Waste Minimization Opportunities Research Articles

Municipal Solid Waste and Utility Consumption in Taiwan

In Taiwan, 3,130,735 t of refuse for disposal and 4,113,808 t of recycled recyclable waste were generated in 2017. The government of Taiwan has been actively promoting a resource recycling program since July 1998. To pursue sustainability and locate waste minimization opportunities, the correlation between utility consumption and population and the quantity of refuse and recyclable waste from municipalities in Taiwan was studied. There are six special municipalities and 16 cities and counties covering a great variety of urbanization and settlement characteristics, such as registered populations, electricity, and water consumption. The above parameters of the municipalities were correlated with the quantities of refuse and recycled urban waste. Residential electricity consumption, overall population, and business electricity consumption were found to be major parameters correlating the generation of refuse and recycled urban waste. Due to their higher levels of business activities, the waste generation behaviours of these six special municipalities are more diverse than those of the 16 municipalities. Due to the discrepancy of the registered population system, the utility consumption values within administrative boundaries can better predict municipal solid waste, (MSW) generation than utility consumption at a per capita. Utility consumption within administrative boundaries is more convenient as a measure to predict refuse and recycled urban waste than other complex social–economic indicators.

Applying Green Metrics to Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Sulfur-Substituted Conjugated Dienes Based on Atom-Economic Hydrothiolation

An efficient two-step procedure to get synthetically useful sulfur-functionalized dienes is evaluated. The overall transformation can be classified as an atom-economic hydrothiolation of alkynes followed by elimination of water at the dehydration step. Taking the alkynes hydrofunctionalization reaction as a representative example, critical analysis from the point of view of quantitative green metrics was carried out and key stumbling blocks in the area of atom-economic transformations were discussed. Ecological acceptability of the whole process was assessed by thorough examination of the yields and careful adjustment of the synthetic conditions, considering the opportunities for waste minimization. Careful optimization of the reaction conditions was followed by selection of environmentally friendly protocols for accessing pure product. Green metrics of synthetic procedures as well as different isolation techniques (column chromatography, dry column chromatography, extraction, and distillation) were compa...

Towards sustainable construction waste minimization and management in Zambia and beyond

Zambian Construction is one of the fastest growing sectors (increasing at 15.3% pa in 2012) from residential and commercial developments and mining infrastructure. The industry in Zambia, like elsewhere, is composed of many players including designers, contractors, regulators, manufacturers and suppliers of construction materials. However, opportunities for sustainable construction waste minimization and management (WMM) have been minimal.Most research in developing countries has been targeted on Municipal Waste Management rather than Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste. C&D Waste is generally in form of masonry units, mortar, timber, glass, steel and plastic and most generation is arises from masonry units and mortar. In the developed countries guidelines do exist, supported by regulation and legislation.This paper addresses the status on C&D waste management in Zambia as compared to the rest of the world, mainly through literature review, with a view to recommending strategies for sustainable Waste Minimization and Management. As highlighted by several researchers and institutions, worldwide, WMM requires partnerships of strategies, which covers processes over the entire life cycle of construction infrastructure. The paper highlights some of best practices towards sustainable C&D waste minimization and management elsewhere. Finally, recommendations are made on how to achieve best practice in Zambia, sub-region and beyond.Keywords: Municipal Waste, Construction and Demolition waste, design and construction practices

Waste Management in Crude Oil Processing: Crude Oil Dehydration and Desalting

Some of the techniques that are proposed for waste management would include: modifications in process design or in used process equipment; choosing alternative approaches or routes for a given process; and recycling. Such methods are recommended in order to mitigate waste formation. Our main aim in this paper is to examine in details crude oil treatment, which involves dehydration and desalting in order to unearth and seize opportunities for waste minimization. In addition, some problems that would lead to waste formation are identified, and their solutions are recommended. Some factors that are relevant to waste formation are investigated. They include: desalting temperature, wash water ratio (dilution water), and type of de-emulsifiers.

Water resources management at the fish processing industry using waste minimization approach

This study investigated waste minimization opportunities and implementation strategy at the fish processing industry. This study used quantitative approach with field observation and open list of questionnare method to identify resources saving. The result of this study showed that fish processing industry (Company XYZ) was not implemented a waste minimization approach. The water resources saving reached 89.76 m3 or 27.2% from fresh water per a week of the production process and water consumption saving for washing process reached 30%. The utilization of solid waste can generate economic potential reached 26% of raw material, while liquid waste reached 51% of water consumption. The waste minimization approach hopefully would assist interested the company and bring both increase environmental performance and competitive advantage in the whole fish processing industry, especially in Indonesia.

