Development of the biological utilisation of textile wastes. I. Scaling up of the biodegradation process

The research work presented is a continuation of studies concerning the possibility of using cellulolytic enzymes for degradation of cellulose in wastes from fibrous polyester-cellulose blends. The aims were perfection of pre-treatment methods for raw, materials, elaboration of a continuous utilisation process and scaling-up of the process. Fabric waste blends of 67% polyester fibres and 33% cotton fibres were used as raw material. Cellulolytic enzymes originating from the Trichoderma reesei strain were used for enzymatic degradation. Cellulose pre-hydrolysis was carried out using the xylanase enzyme. For the optimisation of cellulose degradation xylanase concentration, pH, temperature, and reaction time were examined. The biodegradation process was also conducted with the use of a xylanase and cellulase mixture. A method of continuous utilisation of the blends was elaborated. A glass reactor of 6 l capacity was used in the scaling-up of the process. As result of the biodegradation of cellulose a polyester component with a small amount of strong degraded cellulose fibres was isolated from the blend. Studies concerned the possibility of a repeated application of polyester obtained in the biodegradation process of PET/cellulose blends will be presented in a next article.