Unused Waste Research Articles

Appraisal of Thermal Comfort of Paper Waste as Wall Element in Building

There are too many waste that has the capability in undermine the environment, including paper waste. The unused paper waste collected from one office only could reach two tons a year. To decrease the possibility of paper waste in ruining the environment, it can be recycled to be any usable things. One example is recycle the paper waste into paper brick as building material. Before the brick can be used, it needs to be tested whether it can create a thermal comfort or not. So the objectives of the research are to find the ability of paper brick in create thermal comfort, and compare it with the red brick that is commonly used by people. The method used in this research is field measurement using model and hygrometer as a tool. The result of the research is that the paper brick can create a thermal comfort in some hours of a day. But it turns out that it is not better than the red brick in decreasing the outside temperature. The temperature inside the building with a red brick is lower that the temperature in the building with the paper brick.

A spatial analysis of woodfuel based on WISDOM GIS methodology: Multiscale approach in Northern Spain

Abstract Given the complexity of generating energy from biomass, the need has arisen for support tools to assist in balancing energy and forestry policies which are sufficiently flexible to address the issues of planning and management at small and large scales. The present study aims to adapt WISDOM GIS methodology for application in the autonomous region of Asturias (Northern Spain) and thereby, by creating a geodatabase, to contribute to a support tool for investigating the potential of woodfuel. This will aid the public administration by providing information on woodfuel supply and demand at the regional, municipality and site-specific level, and thus assist in decision making in terms of formulating new energy strategies. In terms of supply (t year − 1 ), in this work, woodfuel from forest area is defined as the crown fraction only (branches and leaves), although in the case of Eucalyptus spp., bark is also included as it is remains on-site following extraction of eucalypts for the pulp industry. Non-Forest Direct Supply was calculated on the basis of the relevant categories from an agricultural land use inventory and average woodfuel productivity. In addition, physical and legal constraints related to accessibility of the woodfuel were considered, the former applying restriction filters with values weighted depending on the interaction between slope map, road networks and centres of population, and the latter considering legal limitations in protected areas. In addition, unused waste from the wood processing industry was included. To calculate total woodfuel demand (t year − 1 ) for energy generation (heat and electricity), both the residential and industrial sector were taken into account. All data was georeferenced through Geographic Information Systems (GISs), which allow operations between raster maps to be performed to generate numeric and spatial results focusing on logistics and biomass strategies, depending on the inputs data and scale employed for each scenario considered. In addition, the application of the methodology at the site-specific level illustrates the practical implementation at the small scale of the geodatabase created, by evaluating the woodfuel available to feed, in case 1, a wood-fired power plant in a specific proposed location and, in case 2, this plant combined with a second plant in a different municipality, both cases also taking into consideration industrial demand.

Reinforced Oil Palm Fiber Epoxy Composites: An Investigation on Chemical Treatment of Fibers on Acoustical, Morphological, Mechanical and Spectral Properties

Oil palm fibers are plentifully unused waste types of cellulose fibers. It is extensively being wasted in modern agriculture and industries because of the limited research and knowledge on the use and functionality of oil palm fibers in certain sectors and products. Throughout this research, studies and examinations conducted to investigate the developments of reinforced untreated and treated oil palm fiber epoxy composites. Then, the effects of alkaline treatment on the fiber structure being analyzed. Lastly, based on the results obtained, the effects on the acoustical, morphological, mechanical, and spectral properties being investigated according to specific tests and standards.

Using Wood Waste in Slovakia and its Real Energy Potential

Energy production from previously unused wood waste, which is produced by mining and manipulation in forestry, wood processing plants and in plants and also more efficient energy recovery firewood in the total amount of about 500 000 t, can annually replace the same amount of brown sorted coal. This has a significant national- economic importance in saving precious fuel but the financial effect greatly exceeding the environmental- ecological benefits resulting from the reduction of environmental burdens, exhausts and incombustible solid residues. These are only a few advantages and also the reasons why it is necessary especially at present days to deal with biomass and wood waste as well. The article therefore outlines a comparison of the previous use of this energy source as well as its possible future development.

