Disposal Of Materials Research Articles

Transforming Diabetes Supplies in the Prison System: An Example of Environmental Social Innovation

Background: The disposal of plastic material has been gaining negative attention due to its impact on the environment and people’s health. Insulin pens used by people living with diabetes are disposed of through landfills or incineration, negatively impacting the environment and generating costs for the state. Methods: In an attempt to reduce the disposal of plastic in the environment and reduce disposal costs, the “Insulinadiamor” project was created, which uses handicrafts as a means of re-socializing women deprived of their liberty. In this project, female inmates in the state of Sergipe turn insulin pens into ballpoint pens. Results: During the year 2022, 2000 insulin pens were transformed into ballpoint pens. We estimate a loss of around USD 37,150.28 for the state due to the inappropriate use of medicines, which was reflected in the return of complete insulins. In addition, by avoiding landfill or incineration of the plastic content collected, we contributed to an estimated saving of almost USD 603.91 for the state and more than 80 kg of CO2-equivalent emissions. Conclusions: This project brings a sustainable and transformative approach involving financial savings, rehabilitation of inmates, and contribution to the environment. It also raises the importance of creating more sustainable initiatives to reduce plastic waste in the health sector and other areas.

Responsible Materials Stewardship: Rethinking Waste Management Globally in Consideration of Social and Ecological Externalities and Increasing Waste Generation

Unsustainable material extraction, use and disposal - the ‘take-make-waste’ model - places communities globally in a state of social inequalities and environmental conflict (the slow violence of polluting the air, water, and soil we all depend). Current waste management practices are designed for efficiency of disposal but do not address increasing waste generation and waste externalities. The present global waste situation is magnified by exponential increases in plastic production; misconceptions of recycling; and confusion with 21st Century materials. Addressing these imbalances requires cities to have a new understanding of waste-making processes and practices, reconceptualized as responsible materials stewardship. Responsible materials stewardship is an integrative new system for ‘re-evaluating-re-designing-restoring,’ in line with circular economy, and designed for resource monitoring; overall waste minimization and recovery; reducing materials of harm; and supporting production and use of materials that steward ecological regeneration.

Bringing hazardous materials into Serbia and illegal processing, disposal, and storage of hazardous materials – a criminal offence under article 266 of the Criminal code

This paper examines the legal and practical aspects of Article 266 of the Serbian Criminal Code, which criminalizes the import, as well as illegal processing, disposal, and storage of hazardous materials in Serbia. The study explores the conceptual underpinnings of the law, emphasizing its role in safeguarding public health and environmental safety. It scrutinizes the application of Article 266, highlighting notable cases and enforcement strategies employed by Serbian judicial authorities, as well as a study cases related to problems of hazardous waste. The paper also delves into the inherent challenges in the legislation`s implementation, including the identification and classification of dangerous substances, the evolving nature of hazardous materials, and jurisdictional issues. Moreover, the study critically analyzes the impact of international conventions and European Union standards on Serbian law, exploring how global trends influence domestic legal frameworks. The paper concludes by offering recommendations for enhancing the efficacy of Article 266, suggesting legislative reforms, raising public awareness, and improving inter-agency collaboration to effectively combat the illegal handling of hazardous materials in Serbia. U radu se analiziraju pravni i praktični aspekti člana 266.

Activity measurements and calculations for gamma-emitting radionuclides in concrete drill cores of unit 2 of the Greifswald NPP

Due to Germany’s nuclear phase-out, decommissioning and final disposal of construction materials of Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) become increasingly important. The reliable determination of radionuclides produced by neutron activation, the activity as a function of time since shutdown and investigation of subsequent radionuclide mobility are subject of a research project. Drill cores of the concrete shielding of unit 2 of the Greifswald NPP were retrieved. Specific activities of gamma emitters and the elemental composition were measured. The radiation transport code MCNP 6 was used for the calculation of spectral neutron fluences. A neutron radiation field calculation reveals that the maximum neutron fluence at the concrete component is located in the floor just below the RPV. The concrete structures closest to the reactor core are shielded efficiently against neutron radiation by the annular water tank. Measured and calculated specific activities of 152Eu, 154Eu and 60Co for the cement screed at the position of the maximum neutron fluence are surprisingly low. A specific exemption (i.e. release from radiation protection surveillance but mandatory for final disposal) of the screed sample according to Germany’s Radiation Protection Ordnance is expected to be possible approximately 4 decades after the shutdown of the NPP.

