Organic Waste Streams Research Articles

Pertubated loading of a formaldehyde waste in an anaerobic granular activated carbon fluidized bed reactor

The objective of this study was to examine the biological treatment of a formaldehyde waste simulating wastewater from a resin production facility. An analysis of degradation of a high strength organic waste stream containing formaldehyde in an anaerobic fluidized bed granular activated carbon bioreactor (AFBGAC) is presented. In the first part of this study, the AFBGAC bioreactor was operated for a total of 700 days under four different continuous loading rates, to optimize the hydraulic retention time, until steady state performance was obtained. In the second part, the effect of substrate perturbation on effluent quality was examined by periodically loading the reactor using five distinct perturbation schemes to simulate different production shifts. The feed under the first three perturbation schemes was applied in cycles of 16 h on and 8 h off, 12 h on and 12 h off, and 8 h on and 16 h off. The fourth scheme applied feed at 8 h on and 16 h off with no feed on weekends. The fifth scheme examined the long-term effect of substrate limitation using the 8 h on and 16 h off loading cycle with a feed interruption of 9 days. The organic loading per day was kept constant throughout the feed perturbation study. The reactor removed more than 95% of the dissolved organic carbon content of the waste under both continuous and cyclic loading. Formaldehyde removal rates of up to 99.99% were achieved under continuous loading while removal rates ranged from 97.4% to 99.9% under cyclic loading. Although the AFBGAC failed occasionally due to excessive buildup of attached biomass during the phase of continuous loading, it still maintained excellent overall removal efficiencies. It also showed resilience to substrate limitations and load perturbations under dynamic loadings. The results presented in this study provide a promising strategy to treat inhibitory wastes.

Evaluation of the use of modified coal ash as a potential sorbent for organic waste streams

Fly ash was modified by hydrothermal treatment with 7 M NaOH. The resultant product displayed an 8-fold increase in surface area. The primary crystalline component of the modified fly ash was identified by X-ray diffraction to be hydroxysodalite (Na 6Al 6Si 6O 24 8H 2O). The cation exchange capacity of the modified ash was significantly increased over that of the raw fly ash (188 vs 2 meq g −1). Adsorption experiments showed that the modified fly ash adsorbed a cationic dye (methylene blue) to a much greater extent than an anionic dye (alizarin sulfonate). Saturation adsorption revealed that the capacity of the ash for methylene blue had increased 10-fold during modification when compared to the raw ash. Adsorption is thus ascribed to be a surface effect rather than involving incorporation into the channels of the hydroxysodalite structure.

An assessment of supercritical water oxidation (SCWO): Existing problems, possible solutions and new reactor concepts

The process of supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) is a promising alternative to the incineration of aqueous organic waste streams and has received an enormous interest during the last decade. However, SCWO as an end-of-pipe technology has some disadvantages that have hindered an industrial application of the process. Beside technical problems due to reactor corrosion and salt precipitation, problems result from the fact that SCWO often is claimed as a “general” technology for all possible waste streams, a claim that the technology cannot fulfill. In this article, the existing problems of SCWO as an end-of-pipe technology are described and possible solutions are discussed, different reactor concepts are elucidated, and a suggestion for future research and technical procedure in the SCWO field is given. Additionally, an assessment of possible energetic applications of the SCWO process is given, in which SCWO is more than a waste treatment technology.

Cost-benefit analysis of introducing technology to rapidly degrade municipal solid waste

Due to an increasing awareness of the true economic and environmental cost of conventional landfilling, recent interest has developed in Australia in technologies that accelerate the degradation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW). The management of the organic waste stream, which typically makes up 60 to 70% of MSW in Australia, is central to reducing the reliance on landfill space. One option is to digest the organic fraction prior to landfilling, or preserve landfill space by accelerating the decomposition of the organic fraction within the landfill. This paper quantifies the benefits of digestion as a function of the degradation time, td. The analysis considers both invessel and landfill-based bioreactor technologies and calculates net economic impact, expressed as $US t−1 MSW, as the sum of enhanced and more rapid biogas retrieval, saved landfill space, reduced environmental disamenity and reduced postclosure costs, minus the capital and operating costs to implement the technology. The benefits, on a per tonne basis, are shown to be insensitive to the size of the waste stream while costs diminish as the waste stream size increases. A conventional landfill with td= 20 yr is used as a basis of comparison. At 1800 t day−1, the maximum level of benefit is 13 $US t−1 at td= 2 months, diminishing monotonically to zero at td= 20 yr. The cost of achieving td= 2 months is the cost of invessel digestion, estimated to be 99 $US t−1, resulting in an overall increase of 86 $US t−1 in waste management costs. Similarly, degradation times of 2 < td < 5 yr provide a benefit of 8 to 11 $US t−1 for a waste stream of 1800 t day−1. This rate of degradation can be achieved with landfill-based bioreactor technology. The cost of additional infrastructure needed to implement accelerated degradation, such as pretreatment pads, internal leachate distribution networks and additional gas wells and generators, is estimated to be less than 1 $US t−1. Bioreactor technology is therefore appealing, although their is uncertainty about the additional operating costs needed to run a landfill as a bioreactor. Additional operations would mainly revolve around segmenting the waste mass to tightly control leachate distribution. The cost of these additional operations are unlikely to exceed the operating cost of a modern conventional landfill, estimated at 9 $US t−1. Therefore, landfill bioreactor technology should be cost effective.