Chemistry of silica scale mitigation for RO desalination with particular reference to remote operations

Silica scaling in reverse osmosis of groundwater is a significant issue in water stressed areas due to the limitations that scaling imposes on water recovery. While calcium and magnesium scaling potential can be significantly reduced by the use of ion exchange or other softening processes, the silica scaling potential typically remains. Improving the recovery of reverse osmosis by limiting the potential for silica scale is important in ensuring maximum water recovery. This is particularly important for mining and natural gas industries that are located in remote regions. The remote nature of these sites imposes three major restrictions on the silica scale mitigation process. Firstly, the generation of poorly dewaterable sludges must be avoided. Also, the quality of any reverse osmosis (RO) permeate must be able to meet the end use requirements, particularly for boilers. Finally, silica removal should not impact upon other potentially useful or valuable components within the brine, and should not make the disposal of the unusable waste brine components more difficult.Reduction of scaling potential can be achieved in three main ways: operating RO at high pH after hardness has been removed, operating at low pH, and reducing the silica concentration either in pretreatment or by using an interstage technique.Operating at high pH has the initial requirement of hardness removal to prevent scaling and this could be an issue on some sites. Hardness removal operations that use ion exchange resins may be challenged by water chemistry and the operational costs associated with high chemical regeneration costs.Operating at low pH may be more desirable than high pH operation as this can help to reduce the risk of scale formation from calcium or magnesium salts. The drawback comes from the cost of acid, particularly for high-alkalinity waters.There are numerous silica removal techniques including chemical dosing of lime, or aluminium or iron salts, electrocoagulation, adsorption, ion exchange and seeded precipitation. Of these, adsorption onto aluminium compounds appears to give the best results and have received the most attention where restrictions on sludge production and brine disposal common to operations in remote locations are in place. Adsorption onto iron compounds appears to occur more quickly, but leads to the formation of a hard, glass-like scale that may be more difficult to remove, making this process unattractive from the point of view of sorbent regeneration.

Coal waste management practices in the USA: an overview

This paper provides an overview of coal waste management practices with two case studies and an estimate of management cost in 2010 US dollars. Processing of as-mined coal typically results in considerable amount of coarse and fine coal processing wastes because of in-seam and out-of-seam dilution mining. Processing plant clean coal recovery values run typically 50 %–80 %. Trace metals and sulfur may be present in waste materials that may result in leachate water with corrosive characteristics. Water discharges may require special measures such as liner and collection systems, and treatment to neutralize acid drainage and/or water quality for trace elements. The potential for variations in coal waste production and quality depends upon mining or processing, plus the long-term methods of waste placement. The changes in waste generation rates and engineering properties of the coal waste during the life of the facility must be considered. Safe, economical and environmentally acceptable management of coal waste involves consideration of geology, soil and rock mechanics, hydrology, hydraulics, geochemistry, soil science, agronomy and environmental sciences. These support all aspects of the regulatory environment including the design and construction of earth and rock embankments and dams, as well as a wide variety of waste disposal structures. Development of impoundments is critical and require considerations of typical water-impounding dams and additional requirements of coal waste disposal impoundments. The primary purpose of a coal waste disposal facility is to dispose of unusable waste materials from mining. However, at some sites coal waste impoundments serve to provide water storage capacity for processing and flood attenuation.

