Utilization of used textiles for solid recovered fuel production.

One of the current important issues is the management of used textiles. One method is recycling, but the processes are characterized by a high environmental burden and the products obtained are of lower quality. Used textiles can be successfully used to produce SRF (solid recovered fuels). This type of fuel is standardized by ISO 21640:2021. In the paper, an analysis of used textiles made from fibers of different origins was performed. These were acrylic, cotton, linen, polyester, wool, and viscose. A proximate and ultimate analysis of the investigated samples was performed, including mercury and chlorine content. The alternative fuel produced from used textiles will be characterized by acceptable parameters for consumers: a lower heating value at 20 MJ/kg (class 1-3 SRF), mercury content below 0.9 µg Hg/MJ (class 1 SRF), and a chlorine content below 0.2% (class 1 SRF). However, the very high sulfur content in wool (3.0-3.6%) and the high nitrogen content in acrylic may limit its use for power generation. The use of alternative fuel derived from used textiles may allow 3% of the coal consumed to be substituted in 2030. The reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from the substitution of coal with an alternative fuel derived from used textiles will depend on their composition. For natural and man-made cellulosic fibers, the emission factor can be assumed as for plant biomass, making their use for SRF production preferable. For synthetic fibers, the emission factor was estimated at the level of 102 and 82 gCO2/MJ for polyester and acrylic, respectively.

Assessment of Growth Changes in the Width of Dental Arches Caused by Removable Appliances over a Period of 10 Months in Children with Malocclusion.

(1) Background: A large number of patients of orthodontic clinics are diagnosed with improper jaw relationships. Intraoral scanners have become an important part of orthodontic practice and provide an opportunity to measure the changes in the width of dental arches. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of removable appliances used over a 10-month period on growth changes in children with narrowed jaw dimensions. (2) Methods: Twenty four patients were included in the study (a study group-patients, treated with removable appliances in the upper dental arch for a minimum of 10 months; a control group-patients with no craniofacial abnormalities and who did not require orthodontic treatment). A panoramic radiograph and digital intraoral scan were taken, followed by palatal width measurements in Ortho-CAD before treatment, and after a period of 10 months of treatment with removable appliances. (3) Results: After a period of 10 months of the treatment, the study group had a statistically significantly greater mean change in the anterior width of the upper dental arch than the control group. (4) Conclusions: The use of removable appliances in children with narrowed maxillary transverse dimension contributes to offsetting growth changes in comparison to children with normal occlusion.