Cost-benefit analysis of introducing technology to rapidly degrade municipal solid waste

Due to an increasing awareness of the true economic and environmental cost of conventional landfilling, recent interest has developed in Australia in technologies that accelerate the degradation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW). The management of the organic waste stream, which typically makes up 60 to 70% of MSW in Australia, is central to reducing the reliance on landfill space. One option is to digest the organic fraction prior to landfilling, or preserve landfill space by accelerating the decomposition of the organic fraction within the landfill. This paper quantifies the benefits of digestion as a function of the degradation time, td. The analysis considers both invessel and landfill-based bioreactor technologies and calculates net economic impact, expressed as $US t-1 MSW, as the sum of enhanced and more rapid biogas retrieval, saved landfill space, reduced environmental disamenity and reduced postclosure costs, minus the capital and operating costs to implement the technology. The benefits, on a per tonne basis, are shown to be insensitive to the size of the waste stream while costs diminish as the waste stream size increases. A conventional landfill with td = 20 yr is used as a basis of comparison. At 1800 t day-1, the maximum level of benefit is 13 $US t-1 at td = 2 months, diminishing monotonically to zero at td = 20 yr. The cost of achieving td = 2 months is the cost of invessel digestion, estimated to be 99 $US t-1, resulting in an overall increase of 86 $US t -1 in waste management costs. Similarly, degradation times of 2 &lt; td &lt; 5 yr provide a benefit of 8 to 11 $US t-1 for a waste stream of 1800 t day-1. This rate of degradation can be achieved with landfill-based bioreactor technology. The cost of additional infrastructure needed to implement accelerated degradation, such as pretreatment pads, internal leachate distribution networks and additional gas wells and generators, is estimated to be less than 1 $US t-1. Bioreactor technology is therefore appealing, although their is uncertainty about the additional operating costs needed to run a landfill as a bioreactor. Additional operations would mainly revolve around segmenting the waste mass to tightly control leachate distribution. The cost of these additional operations are unlikely to exceed the operating cost of a modern conventional landfill, estimated at 9 $US t-1. Therefore, landfill bioreactor technology should be cost effective.

Oxidation of CH3CHO by O3and H2O2Mixtures in Supercritical CO2in a Perfectly Stirred Reactor

Organic waste streams must be handled in an environmentally benign manner. We present an alternative to incineration for such waste streams. The process involves the dissolution of the organic bypr...

Catalytic Extraction Processing: An Elemental Recycling Technology

Catalytic Extraction Processing (CEP) is an innovative Elemental RecyclingTM technology that converts organic, organometallic, and inorganic waste, byproduct, or process streams into marketable commercial products: industrial gases, metal alloys, and ceramics (e.g., inorganic oxides, halides, sulfides). Feed materials are injected into a molten metal bath where dissociation of molecular entities to their respective elements and reaction of these dissolved elemental intermediates to form products occur. Process chemistry is driven by reaction thermodynamics, solution equilibria, and metal catalysis, which allow specific partitioning of elements and conversion of feed materials to the desired products as predicted. Experimental results demonstrate CEP's capabilities for waste minimization (e.g., product formation) and environmental performance (e.g., minimum emissions). Examples include the processing of highly toxic toluene diisocyanate production wastes (EPA RCRA listed waste K027), chlorinated organics (EPA RCRA listed waste F024), and mixed metallic, plastic, and inorganic wastes (weapon componentry). Synthesis gas, hydrogen chloride, ceramic, and metal products were manufactured from these waste materials. CEP consistently demonstrates destruction removal efficiencies (DREs) exceeding 99.9999%, NOx and SOx below detection limits (typically 1 ppm to 100 ppm), and dioxins/furans nondetectable to the targeted regulatory limit of 0.1 ng/Nm3 2,3,7,8 TCDD toxicity equivalent (TEQ). Condensed-phase environmental quality was verified by ceramic phases passing toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and the absence of hazardous organic constituents in both metal and ceramic phases. CEP's environmental performance has been validated by the U.S. EPA's best demonstrated available technology (BDAT) equivalency designations, while its manufacturing capabilities have been confirmed by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) recycling certifications.

