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Optimal Compressive Strength Conditions of Recycled Surgical Mask Materials for Plant Pot Production Using Box-Behnken Design |
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| รหัสดีโอไอ | |
| Creator | Theethawat Singhasiri |
| Title | Optimal Compressive Strength Conditions of Recycled Surgical Mask Materials for Plant Pot Production Using Box-Behnken Design |
| Contributor | Piyabhorn Phawchamnan, Theethawat Singhasiri, Rapeepan Yongyod, Sittiporn pantura, Pattanaporn Chaiprasert |
| Publisher | Thai Society of Higher Education Institutes on Environment |
| Publication Year | 2569 |
| Journal Title | EnvironmentAsia |
| Journal Vol. | 19 |
| Journal No. | 1 |
| Page no. | 85-96 |
| Keyword | Polypropylene, Response Surface Methodology, Face Masks, Box-BenkhenDesign, Carbon Footprint |
| URL Website | http://www.tshe.org/ea/index.html |
| Website title | EnvironmentAsia |
| ISSN | 1906-1714 |
| Abstract | This research studied the optimal conditions for producing plant pots using used surgical masksas raw material. The optimization was carried out using Design Expert 13 software with theBox-Behnken Design (BBD) method. The studied factors consisted of three variables: the weightratio of used surgical masks to graded sand (1:0, 1:1, and 1:2), melting temperature (200–250 °C),and melting time (10–15 minutes). From the experimental results, it was found that the optimalcondition was obtained using a second-order response surface model. The effects of the threefactors on the compressive strength of the material were described by a highly accurate model thatcould be used for prediction and optimization of the composite material from used surgical masks.The weight ratio of used masks to graded sand was the most influential factor on compressivestrength (p < 0.0001), and the interaction between the weight ratio and melting temperature alsohad an effect on structure and compressive strength (p = 0.0412). Other terms showed no statisticalsignificance. The optimal condition was a weight ratio of used surgical masks to graded sandof 1:0.38, a melting temperature of 244.59 °C, and a melting time of 11.90 minutes, resultingin an average compressive strength of 253 kilogram-force per square centimetre (ksc), whichwas not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the program-calculated value of 255.876 ksc. Itcan be concluded that used surgical masks possess adequate properties for use as raw materialsin plant pot production. With an estimated weight of 2–4 grams per mask, the worldwide totaldisposal of surgical masks may amount to 2.4 million tons. Nevertheless, repurposing 10,000used masks (approximately 30 kg of polypropylene) into plant pots could prevent around 54kgCO₂e emissions, representing a 72% reduction compared to incineration, thereby underscoringthe substantial environmental advantages of upcycling initiatives. |
