Dry Solid Waste Research Articles

Gasification potential of municipal solid waste in Iran: Application of life cycle assessment, risk analysis, and machine learning

This paper focuses on a comprehensive solution for dry municipal solid waste (MSW) management with describes the scenario of the gasification process. For this purpose, the potential of implementing the MSW gasification process in Southeast Asia (Iran) with three agents of air, steam, and air-steam is investigated. In order to manage the MSW gasification process as accurately as possible in the study area, a thermodynamic, exergy, economic, environmental, carbon footprint, water footprint, ecological emergy, and risk assessment for the three mentioned gasification agents were carried out in the most populated cities of Iran. In the capital of Iran (Tehran) with the largest population and as a result of largest MSW production, the potential of the gasification process has been investigated at different times (10 consecutive years and 12 months of a year). Finally, by combining artificial neural networks and genetic programming, comprehensive relationships have been established to predict the thermodynamic conditions of gasification with an air-steam agent. The general results of the survey indicate that gasification with air agents has good potential for most regions. The use of the steam agent has created worse economic, environmental, and risk conditions than the other two agents. Investigating the potential of the gasification process in Tehran shows that this city has a good potential to implement this process compared to other cities in Iran, and the most suitable location for establishing the gasification process is the 4th region of this city.

Experimental investigation of Segregated Dry Municipal Solid Waste (SDMSW) and biomass blends in the gasification process

Abstract Producing sustainable energy to meet the world’s current demands is a major concern. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a good source for producing sustainable energy and currently gets abundantly generated in India. Usually MSW is screened to prepare Segregated Dry Municipal Solid Waste (SDMSW) pellets before subjecting it to gasification to produce producer gas. But, generation of hazardous byproducts is a key issue in the conversion of SDMSW to producer gas. In the present work a multi-purpose downdraft gasifier has been designed and developed that can process biomass and SDMSW pellets blend while reducing undesirable byproducts such as tar and ash. The calorific value, chemical composition and byproduct content of the SDMSW pallets blended with biomass are determined prior to gasification. The feedstock is characterised using ultimate and proximate analysis, and the calorific value is determined using a bomb calorimeter. Gas chromatography is used to assess the quality of the producer gas. The results indicate that adding 50% SDMSW to Biomass results in good efficiency.

System Simulation and Analysis of using Waste Heat of Flue Gas and Steam to Dry Municipal Solid Waste

System Simulation and Analysis of using Waste Heat of Flue Gas and Steam to Dry Municipal Solid Waste

The environmental performance of enhanced metal recovery from dry municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash

This study assesses the environmental performance of the municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration bottom ash (IBA) treatment plant in Hinwil, Switzerland, a large-scale industrial plant, which also serves as a full-scale laboratory for new technologies and aims at an optimal recovery of metals in terms of quantity and quality. Based on new mass-flow data, we perform a life cycle assessment that includes the recovery of iron, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, lead, silver and gold. Fraction-specific modelling allows for investigating the effect of the metal fraction quality on the subsequent secondary metal production as well as examining further metal recycling potentials in the residual IBA. In addition, the implications on the landfill emissions of IBA residues to water were quantified. The impact assessment considered climate change, eco- and human toxicity and abiotic resource depletion as indicators.Results indicate large environmental savings for every impact category, due to primary metal substitution and reduction of long-term emissions from landfills. Metal product substitution contributes between 75% and >99% to these savings in a base scenario (1′000-year time horizon), depending on the impact category. Reductions in landfill emissions become important only when a much longer time horizon was adopted. The metal-based analysis further illustrates that recovering heavy non-ferrous metals – especially copper and gold – leads to large environmental benefits. Compared to the total net savings of energy recovery (215 kg CO2-eq per tonne of treated waste, average Swiss plant), enhanced metal recovery may save up to 140 kg CO2-eq per tonne of treated waste.