AVALIAÇÃO DA DEGRADAÇÃO TÉRMICA DO CAROÇO DE ABACATE RESIDUAL PARA A PRODUÇÃO DE BIOCARVÕES

EVALUATION OF THERMAL DEGRADATION OF RESIDUAL AVOCADO SEED FOR BIOCHAR PRODUCTION. The thermal degradation kinetics of avocado seed biomass (Persea americana) was investigated at the heating rates of 5, 15, 20 and 25 ºC min-1 using thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential thermogravimetric (DTG) analysis techniques in the temperature range from ambient to 780 ºC. Chemical analysis of the avocado seed resulted in: 51.4% cellulose, 42.4% hemicellulose, 20.1% lignin, 2.1% ash, 5.6% extractives. The pyrolysis products were characterized via FTIR, SEM/EDS. The isoconversional methods of Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (OFW) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) have yielded activation energy, Eα, varying from 36-323 kJ mol-1, respectively. The calorific value of biochars produced in the present study in the range of 265 to 475 ºC was 16,17 to 20,24 MJ kg-1, respectively, which are comparable to those reported values in the literature. Analyzing the DTG simultaneously with the addition of thermal energy, it can be seen that low molecular weight compounds represent the first degradation curves, followed by hemicellulose, cellulose and, lignin. The results obtained in the present work indicate that its feasible to prepare biochars with tunable properties from residual avocado seeds using a slow pyrolysis process, adding commercial value and reducing the environmental impact caused by the inadequate disposal of lignocellulosic materials.

The Asbestos Remediation: The Experience of the Lazio Region

With the enactment of Law 257/92, ‘Regulations on the cessation of the use of asbestos’, Italy established the goal of phasing out asbestos use and preventing occupational and environmental exposures. Article 9 of the aforementioned law mandates that companies using asbestos, directly or indirectly in production processes, or those involved in the remediation, transport, storage, and/or disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), submit an annual detailed report to the Regional Authorities and the Occupational Health and Safety Services of the relevant local health units (ASL). This report must include, in addition to the types and quantities of asbestos remediated, the type of waste subject to disposal and/or remediation, the activities and procedures applied, as well as data on the workers involved, specifying the nature and duration of their activities, the type of exposure they face, and the measures taken to protect their health and the environment. This study compares the annual data on asbestos operations within the Lazio Region to identify potential improvements in asbestos remediation processes. The study also assesses the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activities of companies dealing with asbestos in the Lazio Region. The data, collected and processed by the U.O.C. Regional Asbestos Reference Center (CRRA) and published as annual reports pursuant to Article 9 of Law 257/92 on the website www.prevenzioneonline.net, cover the period from 2012 to 2022. The analysis of the collected data highlights the usefulness of the digital tools developed by the CRRA and made available to companies. It is hoped that the online data submission system for asbestos operations will be extended nationwide to achieve a standardized representation of the issue. The annual data on asbestos operations in the Lazio Region show a significant number of interventions, which has remained relatively stable over time. Given the large quantities of ACMs still present in the area, the CRRA, drawing on experiences already gained in some Italian regions, is considering experimenting with the remediation technique through autonomous micro-collections. Regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activities of asbestos-related companies in the Lazio Region, the data analysis for the years 2020-2022 shows that the remediation sector did not suffer significant negative effects due to the pandemic or the resulting state of emergency.

