Valorification of Ulva rigida Algae in Pulp and Paper Industry for Improved Paper Characteristics and Wastewater Heavy Metal Filtration

Florina-Cristiana Caprita, Antoaneta Ene and Alina Cantaragiu Ceoromila
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Florina-Cristiana Caprita: Doctoral School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 47 Domneasca Street, 800008 Galati, Romania
Antoaneta Ene: Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, INPOLDE Research Center, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 47 Domneasca Street, 800008 Galati, Romania
Alina Cantaragiu Ceoromila: Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, INPOLDE Research Center, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 47 Domneasca Street, 800008 Galati, Romania

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: This paper presents preliminary results on the possibility of incorporating stranded macroalgae into the papermaking process; analyses of the physical-mechanical properties of filter paper, with the addition of stranded macrophytic marine algae from Ulva rigida species obtained previously; results of SEM–EDX analyses of filter paper samples; and results obtained from the filtration of a wastewater from the metallurgical industry, using the improved filter paper samples. In the filter paper recipe, stranded macrophytic seaweed of the species Ulva rigida was added at different percentages of 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 8%, and the addition was calculated in relation to the absolute dry material. The physicomechanical properties analyzed are grammage, thickness, density, moisture, ash content, breaking load, breaking length, tear resistance, bursting resistance, folding endurance, porosity, smoothness, water absorption and Cobb60 index. Additional information related to the homogeneity of the distribution of elements in the paper mass was obtained by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM–EDX). The addition of macroalgae to the paper mass improved the strength characteristics of the paper, such as breaking load, breaking length, tearing resistance, folding endurance and water absorption. Following industrial wastewater filtration using filter paper with added seaweed, positive results were obtained in terms of reduction of total Cr, Cu, total Fe and Zn concentrations.

Keywords: beach wrack; stranded macroalgae; valorification; filter paper; physical–mechanical properties; filtration; heavy metals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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