End Of Pipe Treatment Research Articles

Management of COVID-19 healthcare waste based on the circular economy hierarchy: A critical review.

The overall objective of this work was to conduct a critical literature review on the application of the circular economy (CE) hierarchy for the management of COVID-19 healthcare waste (HCW). To describe the problem created by COVID-19 HCW, first, the subsystems of the overall management system, including generation, segregation, classification, storage, collection, transport, treatment and disposal, were reviewed and briefly described. Then, the CE hierarchy using the 10R typology was adapted to the management of COVID-19 HCW and included the strategies Refuse, Reduce, Resell/Reuse, Repair, Reprocess, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle and Recover (energy). Disposal was added as a sink of residues from the CE strategies. Using the detailed 10R CE hierarchy for COVID-19 HCW management is the novelty of this review. It was concluded that R-strategy selection depends on its position in the CE hierarchy and medical item criticality and value. Indicative HCW components, which can be managed by each R-strategy, were compiled, but creating value by recovering infectious downgraded materials contaminated with body fluids and tissues is not currently possible. Therefore, after applying the circular solutions, the end of pipe treatment and disposal would be necessary to close material cycles at the end of their life cycles. Addressing the risks, knowledge gaps and policy recommendations of this article may help to combat COVID-19 and future pandemics without creating environmental crises.

Spatial-temporal multi-factor decomposition and two-dimensional decoupling analysis of China's carbon emissions: From the perspective of whole process governance

Carbon governance is critical to China's contribution to the economic and social green transformation. Combining various factors along the pathway from carbon generation to treatment processes is necessary for the effective control of carbon emissions. This study uses a whole-process governance perspective to explore the factors influencing carbon emissions in China and identify the carbon emission decoupling status at different economic levels. Carbon emissions were decomposed into three dimensions: integrated process control (IPC), end-of-pipe treatment (EPT), and economic scale (ESS). Based on data from 30 Chinese provinces from to 2001–2019, a temporal-spatial factor decomposition model, a two-dimensional decoupling model, and a decoupling contribution index model were developed. The findings indicate that IPC is a crucial link in carbon reduction, and that ESS drives carbon emissions, followed by EPT. The technical intensity effect (ΔRI) is the key to driving carbon reduction. In addition, economic effect (ΔGP) and ΔRI are the main contributors to the gap in carbon emissions between different regions and the national average. Carbon emissions and economic growth show decoupling trends, however decoupling development lags behind economic development. IPC constitutes the main link for achieving decoupling, driven primarily by ΔRI. Based on these results, policy recommendations to enhance the carbon emission reduction potential and shorten the regional carbon emission gap are derived, providing new perspectives for synergistically achieving carbon emission reduction and high-quality economic growth.

Cleaner production vs end-of-pipe treatment: Evidence from industrial SO2 emissions abatement in China

Understanding the roles and regional differences associated with cleaner production (CP) and end-of-pipe treatment (ET) can provide valuable information for the reduction of pollutant emissions. Considering the differences of these impact pathways, this paper proposes a two-stage decomposition method for investigating the contributions of CP and ET to the reduction of pollutant emissions. This two-stage method enhances the accuracy and obtainable detail of the decomposition results. Then, empirical research was conducted by decomposing the changes of China's industrial sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions during 2005–2015. At the national level, CP and ET both decreased Chinese SO2 emissions, and CP has become the dominant approach for SO2 emission reduction in 2010–2015. Moreover, coal pollution intensity and treatment strength are key factors that need to be improved in CP and ET, respectively. At the provincial level, CP exerts a stronger impact on SO2 emission differences among different regions, while ET exerts less impact on SO2 emission differences among different regions. Based on the decomposition results, this paper presents targeted policy implications.

The Unified Efficiency Evaluation of China's Industrial Waste Gas Considering Pollution Prevention and End-Of-Pipe Treatment.

