본 연구는 부직포의 환경오염 문제를 해결하기 위하여 리그노셀룰로오스 섬유와 야자각 활성탄(CSA)을 이용한 미세먼지-저감 여과필터의 제조 가능성을 조사하였다. CSA의 경우, 휘발성 유기화합물(VOC)과 유해금속의 저감을 위한 여과필터 제조용 원료로서 적용 가능성을 확인하였으며, CSA의 VOC 저감효과는 목섬유보다 5배 이상으로 측정되었다. 돈모, 인모, 돈혈과 같은 단백질계 원료와 낙엽송 수피 열수 추출물을 이용하여 조제한 천연접착제를 적용하여 최소 200 kg/m3의 목표밀도와 함께 최대 40 wt%의 CSA로 제조된 섬유판은 취급이 가능한 강도를 보유한 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 이 조건에서 제조된 섬유판의 경우, 통기성이 낮아 이를 해결하기 위하여 통기구를 가진 섬유판의 제조가 요구되었다. 활성탄으로 사용한 CSA는 강도 및 성형성을 고려하여 입자의 크기는 2 mesh 이상으로 조절이 필요하였고, 표층에는 목섬유만 심층에는 목섬유와 활성탄으로 구성된 3층 섬유판으로 제조하는 방안이 최적조건으로 도출되었다. 한편 필터지(한지)는 우수한 미세먼지 여과능을 가진 것으로 조사되었으며, 결과적으로 타공 섬유판과 함께 한지로 구성된 여과필터 세트가 부직포로 생산되고 있는 기존 여과필터를 대신하여 실내외 공간에 존재하는 미세먼지 외에 VOC와 유해금속 등의 저감장치용 여과필터로서 사용이 가능한 것으로 나타났다.

This study was conducted to investigate the applicability of lignocellulosic fiber and coconut shell activated carbon (CSA) for the production of a particulate matter (PM)-reducing air-filter as raw materials to solve the environmental problems of non-woven fabrics. CSA had a good potential to use as a raw material of air-filter for reducing volatile organic compounds as well as noxious metals, and reduction capability of the CSA was 5 times higher than that of wood fiber. Natural adhesives formulated with proteinaceous wastes mostly were applied successfully to fabricate air-filters with the shape of fiberboard. The air-filter fabricated with the minimum target density of 200 kg/m3 and the maximum CSA-content of 40 wt% in fiberboard had a good manageable strength. However, the fiberboard filters was required to make vent-holes for improving an air-permeability of the filters. Size of the CSA particles was adjusted to greater than 2 mesh with the consideration of strength and formability of the fiberboard. Three-layers fiberboard that only wood fiber and the mixture of wood fiber and CSA were formed in the surface and middle layers, respectively, was determined to the optimal condition for the production of air-filters. In addition, traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees (TKP) showed a good PM-reducing property as an air-filter. It is concluded that air-filtering set composed of fiberboard with vent-holes and TKP instead of conventional air-filters made with nonwoven fabrics can be used as a filter for reducing the concentrations of PM, VOC and noxious metals existed in indoor and outdoor spaces.

Lignocellulosic fiber Particulate matter Activated carbon Air-filter Volatile organic compounds

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