Recycling of Solar Panels: Sustainable Disposal of Photovoltaic Materials

Recycling of Solar Panels: Sustainable Disposal of Photovoltaic Materials

STRUCTURAL FEATURES AND PROPERTIES OF MULTICOMPONENT SODIUM-CESIUM/RUBIDIUM ALUMINOBOROSILICATE MODEL MATRIX GLASSES OF BASIS COMPOSITION

Synthesis and study of the structure and various properties of Na-Cs and Na-Rb aluminoborosilicate model glasses with addition of the alkaline-earth cations have been carried out. Vibrational spectroscopy techniques have been used to establish the high degree of polymerization and noticeable structural similarity of all synthesized glasses at fixed ratio of modifying and network-forming cations. It has been shown that increasing fraction of large cations in the total content of modifying cations leads to changes in distribution of modifying cations between the silicate and borate structural units. The observed homogeneity with the similarity of anionic structure, at different content and various combinations of alkali and alkaline-earth cations, points at promising application of these glasses as a basis for synthesis of matrix materials for high-level radioactive waste disposal.

Investigating Lemna minor and microorganisms for the phytoremediation of nanosilver and microplastics

Due to improper disposal of materials, the amount of pollution that enters waterways has greatly increased. Pollutants that can escape into waterways include microplastics and nanosilver - which are used in protective equipment and disinfectants, respectively. Phytoremediation, a method of using plants to remove pollutants from the environment, has shown great potential for remediating such contaminated aquatic environments. In addition, bacteria that promote plant growth have been shown to alleviate stress from plants and make biofilms that can capture small particles. Here, we employed Lemna minor, an aquatic floating plant, in combination with three plant growth-promoting bacteria to see which combination could effectively remove more pollutants from a simulated environment. We measured the pollutant-removal efficiency of L. minor, chlorophyll content, biofilm efficiency, and water toxicity. The ability of L. minor to accumulate nanosilver and microplastics increased significantly with the addition of bacteria. The bacteria with the highest biofilm production, measured through crystal violet staining, was associated with an increase in the amount of pollutants removed. When L. minor was exposed to just the pollutants, chlorophyll content significantly decreased from 4.17mg/mL to as low as 2.86 mg/mL; however, with the addition of the bacteria, chlorophyll increased to a point where there was not significant damage. When exposed to the initial and post-remediation concentrations of nanosilver particles, the negative impacts on zebrafish embryos were reduced. These forms of bacteria-assisted phytoremediation provide insight into how treatment plants can effectively remove pollutants from wastewater with the addition of bacteria.

Assessing the Effects of Alluvial Transport in the Kizilirmak River on Dams with Local, Photogrammetric and Remote Sensing Methods

Naturally transported sand, clay, and gravel-like blocks by rivers cause a decrease in water flow and flow velocity. Additionally, uncontrolled disposal of waste materials into the riverbed increases adverse effects and endangers natural life. Over time, the alluvium generated by natural and external factors in river and creek beds leads to flood risks that pose a significant threat to life and property. These sediments, known as alluvium, accumulate in favorable locations in valleys and form alluvial beds with spread movement to broader areas. In Turkey, interventions in river branches and creek beds, as well as insufficient preventive measures, have kept floods a hot topic. To eliminate these issues, it is crucial for every organization to take comprehensive measures and increase environmental awareness by addressing similar areas in large projections. The Kızılırmak River, originating from the Kızıldag slopes in the İmranlı district of Sivas province and passing through the Çorum province before reaching the Black Sea at Bafra Cape, also harbors alluvial risks and adverse effects. It holds significant importance for energy production with 12 dams and hydroelectric power plants (HES) on the river. Additionally, the Pirinçli Hydroelectric Power Plant, with a transmission structure of 13,756 meters between Dodurga district of Çorum province and Güvercinlik and Kumbaba Villages, plays a vital role in electricity production in the region. The Pirinçli HES is located downstream of the Obruk Dam constructed by the State Hydraulic Works (D.S.I.) on the Kızılırmak River. It is known that a significant portion of the sediment accumulation between Güvercinlik Dam and Kumbaba Dam occurred before the construction of the Obruk Dam. Hence, preventing risks that could lead to environmental adversities is of paramount importance. In this study, a combined fieldwork was conducted using different methods to determine the areas where sediments accumulated and the alluvial material being transported cuts off the flow velocity of the Kızılırmak River and causes accumulations between the Güvercinlik Dam and Kumbaba Dam. For this purpose, terrestrial measurements, photogrammetric and remote sensing methods were combined and evaluated together to ensure the integrity of the obtained data.

