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

Gianluigi Farru (), Judy A. Libra, Kyoung S. Ro, Carla Cannas, Claudio Cara, Aldo Muntoni, Martina Piredda and Giovanna Cappai ()
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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
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

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-15

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.

Keywords: hydrothermal carbonization; surgical mask; waste management; waste valorization; solid fuel; value-added chemicals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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