Abstract

AGUILAR VASQUEZ, Eduardo  and  GONZALEZ-DELGADO, Ángel. Environmental assessment for production of modified chitosan microbeads with TiO₂ and magnetite using waste reduction algorithm (WAR). Rev. ion [online]. 2021, vol.34, n.1, pp.121-136.  Epub Jan 01, 2021. ISSN 0120-100X.  https://doi.org/10.18273/revion.v34n1-2021010.

Nowadays, bioadsorbents modified with nanoparticles have become relevant as a possible option in the treatment of contaminated water due to its low cost, natural abundance and high efficiency. Industrial scale processes have been designed to produce modified chitosan microbeads. However, they must be analyzed under sustainability criteria before a possible implementation. In this work, the environmental performance of a process on an industrial scale was evaluated using the WAR algorithm, which serves as a basis for possible economic projects. The process was simulated using Aspen Plus ® software to obtain process information such as mass and energy flows. The evaluation was carried out using the WARGUI software. The Potential Environmental Impact (PEI) of four case studies was quantified using four impact approaches. This analysis yielded negative values in the total PEIs generated and rate values up to 5740 PEI/h were found for the exit PEI rate. In the toxicological categories there were no appreciable values (between -212 and -1.21 PEI/h) for any case due to the low presence of toxic substances in the process. In the atmospheric categories, PEIs are mainly due to the use of fuels. Natural gas had the best environmental performance reporting low values for the generation and output PEI rates (-308, 4970 PEI/h, respectively). Due to the above, it is possible to affirm that the process has an acceptable environmental performance.

Keywords : WAR algorithm; Nanoparticles; Chitosan; Environmental Analysis; Production.

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