A reusable graphene oxide aerogel for pre-concentrating and recovering uranium from water and valorisation of spent material in a cementitious material

Graphene oxide is an excellent substrate for pre-concentrating and recovering uranium in water. However, the need for scalable and affordable methods for producing graphene oxide has hindered its field applications. Besides, a sustainable strategy is required to recycle spent adsorbents and prevent them from entering the waste stream. In these contexts, this paper describes the application of graphene oxide aerogel (GOA) produced from graphite through a single-step combustion route for pre-concentrating and recovering uranium in water. The method allows GOA production in bulk quantity at 8–10 times less cost than prevalent Modified Hummer's graphene oxide (HGO). The paper also demonstrates using spent GOA as an active admixture in mortar to improve its mechanical properties. The physicochemical properties of the GOA and mechanistic details of uranium surface bindings were studied thoroughly. GOA showed enhanced uranium adsorption capacity (278 mg/g) compared to HGO due to abundant hydroxyl, carboxyl, and epoxy groups on GOA. However, the presence of HCO3− in water reduced uranium uptake due to highly water-soluble uranium-carbonate complexes such as (UO2)2CO3(OH)3−,UO2(CO3)34−, and UO2(CO3)22−. The addition of the spent GOA improved the cement mortar's compressive strength by 15 % compared to the pristine cube and arrested the leaching of residual uranium. The GOA addition and associated enhancement in compressive strength help to save cement and lower CO2 emissions. In short, the present work addresses the critical challenges of using GOA in pre-concentrating and recovering aqueous uranium, such as bulk production, production cost, and spent materials disposal.

Bottom-up LCA building stock model: Tool for future building-management scenarios

Residential buildings have a substantial impact on global environmental impacts. In this paper we present a model that assesses impacts from materials (embodied impacts) as well as from heating (operational impacts) for all residential buildings in Switzerland. Our model builds on an existing high-resolution spatio-temporal building stock model, which estimates the space heating demand of buildings, based on building property and site data. In this work we additionally include the impacts of materials extraction, production, transportation, and disposal of building components (floors, roofs, walls, ceilings and windows). Our model comes with a site- and building-specific default parametrization for all buildings, but it is developed as a tool that allows architects and planners to adapt building and site data with specific information to increase the accuracy of the environmental assessment of the current buildings and future building-management scenarios. We applied the model to ten Swiss buildings and assessed a selection of building-management scenarios to illustrate the application of the tool. The results show that our model estimates fairly accurate values of thermal and ventilation heat transmittance, operational space heating demand, and operational and embodied climate-change impacts for the considered buildings. The detailed modeling results for the ten case study buildings outperformed the simplified version of the model with generic default values for material building composition (using age-grouped building archetypes), emphasizing the importance of adding detailed material information in building life cycle assessments. Therefore, a focus should be placed on obtaining accurate material inventories of buildings in future research. The here-developed model allows for integration of such detailed material inventories, overwriting the provided default values.

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Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Geranium Leaves Activated Carbon for Energy Storage Applications

Supercapacitors have emerged as a promising energy storage technology due to their high power density and fast charging times. One of the critical components of supercapacitors is the electrode material, which can significantly impact their performance. This study investigates the potential of geranium leaves-derived activated carbon as an electrode material for supercapacitor applications. Geranium leaves were pyrolyzed at an optimized temperature and activated with a chemical activating agent to obtain activated carbon. The synthesized material was characterized using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy to determine its morphology, crystallinity, and surface functional groups. The electrochemical properties of the activated carbon were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Our results show that the geranium leaves derived activated carbon exhibit excellent electrochemical properties such as a high specific capacitance and good cyclic stability. The enhanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to the mesoporous structure of the activated carbon, which provides a large surface area and facilitates efficient electrolyte ion diffusion. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that geranium leaves derived activated carbon can be a promising electrode material for supercapacitor applications. The use of natural resources like geranium leaves for the synthesis of activated carbon not only offers a sustainable and cost-effective approach but also reduces the environmental impact associated with the disposal of organic waste materials.