Restoring Pre-Industrial CO2 Levels While Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Unless humanity achieves United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and restores the relatively stable climate of pre-industrial CO2 levels (as early as 2140), species extinctions, starvation, drought/floods, and violence will exacerbate mass migrations. This paper presents conceptual designs and techno-economic analyses to calculate sustainable limits for growing high-protein seafood and macroalgae-for-biofuel. We review the availability of wet solid waste and outline the mass balance of carbon and plant nutrients passing through a hydrothermal liquefaction process. The paper reviews the availability of dry solid waste and dry biomass for bioenergy with CO2 capture and storage (BECCS) while generating Allam Cycle electricity. Sufficient wet-waste biomass supports quickly building hydrothermal liquefaction facilities. Macroalgae-for-biofuel technology can be developed and straightforwardly implemented on SDG-achieving high protein seafood infrastructure. The analyses indicate a potential for (1) 0.5 billion tonnes/yr of seafood; (2) 20 million barrels/day of biofuel from solid waste; (3) more biocrude oil from macroalgae than current fossil oil; and (4) sequestration of 28 to 38 billion tonnes/yr of bio-CO2. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) costs are between 25–33% of those for BECCS with pre-2019 technology or the projected cost of air-capture CDR.

A novel bulk density-based recognition method for kitchen and dry waste: A case study in Beijing, China

Identification technology of household kitchen and dry solid waste has played a major part in improving the accuracy of residents’ separation by intelligent outdoor trashcan, which is an effective integral solid waste management tool for growing household solid waste (HSW). Our study aims to present a novel and simple recognition method for kitchen and dry waste based on bulk density. In three communities in Beijing, 270 bagged waste samples were collected, and their moisture content, separation accuracy, and bulk density, characterized. Then a bulk density index was developed to straightforwardly express residents’ waste source separation accuracy by linear regression analysis above physical properties. In the 3 Beijing communities, we demonstrated a clear distinction in the bulk density index, for dry, mixed, and kitchen waste of <115, 115–211, >211 kg/m3, respectively. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the establishment of an intelligent waste supervision system, which is of great significance for waste management in developing countries like China.

Governance tools: Improving the circular economy through the promotion of the economic sustainability of waste picker organizations

Waste Picker Organizations are the fundamental link in the integrated management of urban solid waste, and they play a key social, economic, and environmental role. The main activity performed by Waste Picker Organizations is to insert materials in the productive cycle, thereby promoting a circular economy. However, due to the financial dependence on the public sector as the main economic source, and difficulties in self-management, Brazilian organizations do not achieve a competitive position in the recycling market. In this study we aimed to strengthen the Brazilian Waste Picker Organizations as solidarity economy companies throughout the application of corporate governance tools as to provide conditions to make them efficient in the recycling market and in the management of solid urban waste. The methodology was developed in three stages: identification of the Operating Activities of Waste Picker Organizations (Stage 1); hierarchization of the Operating Activities according to criteria that influence market efficiency (Stage 2); and creation of applicable reference models (Stage 3). According to the main results, the development of reference models, the hierarchical order of the Operating Activities, and the modeled processes indicated that the main activities that influence the market efficiency are selective collection, reception of the dry solid recyclable waste, sorting, pressing, baling, and the commercialization of selected waste.

Valorization of Industrial Vegetable Waste Using Dilute HCl Pretreatment

A solid vegetable waste stream was subjected to dilute acid (HCl) pretreatment with the goal of converting the waste into a form that is amenable to biochemical processes which could include microbial lipids, biohydrogen, and volatile organic acids production. Specifically, this study was conducted to identify the most suitable pretreatment condition that maximizes the yield or concentration of sugars while minimizing the production of compounds which are inhibitory to microbes (i.e., furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and organic acids). Temperatures from 50–150 °C and HCl loading from 0–7 wt % were studied to using an orthogonal central composite response surface design with eight center points. The effects of the variables under study on the resulting concentrations of sugars, organic acids, and furans were determined using the quadratic response surface model. Results indicated that the biomass used in this study contains about 5.7 wt % cellulose and 83.8 wt % hemicellulose/pectin. Within the experimental design, the most suitable pretreatment condition was identified to be at 50 °C and 3.5 wt % HCl. A kinetic study at this condition indicated process completion at 30 mins. that produced a hydrolyzate that contains 31.30 ± 0.44 g/L sugars and 7.40 ± 0.62 g/L organic acids. At this condition, a yield of ~0.47 g sugar/g of dry solid vegetable waste was obtained. The absence of furans suggests the suitability of the resulting hydrolyzate as feedstock for biochemical processes. The results suggested that the sugar concentration of the pretreated biomass is highly affected by the presence of other compounds such as amines, amino acids, and proteins. The effect however, is minimal at low levels of HCl where the highest total sugar production was observed.