With the deepening of industrialization and urbanization in China, air pollution has become the most serious environmental issue due to huge energy consumption, which threatens the health of residents and the sustainable development of the country. Increasing attention has been paid to the efficiency evaluation of industrial system due to its fast development and severe air pollution emissions, but the efficiency evaluation on China’s industrial waste gas still has scope for improvement. This paper proposes a global non-radial Network Data Envelopment Analysis (NDEA) model from the perspective of pollution prevention (PP) and end-of-pipe treatment (ET), to explore the potential reduction of generation and emission of air pollutants in China’s industrial system. Given the differences of different air pollution treatment capacities, the ET stage is further subdivided into three parallel sub-stages, corresponding to SO2, NOX, and soot and dust (SD), respectively. Then, grey relation analysis (GRA) is adopted to figure out the key factor affecting the unified efficiency. The main findings are summarized as follows: firstly, the unified efficiency of China’s industrial waste gas underperformed nationwide, and most provinces had the potential to reduce the generation and emission of industrial waste gas. Secondly, the PP efficiency outperformed the ET efficiency in many provinces and the efficiency gap between two stages increasingly narrowed except in 2014. Thirdly, the unified efficiency in the eastern area performed well, while the area disparities increased significantly after 2012. Fourthly, significant differences were found in three ET efficiencies and the ET efficiency of NOX was higher than that of SO2 and SD in the sample period. Finally, the results of GRA indicated that different air pollutants had distinct influence on the improvement of the unified efficiency in three areas. To promote the unified efficiency of industrial waste gas, some pertinent policy suggestions are put forward from the perspectives of sub-stages, air pollutants and areas.

Investigation of water-energy-emission nexus of air pollution control of the coal-fired power industry: A case study of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China

Coal-fired power generation is water- and energy-intensive and is associated with high emissions. As a result, China has issued a strict emission policy ("ultra-low emission control") for the coal-fired power industry. This study investigated the water, energy and emissions nexus (WEEN), focusing on end-of pipe treatment technologies for the coal-fired power industry in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The result revealed that the energy consumption for pollutant removal was 1.2 million tons coal equivalent (Mtce) for the 118 investigated plants in 2014. Of the energy consumed, 60%, 11% and 29% was used for SO2, NOx and dust removal, respectively. Water consumption for pollutant removal was 13% of total water consumption for electricity generation. The result implied that this policy could reduce SO2, NOx and dust emissions by 89%, 90%, and 88%, respectively, while consuming an average of 2% less energy and 8% more water as tradeoffs. Construction cost associated with implementing these technology changes could be as high as 5–14 billion yuan in total. The synergies and tradeoffs quantified in this study provide numerical information that could assist with making decisions on the most suitable technology sets for emission control with consideration of water, energy, emissions and cost.

Drivers of U.S. toxicological footprints trajectory 1998-2013.

By exploiting data from the Toxic Release Inventory of the United States, we have established that the toxicological footprint (TF) increased by 3.3% (88.4 Mt) between 1998 and 1999 and decreased by 39% (1088.5 Mt) between 1999 and 2013. From 1999 to 2006, the decreasing TF was driven by improvements in emissions intensity (i.e. gains in production efficiency) through toxic chemical management options: cleaner production; end of pipe treatment; transfer for further waste management; and production scale. In particular, the mining sector reduced its TF through outsourcing processes. Between 2006 and 2009, decreasing TF was due to decrease in consumption volume triggered by economic recession. Since 2009, the economic recovery increased TF, overwhelming the influence of improved emissions intensity through population growth, consumption and production structures. Accordingly, attaining a less-toxic economy and environment will be influenced by a combination of gains in production efficiency through improvement in emissions mitigation technologies and changes in consumption patterns. Overall, the current analysis highlights the structural dynamics of toxic chemical release and would inform future formulation of effective mitigation standards and management protocols towards the detoxification of the environment.

A Review of Applications of Rotating and Vibrating Membranes Systems: Advantages and Drawbacks

Dynamic filtration (DF) consists in creating a high membrane shear rate by disks rotating near a fixed membrane or by rotating or vibrating membranes. The shear rate can exceed 3 105s-1 in some modules and significantly increases permeate flux and membrane selectivity as compared to cross flow (CF) devices. This paper describes several DF industrial modules and gives equations for calculating shear rates at rotating and vibrating membranes. It reviews 23 recent articles from 2008 to 2014, dealing with diverse applications: separation of microalgae from sea water by UF, clarification of rough beer, concentration of CaCO3 suspensions, treatment of dairy effluents and shipboard wastewaters, inulin extraction from chicory juice, treatment of oil field water, and separation of bovine albumin from yeast. In several applications, the maximum permeate flux at initial concentration ranged from 270 to 760 Lh-1m-2. Modules with ceramic membranes rotating around several shafts inside a housing seem to be preferable to the concept of multi-compartments modules with metal disks rotating between fixed membranes. Since the cost of DF modules is higher than that of spiral wound ones, it is better to apply DF to ”end of pipe treatment” after an initial concentration by CF.