Abstract A06: Electronic waste in Nigeria: potential for genotoxicity and metalloid induced carcinogenesis

Abstract Background: Used and discarded electronic items from developed countries often end up in developing countries. If still functional, they are traded as second-hand goods. But, with a diminished lifespan, they rapidly transit into unusable electronic waste (e-waste). The majority of these countries have no regulations for the disposal or recycling of e-waste. Consequently, the environmental hazard of e-waste is exacerbated by crude recycling methods: primarily as a source of livelihood, poor city dwellers scavenge and trade plastic and metal components from e-waste dump. The remainders are burnt in the open spewing toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Leachates from e-waste dumps percolate into the groundwater, may bio-accumulate on entering the food chain with potentials for toxic exposure. Globally, e-wastes pose a major public health-threat primarily to the populations of developing countries, their genomic integrity, and long-term health. Methods: Using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) we determined the presence of Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) in e-waste contaminated soil, e-waste ashes and water leachate from a dumpsite in Lagos, Nigeria, compared to soil sample 1000 meter away. We also assessed the effect of e-waste leachates on E. coli PQ-37 genomic integrity by the SOS inducing potency (SOSIP). E. coli PQ-37 was exposed to the samples and 4-Nitro-quinoline-oxide (4NQO) (positive control). Colorimetric changes were measured by spectrophotometry at 630nm (genotoxicity) and 450nm (viability). Results and Discussion: The detected heavy metals (ranges; Cd: 4 -18; Ni:12-26; Cr:4- 26; Pb:3-46; Fe:3489 – 8080; Zn:8-280; and Cu:1250–6700 μg/L) in test samples evaluated (p<0.05) compared to soil sample 1000m away (Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb <1μg/L), and (Fe: 254μg/L, Zn:8μg/L and Cu:10μg/L). In all samples, Fe (8080 μg/L) was highest. In excess quantity, heavy metals have been implicated in disease state: Cd, Ni and Cr (carcinogenic cell transformation), Cu (liver diseases), Fe (Parkinson) and Zn (anti-nutrient with Cu, and reduced immune function). Viability of E. coli PQ37 cultures was above 90%, E. coli deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage increased proportionally to a two fold increase in e-waste concentration (ranges; 0.16 - 10μg/mL) it was exposed to. Taken together our results indicate the presence of significant source of mutagenic agents from inadequately processed e-waste in the Nigerian environment. This threatens the genomic stability of both people and the biosphere, which has adverse implications for public and ecological health. Ongoing measurements are focusing on the presence of other toxic and carcinogenic products from e-waste such as dioxins, polybrominated flame-retardants and phthalate esters. In addition, it is necessary to foster public enlightenment, regulation and the safe disposal of e-waste in susceptible communities. Citation Format: Solomon E. Owumi, Michael A. Gbadegesin, Ferdnand C. Osuagwu, Eberechukwu Onuchukwu, Bolaji Ayoola, Oyeronke A. Odunola, Anthony O. Uwaifo. Electronic waste in Nigeria: potential for genotoxicity and metalloid induced carcinogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr A06.

Exergy analysis for maximizing power of organic Rankine cycle power plant driven by open type energy source

An attempt is made in the present work to classify the energy sources that can drive the ORC (organic Rankine cycle) power plants. Concepts of the open and sealed type of the energy sources are introduced as well as the difference between the energy source capacity and the energy supplied to the power plant cycle is presented. By application of the exergy analysis it has been proved via examples of calculations that, for the open type energy sources, an external loss of exergy occurs due to the lacking utilization of a still usable output product. The term product refers here to the power plant exit flow of the source heat carrier. It is shown that, for each cycle working fluid, there is a specific evaporation temperature at which the cumulative cycle energy losses drop to minimum and the power plant output reaches its maximum value. It is also proved that, in case of the ORC power plants driven by the open energy sources, there is no justification to apply the internal heat regeneration in the power plant cycle. The internal heat regeneration is, in fact, lowering the exergy loss in the condenser, but is also increasing losses due to unused waste product. Neither the power plant output nor the power plant efficiency is improved.

