| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Borges, Roger
;
Brondi, Mariana
;
Elias, Andrew Milli
;
Farinas, Cristiane S.
;
Ribeiro, Caue
Total Authors: 5
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Journal of Environmental Management; v. 363, p. 12-pg., 2024-06-07. |
| Abstract | |
Despite being composed of recyclable materials, the main technological challenge of multilayer carton packs involves the efficient decompatibilization of the cellulosic, polymeric, and metallic phases. Here, a simple twostep mechanochemical process is described that uses only aqueous media and mechanical force to promote phase separation in order to fully recycle multi-layer carton packaging. The first step produces value-added micro- and nanocellulose, while in the second step, aluminum is extracted, forming precipitated aluminum and aluminum oxyhydroxides. Solid polyethylene (PE) remains with a degree of purity defined by the process efficiency. The results show that cellulose is efficiently extracted and converted into micro- and nanocellulose after 15 min of milling. In the second stage, approximately 90% of the aluminum is extracted from the PE after 15 min of milling. Due to the separation and drying medium conditions, the finely divided particles of extracted aluminum also have oxyhydroxides in their composition. It is believed that a passivation layer forms on the metallic aluminum particle. The techno-economic analysis revealed a positive net present value (NPV) of $17.5 million, with a minimum selling price of 1.62 USD/kg of cellulose. The environmental analysis concluded that most of the environmental impact of the process is associated with the entry of carton packages into the system, incorporating a small environmental load related to the industrial process. The results indicate a promising option toward a circular economy and carbon neutrality. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 16/10636-8 - From the cell factory to the Biodiesel-Bioethanol integrated biorefinery: a systems approach applied to complex problems in micro and macroscales |
| Grantee: | Roberto de Campos Giordano |
| Support Opportunities: | Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 20/15450-5 - Bioprocesses systems engineering applied to the production of biofertilizers: from integrated biorefinery to microorganisms |
| Grantee: | Andrew Milli Elias |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |
| FAPESP's process: | 23/09673-0 - Development of wet mechanochemical treatment for the use of WTP sludge as raw material for the production of controlled-release fertilizers |
| Grantee: | Roger Borges |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors |
| FAPESP's process: | 22/10900-8 - Multi-objective optimization of biofertilizer production considering economic and environmental aspects |
| Grantee: | Andrew Milli Elias |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor |