(173y) A Computational Study on Groasis Waterboxx Technology: The Feasibility of Developing Green Alternatives Made of Poly-Lactic Acid and Polybutylene Succinate

Developing water-saving technologies like the Groasis Waterboxx (GW) using environmentally friendly materials presents a reasonable idea to prevent the harmful impacts of the agricultural industry on the environment and society. In this study, we simulated the injection molding process of green GWs made from poly-lactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) to analyze their performance under rigorous conditions. Using Autodesk Moldflow, we investigated how different process parameters affected cycle time, energy consumption, and the final product's mechanical and visual qualities, comparing them with polypropylene (PP). Additionally, we simulated GW performance in the Sahara Desert using Abaqus. The simulations showed that PLA had shorter injection and cooling times compared to PP, resulting in a 44% and 56% reduction, respectively, indicating faster production. While PBS-based parts exhibited mechanical qualities similar to PP, PLA demonstrated lower shrinkage and warpage. However, environmental simulations suggested that PLA might not be practical in areas with high thermal stresses due to its glass transition temperature overlapping with ground temperature, leading to potential failure near the land surface. Despite its biodegradability, PBS demonstrated a high safety factor of approximately 82% compared to PP samples. Although the injection of PBS consumes more energy due to higher required pressure, replacing PP with PBS is justified considering its efficiency and eco-friendliness. These findings align with experimental results reported by the manufacturer and emphasize the importance of considering both performance and environmental factors when developing sustainable agricultural technologies.