Characterisation Study of Various Disposable Diaper Brands

Asiphile Khanyile, Guy C. Caws, S’phumelele L. Nkomo and Ntandoyenkosi M. Mkhize
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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

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 24, 1-18

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.

Keywords: disposable diapers; waste management; proximate analysis; thermogravimetric analysis; ultimate analysis; pyrolysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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