A Novel Scheduling Approach to Waste Minimization in Process Industry

Waste minimization opportunities could be of great importance for decreasing the waste pollution load and production costs. A formulation of multi-objective optimization problems is proposed for the optimal design of chemical processes with waste minimization. As an illustrating example, a problem of optimal design of multipurpose chemical processes was solved. The approach developed is shown to be effective for solving problems of optimal design of chemical processes with waste minimization.

GREENING THE VALUE STREAM: TOWARDS AN ENVIRONMENTAL INDEX

Lean is all about the removal of waste. Typically, waste is considered that which is non-value added. Lean takes a process view and calls it a value stream (the process from the start to end product). The value stream is typically documented with a value stream map (VSM). The value stream map contains pertinent details to enable improvement. These details usually consist of a cycle time, changeover time, and number of shifts and other items of interest. A mechanism for measuring items for improvement is required for notation on this map. This paper presents a preliminary investigation into a method to calculate an environmental index for incorporation into a value stream map to increase opportunities for waste minimization.

Waste minimization techniques and options for the wet and pretreatment sections of coil coating plants

AbstractWaste minimization has proven successful in recent years for many companies in reducing their raw material and utility consumption and costs as well as their waste‐treatment and disposal costs. Although waste minimization opportunities can be identified through observation of plant operation practices and through application of generalized heuristic principles, many opportunities are determined only through analysis of plant data. In this study, two preassessment techniques (scoping audit and true cost of waste assessment) and two techniques for a more detailed assessment (mass balances and monitoring and targeting) were evaluated to determine whether they identified similar waste minimization opportunities on two coil coating lines. All techniques identified similar waste minimization opportunities, although the true cost of waste assessment and the monitoring and targeting analysis were found to be the most accurate in prioritizing the waste minimization opportunities. The raw material “scope to save” percentage in the scoping audit requires modification for application to South African industry. General waste minimization options for the wet and pretreatment sections of the coil coating industry are also presented. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 23: 185–193, 2004

Municipal Solid Waste Utilization for Integrated Cement Processing with Waste Minimization: A Pilot Scale Proposal

A novel design of an integrated process for cement production incorporating municipal solid waste (MSW) separation and combustion has been developed. The novel design offers significant opportunities for waste minimization. The MSW combustion system design incorporates the use of supplementary fuel from waste marine oil. Very high temperature, 1200C, high turbulence and high residence time, >4 s, are achieved. This results in very high burnout of MSW, resulting in negligible particulate organic matter to form dioxin by de-novo synthesis. The energy produced is used for the cement process calcination of limestone and residual heat is converted into energy to drive the cement plant. The calcination process itself is used as a large scrubber to remove SOx and HCl, the latter minimizing the chance of dioxin formation further. A front end materials recovery and recycling facility, MRRF, is used to remove valuable recyclable components, chlorine-based plastics and metal-containing materials, such as batteries. The combustion of the MSW achieves a 85–90% volume reduction and the MSW ash is used as a feedstock for the production of the cement clinker.

Integrated decision support system for waste minimization analysis in chemical processes.

The need to build and operate environmentally friendly plants has challenged the chemical industry to consider waste minimization or even elimination starting from the early stages of process development. A thorough waste minimization analysis requires specialized expertise and is laborious, time-consuming, expensive, and knowledge-intensive. This has caused a major technical barrier for implementing waste minimization programswithin the industry. Previously, we had reported a systematic methodology and a knowledge-based system, called ENVOPExpert, for identifying waste minimization opportunities in chemical processes. In this paper, we propose an integrated qualitative-quantitative methodology to identify waste minimization alternatives and assess their efficacy in terms of environmental impact and process economics. A qualitative analysis is first conducted to identify the sources of wastes and to propose alternatives for eliminating or minimizing them. Environmental impact of each alternative is then calculated by doing a quantitative pollutant balance. The capital expenditure required for implementing the alternative and the resulting plant operating costs are also calculated and used in the evaluation of the waste minimization alternatives. Through this, practical and cost-effective options can be identified. This methodology has been implemented as an integrated decision support system and tested using the hydrodealkylation process case study with satisfactory results.

Radioactive waste minimization implications of clinically-indicated exsanguination procedures.