Investigating the source separation rate of municipal solid waste and economical and social determinance in Iran (2017)

Background: Municipal solid waste is a serious environmental issue in human societies. The source separation is a necessity for efficient municipal waste management (MSW). Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the source separation rate of MSW in several Iranian cities, as well as to identify the determinance of the participation level in source separation. Methods: In this study, the source separation rate of waste in 12 cities of Iran was evaluated by information from waste management organizations and the economical and social determinance were reviewed. Data were analyzed by Excel. Findings: In some cities, despite the coverage of about 90% of the training plans, the rate of source separation of MSW was less than 40%, and the average of source separation for all studied cities was 13.46%. The value of dry solid waste in all studied cities was estimated 705/000 tons per year which about 610/000 tons are collected as the mix with other wastes. Awareness and education as the cultural factors and social trust, economic issues, and the continuity of the source separation plan as the social factors have been effective in people's participation in these projects. Conclusion: Higher source separation rate in the wastes at the urban area requires consideration of all determinance in the planning and policy of WMS.

CREATIVE REUSE OF WASTE FOR INTERIOR AND GARDEN DECORATIONS

Waste is defined by OUG no. 195/2005 as a substance or an object the owner discards, intends or is required to discard. [1] Wastes are related to the consumer's lifestyle and mentality. The main purpose of the article is to present creative, practical and aesthetic ideas on the reuse of household waste generated in households. There are presented statistical data taken from the Annual Environmental Reports, by ANM, the quantities of household waste generated in the last years and the degree of waste collection in Romania. In Romania most of the waste is eliminated through storage, so the most favorable actions for a proper waste management are prevention and reuse. The paper deals with the problem of dry solid waste: plastics, glass and metals waste.

P46: Interest of analyzing dry toilets and urinal waste collected during an electronic music festival to monitor the use of recreational drugs

Introduction Various tools are used to monitor the supply of illicit drugs: police and custom seizures, self-reported user surveys, and analysis of biological samples from users and of waste water. Results from analysis of biological samples are interesting, as they prove actual use rather than merely supply of a drug. To increase sensitivity of such tool, it is important to target a population considered as potential users of a given drug type. The aim of the present study was to assess the interest of analyzing dry toilet residue and urine from urinals, collected during an electronic music festival, to monitor use of 20 recreational drugs: amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA, methylone, mephedrone, 4-MEC, MDPV, ketamine, methoxetamine, N, N-dimethyltryptamine, 2C-P, 25I-NBOMe, ecgonine methylester, morphine, codeine, pholcodine, dextromethorphan, JWH-073 and UR-144. Methods Samples (n=11) were collected during a psychedelic trance music festival (2013): 3 pools of urine from 3 urinals and solid and liquid (leachate) waste from 4 dry toilets. Solid waste from dry toilets was analyzed before and after drying (2 days at 40 °C). Samples (500±5mg for solid residues and 1mL for liquids) were analyzed on GC-MS/MS after liquid/liquid extraction. Semiquantification was performed by internal calibration using codeined3, ketamine-d4 and amphetamine-d5 as internal standards (IS). Resultats Amphetamine, MDMA, MDA, ketamine, morphine and codeine were detected in all samples. Methamphetamine was detected in all samples except in leachate from the 4 dry toilets. None of the other 13 drugs were detected. Comparing analyte/IS ratios in the various samples, increasing concentrations were found in leachate, urine, wet solid waste and dry solid waste. Conclusion This study demonstrates the interest of analyzing dry toilet residue and urine from urinals to monitor drug used. Analysis of solid waste from dry toilets seems more effective than analysis of leachate or urine for detecting consumption of recreational drugs in samples collected during a festival. Dry solid waste proved to be the most suitable samples for analysis, due to higher concentration in compounds and, from a practical point of view, easier storage and conservation. MDMA was the drug detected in the greatest amounts; ketamine seemed more widely used than methoxetamine, despite the increasing interest declared by consumers for the latter. A striking point is the absence of detection of the new psychoactive substances include in the study. It can reflect either the limits of the assay or the consumption pattern of this festival.

