Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries

Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries

Effect of Using Treated Activated Sludge by Acetic Acid on Strength Properties of Old Newspaper Recycled Pulp

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Naghmeh Amani Bishehgah 1
majid kiaei 2
ramin veysi 2
seyed eshagh ebadi 2
1 Department of Wood Science and Paper Technology, Chalous Branch, Islamic Azad University,Chalous, I.R. Iran,
2 Department of Wood and Paper Engineering, Chaloos Branch, Islamic Azad University, Chaloos, I.R. Iran
10.22034/ijwp.2025.2054651.1702
Abstract
Problem definition and objectives: This study and its aim was accomplished on the effect of using paper making activated sludge on strength properties of old newspaper recycled pulp (ONP). About 14 tons of completely dry sludge is produced daily in this factory, which is practically unused and is currently burie. Some paper mills burn sludge‎ to decrease the produced sludge‎ volume, but this can create problems for the environment. In modern industrial systems, materials such as green or environmentally friendly composites can be produced from these wastes and even waste paper. Including recycling methods, further refinement, Addition of virgin fibers and use of cationic additives, use of industrial wastes (activated sludge of paper mill), along with common and developing additives to improve the strength and properties of paper can be mentioned, adding chemicals can increase and improve some of the characteristics of the resulting recycled paper and make optimal use of it. For this purpose, additives such as activated sludge, which is a waste product of the paper mill, can be used in this regard.
Methodology: For this purpose, first the activated sludge was pre-treated for 30 min in 3% acetic acid and then in a water bath at 100 ° C for 90 min and then was mixed and refined with waste newsprint paper pulp at mixing ratios. The test specimens were prepared from pulps with 120 gr/m2 basis weight according to TAPPI standard and the strengths properties were measured and compared.
Results: The results showed that the strengths properties (tear, RCT, burst, folding strength) decreased with the increase of untreated sludge in ONP. Chemical treatment with acetic acid sludge showed tangible increase in the strengths properties of the samples. Fourier transform infrared spectra of the treated samples showed that treatment with acetic acid strengthened and activated the functional groups on the surface of sludge fibers.
Conclusion: The most appropriate of strength properties at the mixing ratio of sludge was at 20% level of treated sludge at 100° C, and 90 min. Also, given that activated sludge and waste newspaper are both waste, waste, and discarded materials, a composite can be made that can be used in urban green spaces and greenhouses as functional products under the name of Eco-friendly biocomposites.
Keywords
Keywords: acetic acid
newsprint paper
activated sludge
strength properties
Eco-friendly biocomposite

Subjects

[1] Lertsutthiwong, P., Khunthon, S., Siralertmukul, K., Noomun, K. and Chandrkrachang, S., 2008. New insulating particleboards prepared from mixture of solid wastes from tissue paper manufacturing and corn peel. Bio resource Technology, 99:4841-4845.
[2] Pappu, A., Saxena, M. and Asolekar, S.R., 2007. Solid wastes generation in India and their recycling potential in building materials. Building and Environment, 42: 2311-2320.
[3] Ghaffari, M., Ghasemian, A., Resalati, H. and Asadpour, G., 2012. Determination of The Optimum Use of Cationic Starch on the Basis of the Mechanical Strengths of Mixed OCC and Virgin NSSC pulps. Iranian Journal of wood and paper industries, 2(2): 121-133. 20.1001.1.20089066.1390.2.2.10.3. (In Persian)
[4] Son, J., Kim, H. and Lee, P., 2001. Role of paper sludge particle size and extrusion temperature on performance of paper sludge–thermoplastic polymer composites. Applied Polymer Science, 82(11): 2709-2718.
[5] Donmez Cavdar, A., Yel, H., Boran, S. and Pesman, E., 2017. Cement type composite panels manufactured using paper mill sludge as filler. Journal Construction and Building Materials, 142: 410–416.
[6] Mir Shokraei, S.A., 1995. Pulp Technology. Payam Noor University Press. Tehran University Publications. 501 pages. (In Persian).
[7] Horace, K. Moo, Y. and Charles, E., 1999. The future of paper industry waste management. Proceedings of the Middle Atlantic Regional Conference, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University. Bethlehem, PA. USA. P 81-99.
[8] Mandeep, M., Kumar Gupta, G. and Shukla, P., 2020. Insights into the resources generation from pulp and paper industry wastes: Challenges, perspectives and innovations. Bio resource Technology, 297. Article 122496.
[9] Rudi, H., 2019. Bonding improvement of three times recovered Kraft fibers through coating of chitosan/carboxyl methyl cellulose multilayers. Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology, 25(4): 87-101. 10.22069/jwfst.2018.15806.1775. (In Persian)
[10] Salmah, H., Ismail, H. and Abubakar, A., 2006. Effects of chemical modification of paper sludge filled polypropylene (PP)/Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM) composites. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 25:43.
[11] Husseinsyah, S., Ismail, H. and Bakar, A., 2005. The effect of paper sludge content and size on properties of PP/EPDM composites. Journal of Reinforced Plastic and Composites Polymer, 24:2.147-159.
[12] Passoni, V., Scarica, C., Levi, M., Turri, S. and Griffini, G., 2016. Fractionation of industrial softwood kraft lignin: Solvent selection as a tool for tailored material properties. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering J, 4(4):2232-2242.
[13] Standard Test Method for folding endurance of paper (Shopper type tester), TAPPI Press, Atlanta, GA, USA. T423 om-89. 1991.
[14] Standard Test Method for Forming hand sheets for Bursting strength of paper, TAPPI Press, Atlanta, GA, USA. T403 om-97. 1997.
[15] Standard Test Method for Forming hand sheets for physical tests of pulp, TAPPI Press, Atlanta, GA, USA. T205 sp-95. 1995.
[16] Standard Test Method for Tensile properties of paper and paperboard (using constant rate of elongation apparatus, TAPPI Press, Atlanta, GA, USA. T494 om-96. 1996.
[17] Standard Test Method for Tensile properties of paper and paperboard (using constant rate of elongation apparatus, TAPPI Press, Atlanta, GA, USA. T496 sp-99. 1999.
[18] Standard Test Method for Thickness (caliper) of paper, paperboard, and combined board, TAPPI Press, Atlanta, GA, USA. T411 om-97. 1997.
[19] Miri, M., Ghasemiyan, A. and Aryaie Monfared, M.H., 2016. Investigation on Optical and Mechanical Properties of MOW Deinked Pulp by Neutral Deinking. Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology, 23(4): 293-314. 10.22069/jwfst.2016.9539.1507. (In Persian)
[20] Vaysi, R. and Kord, B., 2013. The effect of H2O2 are bleaching and DTPA spraying on the brightness stability of hornbeam CMP pulp following accelerated irradiation aging. Bio resource Journal, 8(2):1909-1917.
[21] Hadilam, M., Afra, E. and Yousefi, H., 2013. Effect of Cellulose Nanofibers on the Properties of Bagasse Paper. Journal of Forest and Wood Products, 66(3): 351-366. 10.22059/jfwp.2013.36119. (In Persian)
Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries
Volume 16, Issue 3
Autumn 2025
Pages 323-331