Production of valuable products from organic waste streams

A process was developed at the University of Pretoria through which it became possible to simultaneously purify organic effluents and produce a constant quality Single Cell Protein (SCP) product under non-aseptic conditions. Performance of the process as applied to a sugar-furfural effluent is described. The organism selected was Aspergillus fumigatus, a thermotolerant filamentous fungus. Typical yield is 0.56 g biomass per g COD utilized. The amino acid profile of the biomass compares well with other edible protein sources. It was possible to reduce the COD concentration in the effluent from ± 8000 mg/L to ± 150 mg/L.

Production of valuable products from organic waste streams

A process was developed at the University of Pretoria through which it became possible to simultaneously purify organic effluents and produce a constant quality Single Cell Protein (SCP) product under non-aseptic conditions. Performance of the process as applied to a sugar-furfural effluent is described. The organism selected was Aspergillus furnigatus, a thermotolerant filamentous fungus. Typical yield is 0.56 g biomass per g COD utilized. The amino acid profile of the biomass compares well with other edible protein sources. It was possible to reduce the COD concentration in the effluent from ± 8000 mg/L to ± 150 mg/L.

Metal spikes for incinerator and BIF compliance test and trial burn

This paper presents a discussion of the various chemical and physical forms of metal compounds that may be used for spiking during the trial burn or compliance test for hazardous waste combustion systems. It discusses the factors which should be considered in selecting the forms of the spiking metals for organic (hot, high Btu, or high heating value) waste streams, aqueous waste streams, and solid waste streams. The paper focuses on the organic waste streams and compares the use of organic metal dispersion to the use of organometal compounds or aqueous solutions of metal compounds as spikes for these types of feed streams. It is concluded that metal dispersions appear to form particulate which is in the appropriate micron range to tax the air pollution control system's performance. Dispersions of all regulated metals are commercially available in the required quantities for each application and they are relatively easy to pump, and to meter. Dispersions can be formulated so that their heating values are high enough to maintain the required elevated combustion and flame temperatures, and they are representative of the most common types of metal-bearing wastes sent to incinerators. The dispersions can also be used to spike metal compounds into water-based waste streams.

Waste Minimization Promotes Biophysical Treatment of Complex Petrochemical Wastes in Israel

A full-scale 300 m3/day industrial waste treatment system was put into operation in a petrochemical manufacturing plant in Israel for the purpose of detoxifying its complex organic waste stream. The GPI treatment plant design incorporates an innovative waste management approach to accommodate the limited space allocated for the facility. It employs influent equalization and waste minimization techniques, in support of an advanced biophysical treatment process to accomplish a substantial reduction in the facility footprint while producing a high quality effluent. Initial performance data indicate a highly efficient organic waste reduction. COD and BOD removal surpassed 95% and 98%, respectively, over the initial two months of operation, meeting the stringent effluent discharge criteria. The system also provides effective sludge dewatering, producing 40-50% solids sludge, thereby minimizing sludge disposal costs.

Geochemical engineering: some thoughts on a new research field

Geochemical engineering is here defined as the use of geochemical processes to improve the environment. Environmental protection is an important part of geochemical engineering. Other applications involve the modification of physical properties of geological materials by chemical means. Examples of geochemical engineering are reviewed and include the neutralization of waste acids by olivine, dephosphatization of organic waste streams by struvite formation, defluoridation of F-rich drinking waters by passing them over gypsum beds, artificially raising the level of the land by metasomatic reactions, and the recovery of drinking water in deserts by hydration-dehydration cycles of hygroscopic salts.

Hydrogenation and recycle of organic waste streams

AbstractEach year, billions of gallons of organic waste liquids are generated. Recently implemented EPA regulations now provide an economic driving force to minimize the net production of these waste materials. A hydrocarbon refining process employing catalytic hydrogenation has been expanded from current petroleum and petrochemical applications to the treatment and recycle of hazardous organic waste streams. In this paper, three classes of hazardous organic wastes are studied: PCB insulating liquids, halogenated petrochemical by‐products, and residue from distillate oil sulfuric acid treatment. Pilot plant data are presented as the basis for evaluating the environmental and economic advantages of hydrogenation and reuse.