Evaluation of dry solid waste recycling from municipal solid waste: case of Mashhad city, Iran

The recycling for recovery and reuse of material and energy resources undoubtedly provides a substantial alternative supply of raw materials and reduces the dependence on virgin feedstock. The main objective of this study was to assess the potential of dry municipal solid waste recycling in Mashhad city, Iran. Several questionnaires were prepared and distributed among various branches of the municipality, related organizations and people. The total amount of solid waste generated in Mashhad in 2008 was 594, 800 tons with per capita solid waste generation rate of 0.609 kg person(-1) day(-1). Environmental educational programmes via mass media and direct education of civilians were implemented to publicize the advantages and necessity of recycling. The amount of recycled dry solid waste was increased from 2.42% of total dry solid waste (2588.36 ton year(-1)) in 1999 to 7.22% (10, 165 ton year(-1)) in 2008. The most important fractions of recycled dry solid waste in Mashhad included paper and board (51.33%), stale bread (14.59%), glass (9.73%), ferrous metals (9.73%), plastic (9.73%), polyethylene terephthalate (2.62%) and non-ferrous metals (0.97%). It can be concluded that unfortunately the potential of dry solid waste recycling in Mashhad has not been considered properly and there is a great effort to be made in order to achieve the desired conditions of recycling.

Marine litter transportation and composition in the coastal southern Black Sea region.

Marine litter problem has gained great attetion in regional seas and lead to degredation and threaten aquatic life in marine environment. Coastal marine litter in the Black Sea is mainly caused by transportation and deposition of antropogenic waste resulting from river outflows. Measures and regulations remain inadequate to protect the coastal regions against pollution in the region. Geomorphology of the region creates many watersheds supplied by extensive stream networks. To estimate litter load on the Black Sea coastal areas 15 streams were surveyed. Study area is densely populated coastal region with scattered settlemets toward steep higher areas. Dry solid waste load is triggered by settlement plan and leads to accumulation of marine litter in coastal areas. Regional precipitation characteristic of the region determines flood timing and frequency with very high rainfall records. Composition and distrubution of sampled marine litter is carried out by identifying litter type propotionality to total load. Plastic has the highest ratio of 56% among all litter type. Yearly total litter load for Degirmendere stream is estimated 102.25 m3/year for 100 ha. Multispectral satellite images are used to asses transportation of floating or drifting litter from coastal areas to inner basin. Man made alterations of coastal areas are also evaluated in terms of aquatic living resources and pollution. Main problems are stressed and possible solutions and implications are given to reduce pollution problem in coastal areas. Key words: Marine litter, Black Sea, satellite remote sensing.

An Assessment of Radioactivity Level in 51Cr-contaminated Dry Solid Waste Generated from a Research Facility for Verification of Clearance Levels

An Assessment of Radioactivity Level in 51Cr-contaminated Dry Solid Waste Generated from a Research Facility for Verification of Clearance Levels

Avaliação das condições de trabalho dos catadores da central de triagem de lixo do aterro sanitário de Cuiabá, MT

This paper presents a study on the Implementation of the Technical Investigation Unit of the Environmental Recycling Waste Sanitary Landfill in the Cuiabá-MT. The landfill devices are essential and integral part of any model of urban waste management. The study was conducted doing literature review, and collecting data through interviews based on a questionnaire among employees of the Central Screening of the Waste Sanitary Landfill of Cuiabá. This means that the workers are exposed to unacceptable risks to separate the waste that can be recycled, because of the mixed waste, organic matter along with materials cutting and pieces of glass with aluminum or PET bottles. The paper concludes by the need to enlarge individual protection in terms of security of employment and deploy forms and technologically appropriate ways to avoid the risks to which they are exposed workers of the cooperative. The deployment of systems for selective collection, even by neighborhoods, starting with the neighborhoods of elite that has the greatest amount of solid waste or dry recyclable solid waste and those intended only for the activity of sorting, greatly reduce the risks of accidents and the much increasing results achieved by the cooperative, much improving the income and quality of life of all these people involved in these processes. This simple reasoning must be exercised by all actors connected to the process, and there are no reasons of any other nature that may overlap the improvement of quality of life, not only of workers but of all because the selective collection, though partial in the city of Cuiabá, very contribute to the environmental education of the whole population and the economy, natural resources, to the extent that increase the amount of waste recycled. Key words: skill, recycling, solid wastes.