Mechanical properties characterization of Ti-6Al-4 V grade 5 (recycled) additively manufactured by selective electron beam melting (EB-PBF)

Additive manufacturing, a rapidly expanding technology, enables the production of intricate parts through the successive layering of materials. However, there remains a dearth of research on the viability of incorporating recycled powder into this process, with the potential to decrease expenses and enhance sustainability. This study's objective is to investigate the ramifications of employing recycled Titanium Ti-6Al-4 V alloy powder, for up to ten cycles, without the addition of virgin powder, in the context of additive manufacturing. The findings reveal that the mechanical properties of the material experience an approximate 40 % degradation in comparison to virgin powder. In ultrasonic very high-cycle fatigue tests (VHCF), the failure stress in the Z direction for additive manufacturing EB-PBF equals or surpasses 245 MPa. This research makes a significant contribution to the sustainable advancement of additive manufacturing, as it demonstrates the potential for recycling Titanium Ti-6Al-4 V grade 5 powder for the production of new items. This not only reduces costs but also serves the environment by circumventing unnecessary material disposal. Consequently, the outcomes of this investigation underscore the promising prospects of additive manufacturing with recycled powder, ushering in fresh opportunities for the industry, especially with regards to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Disposal of demolished waste as partial fine aggregate replacement in roller-compacted concrete

AbstractMaking environmentally friendly, long-lasting roller compacted concrete (RCC) was the primary focus of the laboratory experiments using disposed waste material (demolished buildings) and lowering the amount of fine aggregate adopting the ACI 327. The best way to dispose waste materials of demolished buildings such as ceramic tiles, clay bricks, and thermostone hollow blocks without using a sanitary landfill was to collect them, crush them with a crushing machine, and grade them by sieving to a fine aggregate. Reference mixture (RM) and six other environmentally friendly, long-lasting RCC mixtures were produced with partial fine aggregate volume replacements of 10 and 20% waste material. Following the production of the mixtures, the strength (compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural), porosity, absorption of water, and dry density were all tested. The results in accordance with the study’s conclusions are the RCC containing (20%) by ceramic tiles as fine aggregate increases RCC’s durability up to (5.76%) (2.96%) (2.83%) of strength (compressive, splitting tensile and flexural) at 28 days of testing, in opposition to the typical blend, then the blend that includes (10%) of ceramic tiles as fine aggregate with % growth up to (3.39%) (1.64%) (1.42%). While the clay bricks with 10% can be adopted, the results were slightly lower than the RM but still in the specification range (minimum recommendation of ACI 327 = 28 MPa). For the mixtures with 10 and 20% thermostone blocks fine aggregate, the results showed reduction in strength compared to the RM.

Difficulties and facilities perceived by nursing workers in relation to exposure to biological material

Objective: To describe the difficulties and/or facilities perceived by nursing workers in situations involving exposure to biological material. Methods: This was a qualitative study carried out with eight female mid- and higher-level nursing workers who had been working for at least six months in the Medical and Surgical Clinics of a public general hospital. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, carried out remotely (videoconferencing) and in person, between December 2021 and April 2022. The Content Analysis technique was used to analyze the data. Results: The difficulties were: high demand; non-adherence to Personal Protective Equipment; inadequate disposal of materials used by students; management of emotional issues; implementation of the protocol; lack of knowledge of the source patient; and non-recognition of exposure by the exposed worker. As for facilities, these were: aspects related to care (guidance, reception, service and agility); control of the situation; segregation of hospital waste; knowledge of the protocol and of the source patient. Conclusion: There is a need for interventions that seek to overcome the difficulties and strengthen the facilities found in this study to reduce/avoid the occurrence of possible exposures and promote the quality of the service provided.