From Unanimity to Proportionality: Assent Standards and the Parliamentary Enclosure Movement

“Enclosure” has long been shorthand for describing the exchange of scattered strips of land and common rights for cohesive plots in premodern and modern England. Proprietors who farmed long strips of land throughout a village or released cattle on unused waste would receive at enclosure regular plots commensurate in value with earlier interests. The process of enclosure in a village could be gradual, as it predominantly was for much of the premodern period. Alternatively, as increasingly occurred in the modern era, the proprietors could enclose their lands in concert. Figure 1, two maps of Helmdon in Northamptonshire, depicts the vast change in holdings that could occur through enclosure.

Process integration and optimization of a solid oxide fuel cell – Gas turbine hybrid cycle fueled with hydrothermally gasified waste biomass

Due to its suitability for using wet biomass, hydrothermal gasification is a promising process for the valorization of otherwise unused waste biomass to synthesis gas and biofuels. Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based hybrid cycles are considered as the best candidate for a more efficient and clean conversion of (bio) fuels. A significant potential for the integration of the two technologies is expected since hydrothermal gasification requires heat at 673–773K, whereas SOFC is characterized by heat excess at high temperature due to the limited electrochemical fuel conversion.This work presents a systematic process integration and optimization of a SOFC-gas turbine (GT) hybrid cycle fueled with hydrothermally gasified waste biomass. Several design options are systematically developed and compared through a thermodynamic optimization approach based on First Law and exergy analysis.The work demonstrates the considerable potential of the system that allows for converting wet waste biomass into electricity at a First Law efficiency of up to 63%, while simultaneously enabling the separation of biogenic carbon dioxide for further use or sequestration.

Synthesis of aluminum tri-polyphosphate anticorrosion pigment from bauxite tailings

Aluminum tri-polyphosphate was synthesized from bauxite tailings and phosphoric acid with a P/Al molar ratio of 3. This is highly advantageous from a waste recycling perspective as bauxite tailings are generally regarded as unusable waste. The acidity, whiteness and mean particle size of prepared aluminum tri-polyphosphate are all improved after modification. The possibility of using modified aluminum tri-polyphosphate as an anticorrosive pigment was also investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The resistance of the coatings with modified aluminum tri-polyphosphate is 7×107 Ω for 40 d of immersion, which is superior or at least comparable to that of coatings containing APW-2, which exhibits a resistance of 5.7×107 Ω.

Legal Aspects which Implement Good Practice Measures in the Management of Construction and Demolition Waste

The construction industry, one of the most important ones in the development of a country, generates unavoid- able impacts on the environment. The social demand towards greater respect for the environment is a high and general outcry. Therefore, the construction industry needs to reduce the impact it produces. Proper waste management is not enough; we must take a further step in environmental management, where new measures need to be introduced for the prevention at source, such as good practices to promote recycling. Following the amendment of the legal frame applicable to Construction and Demolition Waste (C&D waste), important developments have been incorporated in European and International laws, aiming to promote the culture of reusing and recycling. This change of mindset, that is progressively taking place in society, is allowing for the consideration of C&D waste no longer as an unusable waste, but as a reusable material. The main objective of the work presented in this paper is to enhance C&D waste management systems through the development of preventive measures during the construction process. These measures concern all the agents intervening in the construction process as only the personal implication of all of them can ensure an efficient management of the C&D waste generated. Finally, a model based on preventive measures achieves organizational cohesion between the different stages of the con- struction process, as well as promoting the conservation of raw materials through the use and waste minimization. All of these in order to achieve a C&D waste management system, whose primary goal is zero waste generation.

