Application of textile wastes for the production of innovative geotextiles designed for erosion control

Za inovativne zaštitne geotekstile dizajnirana je gruba užad, izrađena od tekstilnog otpada. Užad izrađena od različitih materijala ukopana je u tlo u vremenu od 6 mjeseci. Mehanička svojstva materijala koji su upotrijebljeni za izradu omotača, ovojnice i jezgre užadi ispitana su prije i nakon ukopavanja u tlo, analizirana su i njihova morfolološka svojstva. Utvrđeno je da se vanjska ovojnica izrađena od jute, a vanjski omotač od uvijenog (končanog) sisala i pamuka brzo razgrađuju. Celulozni materijal ne osigurava mahanički integritet užadi nakon ukopavanja u tlo, zbog čega nisu prikladni za ovu vrstu proizvoda. Međutim, vuneni netkani materijal i netkani materijal od rcikliranih vlakana razgrađuju se znatno sporije. Unatoč degradaciji vanjskog omotača užadi očuvan je integritet i zadržana su zaštitna svojstva u tlu tijekom više mjeseci.The coarse ropes designed for production of innovative protective geotextiles were obtained. For the production of ropes textile wastes were used. The ropes made from different materials were buried in the soil for six months. The mechanical parameters of materials forming the sheath and cover of the ropes before and after ground disposal were measured and morphology of the ropes were analysed. It was revealed that jute fabrics used as rope covers as well as sisal and cotton twine used for the formation of outer sheath degrade quickly. Cellulosic materials do not ensure the mechanical integrity of the ropes after ground disposal and are not suitable for the production thereof. On contrary, the wool nonwoven and nonwoven produced from recycled fibres biodegrade much slower. Despite of the degradation of outer sheath the ropes keep their integrity and may maintain their protective function in the ground for several months

Application of textile wastes for the production of innovative geotextiles designed for erosion control

Za inovativne zaštitne geotekstile dizajnirana je gruba užad, izrađena od tekstilnog otpada. Užad izrađena od različitih materijala ukopana je u tlo u vremenu od 6 mjeseci. Mehanička svojstva materijala koji su upotrijebljeni za izradu omotača, ovojnice i jezgre užadi ispitana su prije i nakon ukopavanja u tlo, analizirana su i njihova morfolološka svojstva. Utvrđeno je da se vanjska ovojnica izrađena od jute, a vanjski omotač od uvijenog (končanog) sisala i pamuka brzo razgrađuju. Celulozni materijal ne osigurava mahanički integritet užadi nakon ukopavanja u tlo, zbog čega nisu prikladni za ovu vrstu proizvoda. Međutim, vuneni netkani materijal i netkani materijal od rcikliranih vlakana razgrađuju se znatno sporije. Unatoč degradaciji vanjskog omotača užadi očuvan je integritet i zadržana su zaštitna svojstva u tlu tijekom više mjeseci.The coarse ropes designed for production of innovative protective geotextiles were obtained. For the production of ropes textile wastes were used. The ropes made from different materials were buried in the soil for six months. The mechanical parameters of materials forming the sheath and cover of the ropes before and after ground disposal were measured and morphology of the ropes were analysed. It was revealed that jute fabrics used as rope covers as well as sisal and cotton twine used for the formation of outer sheath degrade quickly. Cellulosic materials do not ensure the mechanical integrity of the ropes after ground disposal and are not suitable for the production thereof. On contrary, the wool nonwoven and nonwoven produced from recycled fibres biodegrade much slower. Despite of the degradation of outer sheath the ropes keep their integrity and may maintain their protective function in the ground for several months