Compliance to zero liquid discharge norms in Indian distilleries: technical challenges and solutions

Molasses based distilleries in India are now classified as ‘Red Category’ because of the pollution caused by vinasse. The stringent norms being enforced by the pollution control authorities have posed many technical challenges and resulted in the development of advanced and cleaner technologies for effective and economical disposal of vinasse. There has been a shift from the end of pipe treatment to an integrated waste management in order to achieve zero liquid discharge. Anaerobic treatment to generate biogas, aerobic surface composting to manufacture bio-compost and reverse osmosis or multiple effect evaporation systems for concentration of vinasse are now well established. Advanced technologies such as concentrated vinasse incineration, and co-processing of vinasse in cement plants are also being investigated. This paper presents an overview of the latest technologies employed for fermentation and distillation, advantages and limitations of the various effluent treatment technologies and prospects for implementation of emerging technologies. The paper also provides recommendations for further improvement in established technologies for vinasse treatment.

The Judgment of Garbage: End-of-Pipe Treatment and Waste Reduction

Many scholars have argued that systems for treating waste impede organizations from preventing waste in the first place. They theorize that end-of-pipe (EOP) treatment diminishes the incentive to avoid creating waste in the production process and obscures the information necessary to devise prevention techniques. This prediction has been widely accepted, influencing both policy and practice, despite both a lack of supporting empirical evidence and the existence of a counterprediction. In this paper, we use data describing U.S. manufacturing establishments from 1991 to 2005 to test the connection between EOP treatment and waste reduction. Our findings show that EOP treatment is associated with an initial jump in reported waste, followed by ongoing reduction. We analyze these results by exploring mechanisms that may drive this relationship. For practitioners, our paper provides critical guidance about strategies for reducing waste. For scholars of environmental management, our paper provides new insight on when facilities accomplish “source reduction” of process waste. For broader management theories of operations and organizational design, our analysis provides new insight on boundary conditions for extrapolation from existing theories. Finally, our paper provides new guidance for the formulation of effective regulatory policy. This paper was accepted by Christian Terwiesch, operations management.

Working towards a zero waste environment in Taiwan

It is essential to the achievement of zero waste that emphasis is concentrated on front-end preventions rather than end-of-pipe (EOP) treatment. Zero waste is primarily based on cleaner production, waste management, the reduction of unnecessary consumption and the effective utilization of waste materials. The aim of this study was to briefly review the tasks undertaken and future plans for achieving zero waste in Taiwan. Waste prevention, source reduction, waste to product, waste to energy, EOP treatment, and adequate disposal are the sequential principal procedures to achieve the goal of zero waste. Six strategies have been adopted to implement the zero waste policy in Taiwan. These are regulatory amendments, consumption education, financial incentives, technical support, public awareness, and tracking and reporting. Stepwise targets have been set for 2005, 2007, 2011, and 2020 for both the municipal solid waste (MSW) and industrial waste to reach the goal of zero waste. The eventual aim is to achieve 70% MSW minimization and 85% industrial waste minimization by 2020. Although tools and measures have been established, some key programmes have higher priority. These include the establishment of a waste recycling programme, promotion of cleaner production, a green procurement programme, and promotion of public awareness. Since the implementation of the zero waste policy started in 2003, the volume of MSW for landfill and incineration has declined dramatically. The recycling and/or minimization of MSW quantity in 2007 was 37%, which is much higher than the goal of 25%. Industrial waste reached almost 76% minimization by the end of 2006, which is 1 year before the target year.

Heterotrophic bacterial production on solid fish waste: TAN and nitrate as nitrogen source under practical RAS conditions

The drumfilter effluent from a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) can be used as substrate for heterotrophic bacteria production. This biomass can be re-used as aquatic feed. RAS effluents are rich in nitrate and low in total ammonia nitrogen (TAN). This might result in 20% lower bacteria yields, because nitrate conversion into bacteria is less energy efficient than TAN conversion. In this study the influence of TAN concentrations (1, 12, 98, 193, 257 mg TAN/l) and stable nitrate-N concentrations (174 ± 29 mg/l) on bacteria yields and nitrogen conversions was investigated in a RAS under practical conditions. The effluent slurry was supplemented with 1.7 g C/l sodium acetate, due to carbon deficiency, and was converted continuously in a suspended bacteria growth reactor (hydraulic retention time 6 h). TAN utilization did not result in significantly different observed yields than nitrate (0.24–0.32 g VSS/g C, p = 0.763). However, TAN was preferred compared to nitrate and was converted to nearly 100%, independently of TAN concentrations. TAN and nitrate conversions rates were differing significantly for increasing TAN levels ( p < 0.000 and p = 0.012), and were negatively correlated. It seems, therefore, equally possible to supply the nitrogenous substrate for bacteria conversion as nitrate and not as TAN. The bacteria reactor can, as a result, be integrated into an existing RAS as end of pipe treatment.