Recovery of nutrients from organic waste streams by struvite formation

Recovery of nutrients from organic waste streams by struvite formation

Design and operation of leachate control measures at compton bassett landfill site, Wiltshire, U.K.

This paper describes the conversion of a difficult landfill, inherited by Wiltshire County Council during local government re-organization in 1974, into a high-standard landfill, providing containment of wastes. It can now provide the capacity to continue to receive wastes for at least the next 30 or 40 years. An essential feature of these works is an on-site, automated leachate treatment plant. The design philosophy and difficulties encountered during the commissioning of the plant are described in this paper. Initial difficulties in treating large quantities of methanogenic leachate from saturated areas of waste have been overcome by a novel scheme, whereby a high-strength organic waste stream from a local jam factory is blended with the influent leachate streams for optimum treatment conditions.

Thermal destruction of hazardous waste — a state-of-the-art review

The treatment and destruction of organic hazardous waste streams through use of incinerators and other thermal processes is and will continue to be an important waste management option in the U.S., Canada, and other industrial countries. In this paper, the authors discuss incineration, pyrolysis systems, boilers, and industrial processes, and various innovative systems. In addition to containing various process descriptions, the paper also contains relevant regulations and the results/environmental assessments carried out by the EPA. The overall purpose of the paper is to provide a review of those thermal options currently of interest to the waste management community.

Design and Operation of Leachate Control Measures At Compton Bassett Landfill Site, Wiltshire, U.K

This paper describes the conversion of a difficult landfill, inherited by Wiltshire County Council during local government re-organization in 1974, into a high-standard landfill, providing containment of wastes. It can now provide the capacity to continue to receive wastes for at least the next 30 or 40 years. An essential feature of these works is an on-site, automated leachate treatment plant. The design philosophy and difficulties encountered during the commissioning of the plant are described in this paper. Initial difficulties in treating large quantities of methanogenic leachate from saturated areas of waste have been overcome by a novel scheme, whereby a high-strength organic waste stream from a local jam factory is blended with the influent leachate streams for optimum treatment conditions.

Siting a Fully Integrated Waste Management Facility in Alberta

The development of a special (hazardous) waste management system is well under way in Alberta, Canada, and completion of an integrated treatment and disposal facility near Swan Hills is expected in 1988. The facility will handle both inorganic and organic waste streams in a physical/chemical treatment plant and high temperature incinerator. Treated liquid residues will be disposed of in a deep well, and treated solid residues in a secure landfill. The chosen treatment technology and the established hydrogeological conditions of the site ensure the maintenance of environmental quality. An intensive site selection and public participation program provided that only locations which were environmentally and socially suitable for this development were considered. Through awareness of the problems of waste and the solutions for its management, and full citizen involvement in the site selection process, the siting and public participation programs accomplished the difficult task of selecting a location for North America’s first fully integrated special waste treatment and disposal facility.

Production of microbial protein: a study of the development and introduction of a new technology

Previous work had indicated a lack of studies assessing ecological and social effects of specific technologies. Production of microbial protein was selected for its definability and because UK products were about to be introduced (1976). The study was conducted by investigation of UK Patent Office records, by literature search and by interviews with researchers, producers, feed-for-mulators and farmers. It was found that research had been stimulated by FAO calls for production of unconventional protein for human food, but that the animal feed market proved the most attractive target, partly because of safety regulatins. Microbial protein can be grown on many organic materials, so there are considerable passibilities for utilising waste products, especially from agricultural activities and from food and drink industries. Nevetheless, the major developments have in fact used petrochemical feedstocks, methane, methanol and ‘n’ alkanes because of their availability in large volume at consistent quality. ICI's ‘Pruteen’ Methylopphilus methylotrophus, grown on methanol is the only product available in large ammounts in the UK, but recent increases in oil prices may alter the economics of this process and may also favour utilisation of waste streams, espicially if water authorities continue to tighten-up discharge reqiurements. The employment implications were not explored, sine they seem likely to be negligible, unless soya were superceded, which is even more unlikely. Utilisation of organic, which is even more unlikely. Utilisation of organic waste streams would have pronounced beneficial effects on ambient water quality.] Developing countries with long peroid of sunlight and sufficient water to produce luxuriant vegetation could utilise crop wastes as a basis for protein production, either as a main objective, or as a co-product with chemical fertilisers intermediates of liquid fuel.