Polyurethane Foams for Domestic Sewage Treatment

The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of using polyurethane foams (PUF) as a filling of a foam-sand filter to directly treat domestic sewage with increased content of ammonium nitrogen and low organic carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N). The study compared performance of two types of flexible foams: new, cylinder-shaped material (Novel Foams, NF) and waste, scrap foams (Waste Foams, WF). The foams serving as a filling of two segments of a foam-sand filter were assessed for their hydrophobic and physical properties and were tested for their cell structure, i.e., cell diameter, cell size distribution, porosity, and specific surface area. The study accounted also for selected application-related properties, such as hydrophobicity, water absorption, apparent density, dimensional stability, amount of adsorbed biomass, and the possibility of regeneration. Cell morphology was compared in reference foams, foams after 14 months of the filter operation, and regenerated foams. The experimental outcomes indicated WF as an innovative type of biomass carrier for treating domestic sewage with low C/N ratio. SEM images showed that immobilization of microorganisms in NF and WF matrices involved the formation of multi-cellular structures attached to the inner surface of the polyurethane and attachment of single bacterial cells to the foam surface. The amount of adsorbed biomass confirmed that the foam-sand filter made up of two upper layers of waste foams (with diameters and pore content of 0.50–1.53 mm and 53.0–63.5% respectively) provided highly favorable conditions for the development of active microorganisms

Effect of time of use on properties of Maliwatt nonwovens used as slope erosion control

The additional artificial elements have been implemented into weak soil to improve and stabilize the structures. The most frequent example is use of geosynthetics materials that increase stability, improve bearing capacity of soil, protect against surface erosion, affect into properties connected with filtration and drainage. The basic methods to protect against erosion of slopes is selected planting of grass and vegetation that prevent surface destruction. The application of biodegradable geotextiles allows to increase the positive impact on local stability of slopes. Advanced geotextiles support the vegetation growth by protection against dewatering. The geotextiles with grass seeds, biomates and fabrics made of natural fibers are frequently used in these applications. The physical, mechanical and hydraulic properties of applied materials should correspond to the purpose of built structure and type of soil. The paper presents results of research of the Maliwatt type nonwovens. The analysis includes: the influence of different type of Maliwatt nonwovens and time of their use on selected physical, mechanical and hydraulic properties of these materials. The research was done by use of biotextile stitched with the Maliwatt technique that is available on the Polish market. The geotextiles were obtained from waste synthetic and natural nonwovens (RKL) with grass seeds, and innovative non-woven fabrics stitched with polyamide yarn (Maliwatt) obtained from low-quality washed sheep wool. The impact of the type of non-woven fabric on the growth of grasses was also analyzed. Research included spreading of 2 types of nonwovens on a natural slope with natural soil cover for 5 months period. All tests were performed in accordance with the applicable harmonized standards

Wykorzystanie odpadowych włókien syntetycznych i wełny do zastosowań w inżynierii lądowej

W artykule przedstawiono możliwości wykorzystania odpadowych włókien wełny oraz włókien uzyskanych z recyklingu butelek PET do stałego oraz tymczasowego zabezpieczenia przeciwerozyjnego skarp i zboczy w charakterze zbrojenia rozproszonego wierzchniej warstwy gruntu. Zastosowanie takiego materiału sprzyja rozwojowi roślinności, która stanowi naturalne powierzchniowe zabezpieczenie przeciwerozyjne. Ponadto zaprezentowano możliwości wykorzystania technologii Kemafil® do produkcji grubych, krzyżowo ułożonych sznurów. Sznury Kemafil®, ułożone krzyżowo, ograniczają prędkość wody opadowej spływającej z powierzchni skarp i magazynują jej nadmiar. Stanowią równocześnie zabezpieczenie przeciwerozyjne powierzchni skarp i zboczy

Application of Innovative Ropes from Textile Waste as an Anti-Erosion Measure

Using materials from recycling is a key part of decreasing present-day waste. It is optimal for recycled material to be used in environmental protection. This paper presents the application of geotextile ropes in erosion protection of a slope of a gravel pit. To protect the slope, thick ropes with a diameter of 120 mm made from wool and a mixture of recycled natural and synthetic fibers were used. After 47 months from installation, soil and rope specimens were taken from the slope parts with inclinations 1:1 and 1:1.8, and their physical and mechanical properties were determined. Direct shear tests were applied to determine the soil shear strength parameters in state at sampling and at Ic = 0 (unconsolidated and consolidated). Based on the obtained soil shear strength parameters, the loads on the ropes were determined, taking into account also unfavorable hydraulic conditions and compared to rope strength. It was shown that even after 47 months from installation, rope tension strength was higher as tension forces were induced in the ropes in every case. At present, whole slopes in protected sections are stabilized, without rills and gullies