Exsanguination is a method of animal euthanasia approved for use in specific circumstances. Animals undergoing exsanguination are fully anesthetized, and the blood is removed resulting in hypovolemia. In situations where radioactive materials are used as part of a research protocol that remain predominantly suspended in the blood, the exsanguination procedure can result in a significant lowering of residual radioactivity content. This reduction can greatly affect the types of waste management and minimization options that can be subsequently applied. In this study, data were collected from 20 rabbits injected with approximately 29.6 MBq (0.8 mCi) of tritiated thymidine as part of a percutaneous transluminal carotid artery angioplasty study. Residual concentrations of radioactivity were consistently reduced by an average of 88%. The reduction was very significant in this instance, since the residual activities were below the established exemption limit of 1.85 kBq g(-1) (0.05 microCi g(-1)) for disposal of these wastes as non-radioactive. Although the exsanguination procedure can result in significant waste minimization opportunities in certain circumstances, this should not be the rationale for its use. Rather, the method of euthanasia should be based exclusively on sound animal care and use principles, and waste management strategies should then be made following that decision. Health Phys. 79(3):291-293; 2000 Key words: waste, low-level; waste management; radiation protection; blood

A case study of an institutional solid waste environmental management system

An institutional solid waste environmental management system (SW-EMS) developed and implemented at the Whiteshell Laboratories of Atomic Energy Canada Limited in Pinawa, Canada, has been reviewed. The case study demonstrated the strengths and weaknesses of a simple, low-cost SW-EMS. In 1994, the institution launched a Go Green in the Workplace Programme. First, a waste audit was conducted to assess waste minimization opportunities and to measure the amount of waste generated at the institution. New waste minimization initiatives were then put in place and a second audit was conducted in 1996. A new audit methodology, using visual assessment units, reduced the cost of measuring the waste materials. These units were developed for each material and then used to measure the amount of waste being generated. Weight or volume units were not used in the audit. Results of the audits showed an increase in recycled units, from 3% in 1995 to 71% in 1996. The total units of waste generated increased by 29% in 1996. This was due to a 108% increase in the number of cardboard boxes in 1996. Overall the findings suggest the SW-EMS was successful in significantly reducing the waste sent to the landfill. The success was due in a large part to the involvement of all the stakeholders during the initial waste audit. This SW-EMS also demonstrated what can be achieved with limited staff and financial resources. The new audit methodology, however, did not allow for easy comparability to other institutions because the units are site specific. As most waste reduction targets are based on weight, it was recommended that a study be completed to determine the weight of each of the visual assessment units. The data could be used to convert the visual assessment units into weight equivalents. Further recommendations for improvement to the SW-EMS were: (1) a new audit strategy should be developed that accounts for the variability of the waste generation data; (2) the mixed waste stream should be characterized; (3) an on-site composting strategy should be implemented; and (4) the Purchasing and Accounting departments should become more involved in the programme.1998 Academic Press Limited

Total Assessment Evaluation Of a Cupola-based to Electric Induction Furnace Replacement

This article highlights a very important aspect of a broader effort which addresses the post-implementation follow-up of a total assessment audit (TAA) performed at a mid-size Iowa foundry by the Iowa State University`s Center for Building Energy Research (ISUCBER). One of the major goals of a TAA is to analyze and document the impact of implementing energy conservation, waste minimization, and productivity enhancement opportunities at a facility. The main focus of this study is the replacement of a coke-fired cupola melting operation with one which utilizes electric induction furnaces (EIFs) instead. This work contrasts the cupola-based melting operating with the EIF-based operation. The comparison is made on the basis of production schedules, energy usage, and environmental considerations. A cost analysis based on energy utilization and labor cost differences is also presented. One of the major findings of this study was that the melting effectiveness of the EIF-based operation (i.e., the ability to provide the required heat to melt the charge components) is approximately 51 percent versus that of about 20 percent for the cupola. Therefore, the replacement project has not only led to a more environmentally-friendly approach but also to a more efficient and productive melting operation. In fact, despitemore » an increase in overall electricity consumption, the overall energy consumption decreased due to the elimination of coke. The annual cost savings reflected, which include energy and labor costs, are expected to be approximately $0.0198 per pound of iron melted. This corresponds to an overall cost reduction of about 27 percent.« less

Water and Wastewater Minimization: the Aire and Calder Project

AbstractThe reduction of the waste of raw materials at source using clean technologies, recycling, and good housekeeping has considerable benefits for both the environment and industry. A demonstration project on wastewater minimization was completed in 1995 in the Aire and Calder catchments of West Yorkshire. The findings indicated cost savings for eleven firms of over $3 million/annum and further opportunities which, when implemented, could realize another $1 million/annum. The reduction in the amount of wastewater discharged either to sewer or river was 27%, with a potential to increase to over 40%. The payback period for 63% of the waste minimization opportunities is less than one year and many involve only a small initial investment. Waste minimization when widely adopted has prospects for cutting industry's costs, reducing demand for water and reducing the volume of effluent produced.