Evaluating sustainability in waste management: the case of construction and demolition, chemical and clinical wastes in Hong Kong

Abstract This paper intends to set out clearly defined criteria for evaluating sustainability in solid waste management and have them illustrated by a modern Chinese city—Hong Kong. Following a thorough literature review, four evaluative criteria are derived: environmental desirability, economic optimization, social acceptability and equity and administrative diligence. These four criteria are then applied in the context of Hong Kong for the evaluation of the management performance of construction and demolition waste, clinical waste and chemical waste. Although the need to attain sustainability is compelling in Hong Kong, our analysis shows that the management of construction and demolition waste, clinical waste and chemical waste has failed in almost all the sustainability criteria. In terms of controlling the environmental impact from waste management, only end of pipe treatment is adequately delivered but preventive waste management programs are far from adequate. In terms of waste management economics, economic incentives have yet to be instituted for most waste generators. Thus, the present levels of waste generation in Hong Kong far exceed social and economic optimal. Furthermore, although Hong Kong has been commended by having an efficient government, the ability of the government to induce environmentally responsible behavior from private waste generators is weak and thus failing the administrative diligence criterion as well. In the management of the three types of waste, the welfare of future generations is often sacrificed for the narrower, sectoral or district community interests. The myopic environmental welfare view in the Hong Kong community is a logical result of the minimal effort devoted to build up social capital stock and environmental citizenship culture. The main causes for the unsatisfactory waste management performance in Hong Kong is closely related to the governance style of the government rather than some general causes such as a lack of technological know-how or financial constraints.

Environmental biotechnology: a tandem of biocatalytic and engineering approaches

The review gives examples of integrated approaches based on a tandem of biocatalytic and engineering methods to problems in the biotechnological protection of three basic constituents of the environment, namely, soil, water, and atmosphere, from dangerous pollution. The current situation associated with oil pollution of soils and water surfaces in Russia is analyzed. The results of the field tests of the biopreparation “Roder” recently developed for bioremediation of these surfaces are presented. New solutions aiming at extending the area of application of high-rate anaerobic wastewater treatment at low temperatures (4—10 °C) are discussed. The efficiency of a novel anaerobic-aerobic hybrid reactor for mineralization of recalcitrant wastewater containing azo dyes was estimated. The last two lines relate to a traditional function of the environmental biotechnology (so-called “end of pipe treatment”). A biocatalytic technology for the removal of hydrogen sulfide and the recovery of elementary sulfur from contaminated gases was proposed. This highlights a new phase in the development of environmental biotechnology allowing waste recycling.

Incorporating cleaner production analysis into environmental impact assessment in china

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) system was established in 1979 in China. Although EIA was designed as a tool for pollution prevention, in practice it has been based on end-of-pipe (EOP) treatment control since it was first introduced. This approach has ensured an overwhelming focus by enterprises on the use of EOP treatment, rather than pollution prevention, to meet environmental standards, and it has produced a low rate of operation for EOP facilities. The low operation rate for EOP facilities can be traced to the traditional EIA system: it leads project proponents to develop large EOP treatment facilities, but once the main production lines are put into operation, proponents rarely have sufficient funds to operate the treatment facilities. This paper analyzes problems that exist in the EIA system in China, and it describes the Cleaner Production Index and Evaluation System, which is being proposed by environmental authorities in China to evaluate EIA projects based on cleaner production criteria. The paper also suggests how cleaner production analysis can be integrated into the EIA system to improve it.

An Alternate Compliance Strategy for Title III of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments

ABSTRACT An alternate compliance strategy (ACS) is developed which incorporates pollution prevention and flexibility to replace traditional end-of-pipe (EOP) control strategy regulation. The ACS takes into consideration the intent of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) to incorporate pollution prevention into regulations and provides a viable mechanism for implementation. This proposed new compliance strategy was developed after studying the CAAA regulations, related compliance issues, and pollution prevention literature. The ACS is defined by amending language in the Hazardous Organic National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (HON) regulation into a performance-based standard permitting regulated facilities to design compliance programs to meet all requirements. A change in regulation is considered reasonable only if it forces the same emission reductions, reduces risk a comparable amount, and is acceptable to the public, the regulators, and the regulated industry. In order to demonstrate that the ACS can meet all these requirements, an example application is summarized from an ethylene oxide-ethylene glycol plant. The example demonstrates that the ACS reduces hazardous air pollution (HAP) emissions more than the HON rule requires. Three evaluation methods are developed and applied to further demonstrate the acceptability of the ACS. They include a qualitative evaluation matrix, a total cost assessment, and a risk reduction measurement model. Results indicate that the ACS provided a preferable compliance program. The ACS should be adopted as an alternative method of compliance. It provides a major step in the progression of regulations from the traditional EOP treatment philosophy to pollution prevention performance-based standards.