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Valorization of Face Masks Produced during COVID-19 Pandemic through Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC): A Preliminary Study

Author

Listed:
  • Gianluigi Farru

    (Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Judy A. Libra

    (Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bio-Economy e.V. (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Kyoung S. Ro

    (Coastal Plains Soil, Water & Plant Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), 2611 W. Lucas St., Florence, SC 29501, USA)

  • Carla Cannas

    (Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Claudio Cara

    (Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Aldo Muntoni

    (Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
    IGAG-CNR—Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Martina Piredda

    (Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Giovanna Cappai

    (Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
    IGAG-CNR—Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the increased use of disposable face masks worldwide, resulting in a surge of potentially infectious waste. This waste must be safely managed and disposed of to prevent the spread of the virus. To address this issue, a preliminary study explored the use of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) as a potential method for converting surgical mask waste into value-added carbonaceous materials. The HTC treatments were conducted at 220 °C for 3 h with or without the addition of acetic acid. The resulting hydrochar was characterized using several techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and N 2 -physisorption analyzers. The study found that the masks formed a melt with reduced mass (−15%) and volume (up to −75%) under the applied conditions. The carbon content and higher heating value (HHV) of the produced hydrochars were higher than those of the original masks (+5%). Furthermore, when acetic acid was added during the HTC experiment, a new crystal phase, terephthalic acid, was produced. This acid is a precursor in surgical mask production. The study suggests that hydrothermal carbonization could potentially achieve sanitization and volume reduction in non-renewable and non-biodegradable surgical masks while also producing a solid fuel or a raw material for terephthalic acid production. This approach offers an innovative and sustainable solution to manage the waste generated by the increased use of disposable face masks during the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Gianluigi Farru & Judy A. Libra & Kyoung S. Ro & Carla Cannas & Claudio Cara & Aldo Muntoni & Martina Piredda & Giovanna Cappai, 2023. "Valorization of Face Masks Produced during COVID-19 Pandemic through Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC): A Preliminary Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9382-:d:1168227
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shen, Yafei & Yu, Shili & Ge, Shun & Chen, Xingming & Ge, Xinlei & Chen, Mindong, 2017. "Hydrothermal carbonization of medical wastes and lignocellulosic biomass for solid fuel production from lab-scale to pilot-scale," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 312-323.
    2. Huang, Y.W. & Chen, M.Q. & Li, Q.H. & Xing, W., 2018. "A critical evaluation on chemical exergy and its correlation with high heating value for single and multi-component typical plastic wastes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 548-554.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aleksei Kangash & Damaris Kehrli & Pavel Maryandyshev & Alain Brillard & Valérie Tschamber, 2023. "Pyrolysis and Combustion Characteristics of Two Russian Facemasks: Kinetic Analysis, Gaseous Emissions, and Pyrolysis By-Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-18, October.

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