Application of geotextile ropes in slope erosion protection

Paper deals with application of geotextile ropes in erosion protection of slope of gravel pit in Nieboczowy, Poland. For protection of the slope the segments formed from thick ropes were applied. The ropes with the diameter of 120 mm were produced by the Kemafil technology. Ropes were made from strips of stitch-bonded nonwoven produced from a mixture of recycled natural and synthetic fibres and strips of wool needle-punched nonwoven. The protected slope had the length of 4 to 6 m, slope inclination from 1:1 to 1:1.8 and total area of approximately 150 m2. It will be shown that installed ropes restrain soil so there is no slope failure in protected section even in case of low soil shear strength parameters and unfavourable hydraulic conditions. Generally slope surface in protected section is without rills and gullies. This case also shows that plants are very good anti-erosion measure. Thanks ropes installed on the slope, favourable conditions for plants growth are created and maintained

Modification and Properties of Cellulose Nonwoven Fabric—Multifunctional Mulching Material for Agricultural Applications

The paper describes a method of modifying a commercial viscose nonwoven fabric and its use as a modern mulching material in agriculture. The conducted research confirmed that the proposed modification of the viscose nonwoven fabric could be successfully used as a multipurpose and, above all, completely biodegradable nonwoven crop cover, which will eliminate the problem of disposal after the harvest period. Modified cellulose nonwoven fabric was obtained by staining with NB—BT helion brown, then padding with potassium nitrate (KNO3) solution (used as a fertilizer) and finally coating with polylactide (PLA) solution. The characterisation of the nonwoven fabric included structural analysis, physicochemical properties and mechanical tests. The modified cellulose nonwovens were used in the tunnel cultivation of tomatoes as a heat-retardant, water-absorbing, antiweed mulching material that prevents soil infestation and slowly releases fertilizers

Application of fibres for the stabilisation of steep slopes

For many years, techniques improving weak soils by means of additional elements incorporated into their structures have been applying in geotechnical structures (earth structures). An example of such a procedure is the use of geosynthetics enabling to solve geotechnical problems related to anti-erosion protection, as well as filtration and draining. In addition to geosynthetics, randomly distributed fibers are used. Fibers mixed with soil perform a function similar to the function of the root system of protective vegetation and enable the creation of flexible and easy to green construction. During the research, the influence of the type of fibers and their amount on erosion of slope located in the suburbs of Bielsko-Biala (Poland) was determined. Soil parameters and fiber properties were determined before their placement. Research on the physical properties of the soils and fibers morphological structure and strength was carried out in accordance with applicable standards. Subsequently, the slope stability was assessed during many months of exploitation. During the research, 2 m wide plots were created on the slope, covered with soil mixed with various amount of fibers. Fibers mixed with soil form a spatial grid retaining soil particles washed out by streams of surface water flowing down, limit the negative impact of erosion and increase slope stability. Natural fibers store excess water in soil, which promotes the development of protective vegetation

Properties of meandrical geotextiles designed for the protection of soil against erosion

Changes in climatic conditions in the world often affect the variability of water relations and soil erosion. Observed phenomena lead to removal of the most valuable soil surface layer from slopes, washout of minerals, deterioration of slope structure and also destruction of protective vegetation. Geotextiles are used to protect slopes from effects of erosion. Depending on the type of used raw material as well as production technology, geotextiles are used for long-term or temporary protection (biodegradable). Biodegradable geotextiles under influence of atmospheric factors undergo gradual decomposition. The substances released as a result of decomposition cause soil fertilization, which promotes development of protective vegetation. The aim of the research is to assess impact of exploitation time on selected physical, mechanical and hydraulic properties of innovative geotextiles in form of meandrically arranged Kemafil ropes made of wool and recycled fibers installed on slope in Jasienica Economic Zone in Międzyrzecze. The research was carried out in the Laboratory of Geosynthetics and Textile Products of the University of Bielsko-Biala in accordance with the applicable European standards. Nonwovens used for production of geotextiles were tested before installation, as well as after 6 and 12 months from their installation. Geotextiles reduce speed of rainwater flowing down from the surface of slope and store its excess. Waste raw materials used for production of geotextiles enable products effectively protecting slope against water erosion