B107 DMEを利用した中低温廃熱の化学再生用触媒の実験的研究(OS3 省エネルギー・コジェネ技術),動力エネルギーシステム部門20周年,次の20年への新展開)

This work aims to realize combined heat and power (CHP) system enhanced by chemical recuperation of the unused waste heat at around 300 degree C that is commonly found in many industries. This system can "upgrade" the unused waste heat to electric energy by endothermic reaction of DME steam reforming and can save the fuel consumption and reduce CO_2 emission. We successfully prepared the catalyst customized to this purpose. DME steam reforming is the sequential reaction which consists of DME hydrolysis and methanol decomposition or steam reforming, and a few research reported that solid acid promotes the former reaction. We experimented with several combinations of zeolite and γ-alumina for solid acid and CoFe-spinel, CuMnCrK, CuMn-spinel and LaPd/CeO_2 for the latter reactions. The test results showed that zeolite had higher activity for DME hydrolysis and LaPd/CeO_2 selectively produced CO by suppressing CO shift reaction at 300 degree C. The LHV of reformed gas increased by 8.7% compared to that of DME fuel.

A First Global Production, Emission, And Environmental Inventory For Perfluorooctane Sulfonate

This study makes a new estimate of the global historical production for perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (POSF), and then focuses on producing a first estimate of the global historical environmental releases of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The total historical worldwide production of POSF was estimated to be 96,000 t (or 122,500 t, including unusable wastes) between 1970-2002, with an estimated global release of 45,250 t to air and water between 1970-2012 from direct (manufacture, use, and consumer products) and indirect (PFOS precursors and/or impurities) sources. Estimates indicate that direct emissions from POSF-derived products are the major source to the environment resulting in releases of 450-2700 t PFOS into wastewater streams, primarily through losses from stain repellent treated carpets, waterproof apparel, and aqueous fire fighting foams. Large uncertainties surround indirect sources and have not yet been estimated due to limited information on environmental degradation, although it can be assumed that some POSF-derived chemicals will degrade to PFOS over time. The properties of PFOS (high water solubility, negligible vapor pressure, and limited sorption to particles) imply it will reside in surface waters, predominantly in oceans. Measured oceanic data suggests approximately 235-1770 t of PFOS currently reside in ocean surface waters, similar to the estimated PFOS releases. Environmental monitoring from the 1970s onward shows strong upward trends in biota, in broad agreement with the estimates of use and emissions made here. Since cessation of POSF production by 3M in 2002, a reduction in some compartments has been observed, although current and future exposure is dependent on emission routes, subsequent transport and degradation.

Geochemical investigations of slags from the historical smelting in Freiberg, Erzgebirge (Germany)

The Freiberg area in the Saxon Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) represents one of the oldest mining districts in Germany. Argentiferous ore mineralizations with lead, zinc and copper are dominating in this region. Various waste products of mining can be found around Freiberg. In particular, the slags from ore smelting were and are regarded as unusable waste products. However, they preserve information on the smelting and weathering behaviour of slag, which makes them very useful sources of information for our purposes. To reconstruct the chemical processes during ore smelting, historical slag represents a most valuable archive. Therefore, the historical slag dump in Halsbach (Germany) was examined exemplarily for the Freiberg deposit. The slag was dumped approx. 400 years ago and is rich in lead. An interrelation between the slag and the metallurgical process applied can be made on the basis of chemical composition, appearance and microscopic results. The slags of the heap in Halsbach contain high concentrations of heavy metals (average contents in mg kg −1: Zn 40,000; Pb 10,000; Cu 1500; U 1000). Enrichments of heavy metals in the organic-rich soil horizons within the range of the dump foot (maximum contents in the A-horizon in mg kg −1: Zn 3719; Pb 9198; As 3017; Cu 963) imply a faint discharge of metals from the dump.

Basidiomycetes biotechnical processing of unusable wastes from the production of woolen cloths

A quantitative evaluation is given for the unusable wastes formed at various stages in the manufacture of woven cloths for technical purposes, which contain wool and synthetic fibers (polyamide and polyester). Analyses of the components and elemental compositions are given for the wool-bearing wastes, and their hygroscopic and toxic features are characterized. It is shown that the Basidiomycetes Trametes maxima, Pholiota highlandensis, Trametes hirsuta, Trametes ochracea. can be grown in liquid nutrient media including the wastes from spinning and finishing processes. There is increased activity of the oxidative enzymes in the Basidiomycetes Trametes maxima, Trametes hirsuta, Pholiota highlandensis on culturing in the presence of wool-bearing wastes, so these are considered as promising objects for growing on these wastes. The oxidative enzymes formed on growing Basidiomycetes on media containing wool-bearing wastes may be of interest for practical use.

