior (mainly constituting non-biomass polyethylene), assisted in assessing thermochemical conversion of the disposable diaper’s potential as well as likely threats to the environment. In a comparison of the volatile matter between the two fractions, the exterior fraction is more combustible (due to a higher volatile fraction). Hence, it is more suitable for energy recovery. The present study investigates the use of pyrolysis to manage disposable diapers to potentially recover pyro-oil, pyro-gas and pyro-char. In this primary investigation, it was observed that each disposable diaper brand reacts differently to constant heating. However, the proximate and elemental analysis also highlights the likely negative environmental threats, such as that the high volatile content can potentially release dangerous permanent gases such as chlorine and cobalt into the atmosphere after the diaper is disposed of illegally and in landfill.

Suggested Citation

  • Asiphile Khanyile & Guy C. Caws & S’phumelele L. Nkomo & Ntandoyenkosi M. Mkhize, 2020. "Characterisation Study of Various Disposable Diaper Brands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10437-:d:461662
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kyung-Shin Kim & Kyoung Jin Kim, 2018. "Evaluation of a Disposable-Diaper Collection Trial in Korea through Comparison with an Absorbent-Hygiene-Product Collection Trial in Scotland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-13, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Barbara Malsegna & Andrea Di Giuliano & Katia Gallucci, 2021. "Experimental Study of Absorbent Hygiene Product Devolatilization in a Bubbling Fluidized Bed," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Tadas Dambrauskas & Kestutis Baltakys & Agne Grineviciene & Valdas Rudelis, 2021. "The Effect of Various Hydroxide and Salt Additives on the Reduction of Fluoride Ion Mobility in Industrial Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, February.

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