Pilot-Scale production of bacterial cellulose (BC) from paper sludge and Its application as an enhancer for paper quality

Abstract

This study was carried out with the objective of testing the production of bacterial cellulose (BC) from paper waste sludge on a pilot scale and evaluating the application of BC as a reinforcing filler in pulp paper production. Experimental methods, data collection and analysis, combined with material and energy balance were used to evaluate the efficiency of pilot-scale BC production. To evaluate paper quality, methods of measuring bursting, ring compression and scanning electron microscopy were applied. The results obtained were recorded as follows: From 100 kg of wet paper sludge/batch (humidity: 83.5%), hydrolysis with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and fermentation with Acetobacter xylinum bacteria produced 132.3kg of wet BC (96% moisture by weight). The energy required to produce one batch is 96.65 MJ. In particular, the energy supplied to the boiler accounts for the largest amount (76.93 MJ) compared to the remaining devices. Paper produced mixed with 20% BC has a bursting strength of 2.00 kgf/cm² (0% BC is 1.37 kgf/cm²), and ring compression reaches the highest value of 12.89 kgf/m at 12 % BC. Thus, BC has been proven to be a filler that helps increase the properties of paper.