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NATURAL SURFACTANTS IN PAPER RECYCLING
Description:
The objective of this project is to introduce new types of surfactants based on renewable materials (sugar surfactants) for use in ink removal from recycled paper. By applying green chemistry approaches we not only will solve an important industry and environmental problem but also open an avenue for a number of products that are to be generated from the full utilization of forest and agricultural biomass. We will first select a number of sugar surfactants to be compared with toxic, conventional deinking formulations currently used in industry. The main methodologies will involve measurement of bulk properties and deinking ability. Foamability and foam stability will be studied since they are relevant to deinking flotation techniques. Our tests will be performed using bench-scale hydrapulper and flotation cells with temperature and shear rate control and also by using pilot-scale units. Deinking efficiency will be measured by image analysis and optical brightness. Fiber yield and loss will be determined gravimetrically. Changes in head and tail groups in the surfactant structure will allow us to fine tune the conditions for effective ink removal. Results from our project will facilitate better, safer operations and ensure a more widespread acceptance of deinking procedures which in turn will favor more employment, higher recycling rates, and obvious direct benefits to the environment. The replacement of petroleum-based surfactants with renewable ones implies the removal of toxic components in waste streams from the process, and will lead to an enhanced recycling process and subsequent reduction in landfilling. Overall, we aim at making a better use of our natural resources.