In order to present the aim of the project Modern technology for the treatment and recycling of textile sewage implemented using plasma catalysts, the following questions should be answered: why does it concern the textile industry? and – how can cold plasma help achieve sustainable development goals?
The textile industry is deeply rooted in the history of Łódź, and the ubiquitous post-industrial architecture does not allow us to forget about textiles as the driving force that created and shaped this city. No one needs to be reminded that the anthem of Łódź is the song “Prząśniczka”. The textile industry still strongly defines the economic structure of the region. According to statistics of the Association of Employers of the Clothing and Textile Industry (PIOT), over 100,000 people are employed in this industry in the Łódź region. people.
Ph.D. Lucyna Bilińska; photo: Przemysław Kot
Like any industrial activity, textiles have a negative impact on the natural environment. The greatest burden caused by the mass production of textiles is the huge amount of water used and sewage emissions, which have a noticeable impact on the local environment. Sewage from the textile industry is highly polluted and at the same time not very susceptible to filtration using the activated sludge method; what’s more, it may adversely affect sludge organisms. For these reasons, it is reasonable to treat wastewater at the place of its production, and the most beneficial solution is to recycle purified water. This approach is promoted by the European Parliament agencies and independent organizations, such as the OECD because it builds a circular economy.
Protection of water resources is one of the key goals of sustainable development, which can be achieved through recycling. Treating highly polluted wastewater containing dyes so that they can be reused is a major technical challenge. One of the most promising methods that has implementation potential is ozonation in the presence of a catalyst. This is where cold plasma comes in handy. The development of new, effective catalysts is at the heart of the project.
The project plans to use an innovative cold plasma technique to produce thin-layer catalysts deposited on a solid substrate with extensive geometry. This will create modern, active nanostructured materials covering the surface of the metal mesh. These materials will act as a heterogeneous catalyst in the ozonation process, increasing the efficiency of pollutant removal. The project will be implemented with the participation of members of the research team of Prof. Jacek Tyczkowski, who has many years of experience in cold plasma techniques. The developed technical solution (reactor with a plasma catalyst) will be tested on a larger scale in industrial conditions.