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

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.

Algal Biorefinery: A Synergetic Sustainable Solution to Wastewater Treatment and Biofuel Production

“…The controlled growth of algae in wastewater leads to reduction of contamination load on natural resources and can also be enhance reuse efficiency. The utilization of algae in the treatment of different waste such as agro-based industrial wastes, sewage, industrial wastes (metal finishing, paper, and textile) and even landfill leachate [10,[12][13][14][15]. Waste mitigation potential of an algal species entirely depends on the algal productivity, nutrient and pollutant removal efficiency, and cost of biomass harvest [16][17][18].…”

A Statistical Study of the Measurements of the Bekk Smoothness as well as Ash on Ignition and pH Value, of a 100gsm A4 Photocopy Paper

“…Apart from them it is described using profile measurements like laser scanning [1][2][3]. The Bekk smoothness determined according to ISO 5627 at a defined pressure difference, is the time in seconds in which a specified amount of air required to flow radially inwards between the paper surface and a ring-shaped glass plate, and on into a vacuum chamber [4,5]. The value for the volume of air is for the large vacuum container and a vacuum drop from 50.7kPa to 48.0kPa, i.e.…”

“…The residue (ash content) on ignition at 900 o C is related to the content of mineral constituents in the paper sample [5]. For coated and filled products the amount of added mineral constituents could only be calculated from the result if the loss on ignition of the particular pigment used is known.…”

ATR-FTIR analysis of filter paper with mass addition of seaweed Ulva Rigida C. Agardh

“…The aim of this work was to employ the ATR-FTIR method for analysing a series of samples consisting of filter papers with different mass additions of Ulva rigida C. Agardh seaweed and to investigate the possibility of using these filter papers under maximum safety conditions. The aim of manufacture this kind of filter paper was to reduce heavy metals content in wastewater and water polluted with heavy metals, and in the same time, to make use of seaweed that is currently a simply waste in Romania [3]. The FTIR analyses will complete the results obtained by SEM for microstructure characterization, as well as by SEM-EDX and ion beam techniques PIXE and PIGE for microcomposition and elemental distribution investigation in the paper and algal matrix [4].…”