Cellulose aerogel from agricultural residues for water treatment

Abstract

Vietnam is a highly-populated low-middle income country in the DAC list. Lack of land and pressure in rice production results in intensive rice crops, generating vast amount of rice straw and stubble that needs to be removed rapidly for the next crop. Approximately 43 million tonnes of RSS are openly burnt in the field every year, causing serious environmental impacts (gas emissions: CO2, NOx, particulates etc.) and health issues, soil nutrient loss and adversely affects the physical and biological properties of the soil, which in turn affects the rice yields and quality. However, these agricultural residues contain high cellulose content that is precursor for aerogel production.

Our multidisciplinary project combines expertise in engineering, material and environmental science  to achieve our ultimate goal: to develop an economical and green process for cellulose aerogel materials from agricultural residues for water treatment/purification. Currently, more than 60% population in rural areas in Mekong delta have no access to safe water due to prices, distances from central supply systems etc.

Rural households/farmers use direct surface water from rivers, canals, ponds for their washing, cleaning etc. with little treatment. This affects their health particularly in the dry season (that lasts around 7 months) because the low levels of water concentrate pollutants from agricultural and industrial practices.

Our project will directly and primarily benefit to rural farmers in Vietnam, who predominantly live on the poverty line ($2-3/day) and form up to 50% of the Vietnamese population (49 million people), by providing affordable materials for water treatment/purification in small communities/households.