Energy conversion from wastewater sewage sludge
Arif Billah, Kuaanan Techato, Wirach Taweepreda
Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering · 2020
Abstract Natural rubber‐based industries in Southern Thailand are generating concentrated latex sewage sludge (CLS), which is commonly managed by landfilling practice that is causing serious environmental hazards. The purpose of this study was to develop a method to produce pellets using CLS and para‐wood sawdust as a potential biomass source for energy generation. The process started with dewatering the CLS through a decanter centrifuge. Then a flat die pellet mill was applied for copelletization. Finally, the pellets were investigated to evaluate the higher heating value and toxic heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cr, As, Cd, and Pb) using proximate ‐ ultimate analysis, fourier transform infrared analysis, scanning electron microscopy, calorific value, thermogravimetric analysis, atomic absorption spectrometer, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The results showed that the addition of the para‐wood sawdust resulted in higher heating value and lower ash content of 3,620 ± 12 kcal/kg and 4.93 ± 0.98%, respectively. Besides, it has increased the carbon content of the pellet from 28.23 to 46.26% highest among all the samples. Furthermore, the method developed in this study is not only environmentally friendly but also economically sound than the earlier management of CLS.
Innovation of Colostomy Appliance from Deproteinised Natural Rubber (DPNR)
Worrawit Wanitsuwan, Pawan Krainara, Ekwipoo Kalkornsurapranee, Wisarut Srisintorn, Wiwat Pichayakorn, Wirach Taweepreda, Pairote Wongputtisin, Somporn Wannawong
International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Science · 2019
Background and Objectives: In Thailand, the Colorectal cancer incidence rate is 127.7 per 100,000 for men and 125.5 per 100,000 for women. Twenty percent of these patients have a permanent or temporary colostomy that needs colostomy flange. The colostomy flanges that are available in Thailand are imported and are expensive. Thailand is an agricultural country and is the leading natural rubber producer and exporter. Flange made within the country would cost significantly less than the imported ones. Nevertheless, the safety standard is the main point that we considered. Material and methods: This study is an experimental prospective non-randomized control trial study at Songklanagarind Hospital. The study was approved and monitored by the ethical committee of Songklanagarind Hospital. Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) approved the animal phase. Then, the volunteer phase was performed to conduct the best one of the material formulas for colostomy flange. Result: Fresh latex has 16.66% dermatitis and no anaphylaxis. Block latex and concentrated latex has the same allergic symptoms (13.1% dermatitis) but Block latex show a lower rate of other symptoms including itch and hyperpigmentation. Block latex was selected to produce Deproteinised Natural Rubber (DPNR). Three Deproteinised Natural Rubbers (DPNR) were achieved. Rubber formula 2 causes the lowest allergic symptoms; there is no anaphylaxis and only 0.5% dermatitis. Conclusion: Rubber formula 2 is the lowest prevalence of latex allergy in this study and is a lower prevalence compared to the previous study. It is suggested that Rubber formula 2 is safe to be the material for producing a colostomy flange. However, clinical trial and data must be collected during the patient phase trail.
Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Sulfur-Cured Natural Rubber/Polyethylene/Epoxidized Natural Rubber Blends
Kritsada Phatcharasit, Wirach Taweepreda, Patompong Phummor
Key engineering materials · 2017
The polymer blend was prepared from natural rubber (NR) and polyethylene (PE) powder blended with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) by using an internal mixer. In this study, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was used as compatibilizer for the blends. Blending ENR with PE powder and NR were prepared at various compositions from 0-20% by weight. Then, specimens from the blends were produced by compression molding at 150 °C. The mechanical and morphological properties of the composites were investigated. It was found that the addition of ENR content has improved the tensile strength, compression set and hardness for the ternary compositions composed of NR/PE powder/ENR compared to the binary one (i.e. NR/PE powder). ENR contributed to a better dispersion between the NR and PE phases as observed in the scanning electron microscopy.
Effect of Low Molecular Weight Natural Rubber on Mixing and Vulcanized Properties of Low Energy Processing Natural Rubber
Saengchao Thongseenuch, Wirach Taweepreda, Krisda Suchiva
Sains Malaysiana · 2017
Compounding of natural rubber (NR) requires high energy due to the high viscosity characteristic of NR. In order to reduce the viscosity, low molecular weight of NR (LNR) latex was prepared from field latex by using oxidative phenyl hydrazine/O 2 system. LNR latex was mixed with high ammonium NR latex at 3, 5 and 10 phr to provide low energy processing NR (LEPNR). Viscosity molecular weights (Mv) of obtained LNR were 42.59, 18.42 and 6.66 kg/mol, respectively. It was found that the maximum Mooney viscosities and ML 1+4@100C of LEPNRs were significantly decreased with a decrease of Mv of LNR and an increase of LNR content as well. Specific mixing energy consumptions for mastication step and carbon black incorporation step in Brabender Plasticorder were characterized. The results showed that the mixing energy consumption decreased with an increase of LNR content and a decrease of Mv of LNR. Furthermore, an addition of LNR lowered the viscosity of the compounded rubber, slightly shortened the scorch time, and significantly changed the cure time. Although LNR dropped 50% and 100% modulus of vulcanized rubber, it slightly effected the tensile strength of the vulcanized rubber.
Fabrication and Properties of Rubber Nanofiber from Electrospinning
Wirach Taweepreda
InTech eBooks · 2017
Electrospun nanofibers of rubber blending with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were prepared by electrospinning. Various concentrations of rubber solution were added to the PVC solution for several purposes of the electrospun nanofibers. The pristine and rubber plasticized nanofibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), respectively. Thermal properties from DTA and TGA results indicated that the addition of rubber decreased glass transition temperature (Tg) of PVC and increased heat resistance of PVC nanofiber. The dielectric constant of plasticized nanofibers measured using precision LCR meter indicated that the membranes were dense.