Methodological Approach for Assessment of the Radioactivity Level in Dry Solid Waste

Under the Law Concerning Prevention from Radiation Hazards due to Radioisotopes etc., the radioactive dry solid waste is composed into drums at an on-site warehouse until collection and disposal at the storage facility of the Japan Radioisotope Association (JRIA). The radioactivity levels of such dry solid waste that have been previously assumed and recorded by the experimental researchers have sometimes been in error. A methodological approach was investigated for re-evaluation of radioactivity in dry solid waste, prior to shipment to the JRIA for future disposal at a landfill site. The radioactivity of 51Cr-and 125 I-contaminated wastes generated from biomedical research was measured. In the 51 Cr-contaminated wastes, the measured radioactivity always showed higher values, ranging between 1.4 to 9.9 times that of the recorded radioactivity.In the 125I-contaminated wastes, 4 of 5 combustible type 2 samples showed 4.1 to 28.6 times higher measured radioactivities than those initially recorded. The ratio of measured versus used radioactivity was also evaluated. This study may contribute a fair assessment of the radioactivity levels in biomedical waste prior to shipment to the disposal sites, and thus afford protection of human health and the environment.

Characterization of a waste washing solid product of mining granitic tin-bearing sands and its application as ceramic raw material

A waste washing solid product of mining granitic tin-bearing sands has been characterised by mineralogical, chemical and thermoanalytical studies. Kaolinite was found as the main mineralogical component, accompanied by minor amounts of potassium mica (illite), quartz and feldspars. Chemical data, microscopy (SEM-EDX) and thermal analysis (including dilatometry), were in accordance with this mineral composition. Iron oxides, as amorphous gels, were also evidenced. Particle size analysis showed a high proportion (ca. 75 wt%) of clay fraction (equivalent spherical diameter of less than 2 μm), in which more than 90 wt% was less than 63 μm, being produced by washing the altered granitic rock. Determination of ceramic properties enabled assessment of the main applications of the dry solid waste. Cold-pressed cylindrical test specimens were prepared and fired in the temperature range 1000–1300°C, with 2 h of soaking time. The temperature of maximum bulk density (2.54 g/cm 3 ) was 1150°C, which is also the vitrification temperature (open porosity almost zero). The firing range was 1150–1250°C, mullite crystals forming after firing (determined as 31 wt% at 1300°C by quantitative X-ray diffraction) accompanied by glassy phase. The vitrified ceramic bodies could be used as ornamental tiles and gres or stoneware products. The resultant porous bodies obtained by firing at temperatures ca. 1000°C, or lower, could be used in the manufacture of porous tiles, with apparent porosity ca. 30 vol%, or alternatively used as supports for glazes. The combination of an adequate mineral composition, highly rich in kaolinite, the chemical composition, and very low average particle size, makes this waste product useful in the manufacture of certain ceramics, producing added-value materials.

Urea-formaldehyde foam as a landfill cover material: Simulated landfill investigations

A study was conducted, utilizing simulated landfill cells, to assess the relative suitability of urea-formaldehyde foam as an alternative landfill cover material. Research efforts were directed toward assessment of the extent and impact of formaldehyde leaching within the landfill environment when combined with natural processes of stabilization, and determination of the relative contribution of formaldehyde leached from the foam as compared with the other constituents present in the solid waste. The formaldehyde detected in the leachate samples (3–40 mg l −1), some of which was attributable to the solid waste itself, was determined not to adversely affect the microbially mediated processes of stabilization within the landfill, even though the amount of foam used during this study (2.8 g kg −1 dry solid waste) was considered to be greater than that which may be typically used at a landfill (0.5–1.5 g kg −1). Furthermore, as stabilization progressed, formaldehyde was converted and reduced in concentration. Consequently, adverse environmental impacts attributable to the release of formaldehyde from urea-formaldehyde foam within a landfill environment were considered unlikely to occur.

Urea-Formaldehyde Foam as a Landfill Cover Material: Simulated Landfill Investigations

A study was conducted, utilizing simulated landfill cells, to assess the relative suitability of urea-formaldehyde foam as an alternative landfill cover material. Research efforts were directed toward assessment of the extent and impact of formaldehyde leaching within the landfill environment when combined with natural processes of stabilization, and determination of the relative contribution of formaldehyde leached from the foam as compared with the other constituents present in the solid waste. The formaldehyde detected in the leachate samples (3-4.0 mg 1-1), some of which was attributable to the solid waste itself, was determined not to adversely affect the microbially mediated processes of stabilization within the landfill, even though the amount of foam used during this study (2.8 g kg-1 dry solid waste) was considered to be greater than that which may be typically used at a landfill (0.5-1.5 g kg-1). Furthermore, as stabilization progressed, formaldehyde was converted and reduced in concentration. Consequently, adverse environmental impacts attributable to the release of formaldehyde from urea-formaldehyde foam within a landfill environment were considered unlikely to occur.