Global strategy for energy and waste analysis in scheduling and planning of multiproduct batch chemical processes

Energy integration and waste minimization have received increasing attention in the chemical industry. Recent studies have addressed the specific problems that arise in batch chemical processes. However, a production plan built up using schedules developed beforehand may become inefficient or even fail to attain its production targets. Furthermore, production plans satisfying demand objectives may reduce or even eliminate energy integration or waste minimization opportunities. In this work, waste and energy minimization are treated as an integral part of the constrained production scheduling problem with limited resources. The methodology developed is based on a comprehensive and rigorous modelling framework used to describe the detailed batch process operations as a preliminary step towards their optimization. The methodology will be presented and results from case studies will be provided to illustrate the complex interaction between energy integration, waste minimization and production planning in multiproduct batch processes.

Review and analysis of renewable feedstocks for the production of commodity chemicals

Several biomass feedstocks were analyzed for their suitability in chemicals production by industry. Feedstocks included dedicated feedstock crops, industrial residuals, and conventional food crops. The factors that were examined included price of raw materials, degree of raw material preprocessing necessary, storage requirements, potential fermentable sugar yield, opportunities for waste minimization, level of technology base, crop hardiness, and land usage. The following conclusions were made: (1) the US has great potential for controlling the direction of a biomass-based chemicals industry because domestic supplies of raw feedstock materials are in excess of what is required for the production of many commodity chemicals, and (2) of the representative feedstocks that were analyzed, cellulosic industrial residuals and fermentable sugar-containing industrial residuals were the most promising prospects.

Environmental life‐cycle inventory of detergent‐grade surfactant sourcing and production

Life‐cycle inventories were compiled to characterize natural resource requirements and environmental emissions associated with the sourcing and production of selected, detergent‐grade surfactants and surfactant feedstocks. Petrochemical surfactant types examined were linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, alcohol sulfate (AS), alcohol ethoxylate (AE) and alcohol ethoxylate sulfate (AES). Oleochemical surfactants derived from palm oil, palm kernel oil and inedible tallow were AS, AE, AES and (for palm oil and tallow) methyl ester sulfonate. It was determined that natural resource requirements were primarily related to the source of feedstock and secondarily to surfactant type. Likewise, the composition and mass of atmospheric, aqueous and solid emissions were principally determined by feedstock source. Energy requirements varied as a function of both feedstock and surfactant type. The inventories do not support fundamental shifts in surfactant usage or feedstock sourcing on the basis of environmental concerns, as no single surfactant or feedstock was identified as superior across all resource and emissions criteria examined. The data provide baselines for evaluating opportunities for resource optimization, pollution prevention and waste minimization within each production technology surveyed.

Waste minimization opportunities at an electric arc furnace steel plant producing specialty steels

AbstractWaste reduction assessments have been carried out in the Armco, Inc. Butler, Pennsylvania electric arc furnace (EAF) specialty steelmaking complex. These assessments were intended to develop waste reduction options for two hazardous waste streams at this facility: heavy metals waste and corrosive waste. Waste reduction options considered were in one of two categories: source reduction or recycling (in the same order of preference). Treatment was considered only if waste reduction options were unavailable.

Hazardous Waste Minimization: Part X The Waste Minimization Assessment: A Useful Tool for the Reduction of Industrial Hazardous Wastes

This article describes the “nuts and bolts” of implementing a waste minimization program at an industrial facility which has made a commitment to carry out such a program for waste reduction and/or elimination. Under EPA sponsorship, a waste minimization assessment methodology has been developed and applied in a total often such assessments at industrial and DOD facilities. The article reviews the eleven distinct steps that represent the preferred procedure for carrying out a waste minimization assessment at an industrial site. This procedure is presented in detail in the recently published “The EPA Manual for Waste Minimization Opportunity Assessments.” Two case studies are presented which have employed this methodology to develop waste reduction options in the areas of source reduction and recycle/reuse. Lessons learned during the development and application of this methodology are also presented.

Hazardous waste minimization: Part II. Waste minimization in the electronics products industries.

An overview is provided of the production processes, waste generation, and waste management of the electronics products industries. Chosen product areas include electron tubes, semiconductors, capacitors/resistors, and printed circuit/wiring boards. Examples are given of specific processes and associated waste streams. Waste minimization activities are identified, and specific examples of successful applications provided. While faced with a wide variety of waste streams, many opportunities for waste minimization exist and await only application.