[Global Times Comprehensive Report] Since the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia epidemic for more than a year, the problem of handling medical masks has gradually become prominent. Countries are looking for solutions, and scientists from all over Russia have proposed some good solutions.
Used as polymer raw material after melting treatment
The Advanced Materials and Additive Technology Center of Kabardino-Balkaria State University in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, Russia, invented a method to process masks into polymer raw materials. The director of the center and a doctor of chemistry Hashierova said that the method invented by the researchers can not only dispose of thousands of tons of waste masks, but also use them in industry and scientific research. She said: "People think that masks are made of cloth, but they are actually made of polymers, which are the same as the raw material of plastic cups, which is fiber plastic. We crush, process, and sterilize them in an extruder. It is melted and made into particles. In this process, fillers and nanoparticles can be added to obtain nanocomposite materials. Even if nothing is added, it is also a valuable additive for industrial polymers. We have developed a series using waste masks and different mixtures The composite material can be used to produce certain products, and can also be used as an industrial polymer component.
Kabardino-Balkaria National University Advanced Materials and Additive Technology Center, specializing in the synthesis of complex superstructure plastics for aviation and aerospace manufacturing. For example, parts made of this polymer are 1/2-1/3 that of metal, but the strength is similar to that of metal, and it is fire-resistant and non-corrosive. This material can be used in Arctic operations, oil exploration and aircraft manufacturing. The important thing is that the original material, the mask material, has many uses in itself. By sorting and recycling garbage at the university, researchers and volunteers can collect 100 kilograms of masks every day. According to Hasherova, in Kabardino-Balkar Republic alone, hundreds of tons of masks can be collected every month, which means that a lot of plastic products can be saved in the future. In addition, masks can also be used to produce water supply, drainage, heating pipes, household containers and many other products.
Treated with a new type of autoclave
Scientists in the Ryazan region of Russia have also noticed the disposal of used disposable masks. In 2020, Ryazan Instrument Factory designed a special autoclave technology to process disposable gloves, masks, syringes and dressings. Engineers from Ryazan Prefecture proposed to sterilize this product in an autoclave. After vacuum heat treatment at about 136°C, the waste is squeezed into pieces to prevent it from being reused. Then you can safely throw away the briquette, just like everyday garbage. The Ryazan Instrument Factory (a subsidiary of the Russian State Technology Group's Radio Electronic Technology Konzern) started production of recyclers in 2019.
With the increase in demand, the product line is also expanding. The minimum volume of the disinfection chamber is 21 liters and the maximum is 75 liters. This kind of equipment does not require special conditions for use, and is expected to be used not only in the medical industry, but also in offices, entertainment shopping centers, industrial enterprises, administrative institutions, and educational institutions. The factory has provided 13 recyclers to customers and plans to sell 70 units before the end of the year. The sales volume in 2021 is planned to increase by 66%.
Support the construction industry after "plasma gasification"
The Institute of Thermophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences invented another disposable mask processing method, which uses plasma to process personal protective equipment into building materials. Pelepechiko, associate doctor of physics and mathematics, said: [Medical masks are made of synthetic materials and take 50 to 200 years to decompose naturally. In addition, masks can pollute the environment and may carry the new coronavirus and all other viruses exhaled by humans."
Scientists from the Institute of Thermophysics have accepted the task of safely destroying masks and not polluting the environment. For this they designed a plasma electric furnace. The used disposable masks are put into an electric furnace for plasma gasification. Scientists obtain synthesis gas and vitrified slag that can be used in the construction industry at the outlet of the electric furnace.
Homes, roads, and building facades are just a small part of the application areas of waste mask processing materials. The synthetic gas obtained by processing is an alternative energy source. Domarov, a senior researcher at the Institute of Thermophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said: [This synthetic gas contains no harmful impurities and can be safely used in energy production equipment, heating or synthesizing methanol to produce synthetic fuel." The device can be used per hour. Processing 20 kg of waste is equivalent to nearly 6000 masks. Scientists are improving the electric furnace, increasing its power by 25 times. In addition, the device will work "self-sufficiently". In other words, the electric furnace will generate electricity by itself and power itself. At present, companies from Russia, Poland, China and other countries have shown interest in this invention.
This article is published in the special issue of "Global Times" "Russia Perspective", and the content is provided by "Russia".