TY - THES A1 - Yarram, Sunnyvijay T1 - Investigation of Anaerobic Digestion of Selected Bioplastics in Pilot-Scale Biodigesters N2 - Concerns have been raised about the end-of-life management of bioplastics as their demand increasing as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. The fate of bioplastic waste, especially packaging waste, remains largely unexplored in existing waste management systems. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is considered as a viable end-of-life option for bioplastics, however, current research has been primarily limited to lab-scale studies. This study investigated the anaerobic digestion of film samples made from Bioplast 106, PBAT, PLA and Ecovio (PLA/PBAT blend) under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions in pilot-scale biodigesters. The results of 90-day thermophilic AD demonstrated that PLA and Ecovio exhibited significant biodegradation of 36% and 50% by dry mass loss, respectively, while Bioplast 106 exhibited moderate biodegradation of 22.22%. The collective methane yield from these three bioplastics was 322.86 mL CH4/g VS, indicating their potential for biogas production. SEM and FT-IR analyses confirmed structural degradation of Bioplast 106, PLA, and Ecovio, while no degradation was observed for PBAT. PBAT showed high resistance to AD in pure and blended form (Bioplast 106, Ecovio). Bioplast 106 exhibited diverse degradation patterns, influenced by feedstock type, digester temperature, and processing conditions. This study might serves as valuable reference for assessing the anaerobic biodegradability of Bioplast 106 in pilot-scale biodigesters. This study further highlights the necessity of optimization of pilot-scale AD conditions to enhance the anaerobic biodegradability of slow-degrading bioplastics. KW - Anaerobic digestion KW - Bioplastics KW - Bioplast GF 106/02 KW - PLA KW - PBAT KW - Ecovio KW - Biogas KW - Methane yield KW - Pilot-scale biodigesters KW - Co-digestion KW - Biodegradable Y1 - 2025 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-21673 ER - TY - THES A1 - Muthyapaga, Sujit Kumar T1 - Enhancing Plastic Degradation in Anaerobic Environments Using Biodigesters and qualitative quantitative analysis of biogas. N2 - Plastic pollution has been one of the significant challenges worldwide. We must develop innovations and recycling technologies with millions of tons of plastic produced annuallyThe amount of plastic waste in landfills, seas, and ecosystems has been seriously degrading the environment. New innovative ideas for reducing plastic waste, such as biodigesters and composting methods, are being utilized worldwide. This research examines options such as anaerobic biodigesters and composting techniques to improve plastic breakdown in controlled atmosphere conditions. In anaerobic digestion, digestion happens with the help of microbial organisms as they help break down the organic materials without oxygen and break down the plastics, simultaneously generating renewable energy resources. This research evaluates polymers developed through a blown film extrusion process at different temperatures, such as Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT), Polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxy hexanoate(PHBH), Bioplast GF 106, and Ecovio, under anaerobic conditions. The degradation results of polymers after a specific period were analyzed based on their mechanical and chemical properties. The research aimed to assess the rates and effectiveness of plastic decomposition in biodigesters compared to conventional degradation methods while also exploring the viability and scalability of biodigesters for managing plastic waste. This research provides information on the degradation of polymers under anaerobic conditions and how the temperature produced affects their degradation, along with methane production. This information could inform future strategies and regulations focused on decreasing plastic pollution and improving sustainability. KW - PLA KW - PBAT KW - GF 106 KW - Ecovio KW - Plastic degradation KW - Anaerobic digestion KW - Biodigesters KW - SEM KW - FTIR analysis KW - Composting KW - Blown film. Y1 - 2025 ER - TY - THES A1 - Achale Arrah Nyama, Bateatey T1 - Development of Sustainable Nanofibre Wound Dressing Using Solution Blow Spinning. N2 - This thesis investigates the production of polylactic acid (PLA) fibrous mats using a low-energy, airbrush-based solution blow spinning (SBS) method with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a greener solvent. The study addresses how changes in PLA concentration and air pressure influence fibre formation, fibre diameter distribution, and non-woven mat structure, and examines the implications for incorporating tea tree oil(TTO) and pectin into the resulting materials. PLA solutions in DMC were prepared at multiple concentrations, and the SBS process was evaluated using realistic deposition observations and calculated estimates of material consumption. Fibre morphology was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing fibrous structures and parameter-dependent differences in diameter distributions and mat heterogeneity. Chemical structure was assessed via FTIR spectroscopy, which indicated that the produced fibre mats were dominated by PLA-characteristic spectral features (and possible DMC contributions), while providing limited evidence for substantial pectin or TTO contributions in the measured spectra under the tested conditions. Thermal analysis (STA) was used to interpret important PLA thermal transitions and to identify possible traces of composites within the fibres. A qualitative hydrophilicity approach based on water droplet wetting behaviour was applied as an initial indicator of surface wettability and potential pectin effects, while recognising its limitations compared to full contact-angle measurements. Overall, the results support SBS with DMC as a viable route to produce PLA fibrous mats and show clear process–structure relationships. However, they also show that better mixing methods and stronger confirmation evidence are needed at every step of the characterisation chain in order for additive incorporation to work. KW - PLA KW - Nanofasern KW - Airbrush-Spinning KW - Wundauflagen KW - Grüne Chemie KW - Dimethylcarbonat KW - Nachhaltige Biomaterialien KW - Antibakterielle Wundauflagen KW - Faserherstellung KW - Polylactic acid KW - Nanofibers KW - Solution blow spinning KW - SBS KW - Low-energy fiber fabrication KW - Wound dressing materials KW - Green solvents KW - Dimethyl carbonate KW - DMC KW - Sustainable biomaterials KW - Antibacterial coatings Y1 - 2025 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-23107 ER -