Effect of Granular Waste Compact Disc on Bond Strength between Steel Bars and Surrounding Concrete

In recent decades, researchers have tried to use waste materials as a partial or complete replacement of the gravel ingredients of concrete to reduce environmental impact. One of these materials is electronic waste. The problem of this disposal material, particularly outdated CDs and DVDs, has turned out to be serious. In this study, 36 pull-out cylindrical shape test specimens were used to conduct an ASTM C234-91A-compliant pull-out test to measure the bonding behavior and strength between three sizes of steel bars and concrete with different embedded lengths, including waste disc shreds (CD and DVD) as a partial substitute for fine aggregate. Four groups of modified concrete specimens with different percentages of disc shreds as partial replacements for sand were prepared. The ratio of cement:sand+disc:coarse aggregate:water was 1:2:2.5:0.4. The disc shreds were utilized to substitute partially for fine aggregate in four different weight percentages: 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12%; nevertheless, the cement-to-sand ratio was consistently 2. Results demonstrated that the bond strength is considerably influenced by the bar diameter and the disc shreds (CDs and DVDs) used as a partial replacement for fine aggregate. The bond strength behavior of the modified concrete with disc fibers is comparable with that of traditional concrete. The ACI-318 Code for the bond strength of ordinary Portland cement concrete was modified to calculate the bond strength of this new kind of disc concrete.

Research and engineering practice on space characteristics of gangue slurry filling

The macroscopic characteristics of the fractured space and the microscopic pore features are critical factors determining the effectiveness of gangue slurry backfilling. To identify the key areas for slurry backfilling, a combination of theoretical analysis, simulation experiments, and on-site industrial trials was used to reveal the movement laws of backfilling space overlying the fractured zone. The distribution characteristics of voids available for slurry backfilling within the fractured space were explored, and the interaction between gangue slurry and goaf voids was clarified. A formula for calculating the void ratio in the caved zone was derived, and a model for the distribution of voids in the slurry backfilling space was established. This model identified the main areas where slurry backfilling should be focused, namely the overlapping space between the free accumulation zone and the load-influenced zone. Experimental results demonstrated that the porosity of the collapsed rock mass within the goaf follows a negative logarithmic function along both the dip and strike directions, which was consistent with the theoretical calculations. Through in-situ grouting backfilling experiments on the ground, the feasibility of gangue slurry backfilling in the goaf was verified, and the process of interaction between gangue slurry and goaf voids was elaborated. This process generally involves three stages: initial flow, vertical upwelling, and horizontal diffusion, all of which are closely interconnected. Practical engineering applications of gangue slurry backfilling were carried out in the free accumulation zone and the load-influenced zone at the Huangling No. 2 coal mine. The successful validation of underground gangue slurry backfilling technology demonstrated its feasibility and the correctness of the theoretical approach. This research provides new evidence for environmentally friendly disposal of gangue materials.

Phyllite/bentonite mixture—an alternative effective buffer material for a geological disposal of radioactive waste

The use of phyllite (Phy) instead of quartz in mixtures with bentonite (B) is recommended as a buffer material for engineering barriers in a geological repository of nuclear waste. The recommendation is based on experimentally determined sorption properties of various Phy/B mixtures. The adsorption capacity of Phy/B mixtures (Phy/B: 75/25, 50/50, and 25/75), the removal efficacy of Eu(III) ions (an analog for fissiongenic lanthanides and actinides), and the rate of their binding reaction were studied using the batch adsorption equilibrium and kinetic experiments at different Eu(III) initial concentrations, solution pH, and solution to adsorbent (L/S) ratio. The adsorption capacity of the Phy/B mixtures increased with the increased bentonite content in the mixture depending on the L/S ratio and solution pH. The highest increase in the adsorption capacity of the Phy/B mixtures compared to phyllite was observed for the Phy/B proportions of 25/75 and 50/50. The rate of the Eu(III) adsorption was the best fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model indicating that the adsorption rate was controlled by chemisorption. The Sips model provided the best correlation of the adsorption experimental data, indicative of more than one adsorption site. The results of this study show the advantage of the Phy/B mixtures in immobilizing Eu and certain fission products by combining adsorption properties of the materials.