Hydrogen Production from Biomass Using High Temperature Nuclear Heat

The paper proposes a conceptual design of hydrogen production system with unused biomass wastes and steam generated from high temperature nuclear power systems including fusion reactor. A reaction of interest is expressed as a formula, (C6H10O5)n + nH2O => 6nH2 + 6nCO, which is accompanied by a large quantity of endothermic reaction. Basic experiments have been made of thermal decomposition of cellulose, specimen as biomass resource, with the aid of high temperature steam of 1000 deg C heated by an infrared image furnace. The endothermic quantity was evaluated from a numerical model in which measured temperatures are employed. The numerical results for endothermic quantity agreed well with the theoretical value of 816 kJ/mol. To discuss the technical feasibility of the present process, the conceptual design of a hydrogen production reactor system of heat exchanger type was made with the numerical results and heat transfer correlations for helium and steam flow. The present biomass based process, producing both electricity and more hydrogen than other processes such as water or steam electrolysis using an equivalent quantity of heat source, is characterized as an efficient hydrogen production method using nuclear thermal energy, which simultaneously contributes to reduce biomass wastes.

露天資源開発の現状と新たな展開を支える技術 古里鉱山におけるコ・ジェネレーションシステム

For one method of a cost reduction, we focused on the electricity cost, which had a high ratio in our total cost,. We have introduced ‘Co-generation System by ESCO’ , which aimed to utilized the unused waste heat of generator for the support of dryer in our plants effectively.By the introduction of this system, our electricity cost in 2004 reduced approximately 17.4% and our fuel cost by approximately 1.6% in our plants by the way of waste heat recovery.Also, we have reduced the fuel cost by 100% in our plants' dryer since August, 2005.The introduction of “Co-generation System” has brought benefits for us.

Fuzzy SPC Filter for a Feed-Forward Control System for a Three-Phase Oil Field Centrifuge

Abstract In this work we describe a signal filter for a feed-forward controller based on the application of fuzzy logic, combined with statistical process control (SPC). The feed-forward controller is for a three-phase oil field centrifuge. The centrifuge system is used to separate meta-stable three-phase oil and water emulsions that are stabilized by solids. These emulsions are considered to be unusable wastes and must be disposed of in an environrnentally acceptable manner. The centrifuge is capable of turning these wastes into clean saleable oil, water that can be reused in an operating process or re-injected into oil wells, and solids that can be disposed of in landfills. The feed-forwazd controller is used for feed disturbance rejection. It works in conjunction with, and is capable ofover-riding the actions of, a feedback controller. The measured feed variables for the feed-forward controller each exhibit reasonably large random fluctuations. It is therefore quite important to use a signal filter tha...

Waste Management Technology

As the population grows there is an increase in wastage from our economic activities. Causing pollution on land, water, air, and on all other living things. India, being the second largest populous country in the world produces enormous organic and inorganic waste. While the household and agriculture waste may be used immediately after simple treatment, the waste generated from industries cannot be used as it is. If the industrial leftovers are effectively recycled or retreated by adopting suitable management techniques, then there will be no unwanted element in the environment. Rather, all nutrient elements if recycled, may enrich soil and other natural resources. Scientists and economists have found new technology to treat all waste as a source through recycling, conversion, source of energy, and land reclamation. Now, they have come to the conclusion that waste is a waste if untreated, but if it is modified in some other form, it is a potential resource and a wealth for our future. However, the only requirement is that it should be treated properly or taken care of. This paper examines some of the technology adopted by scientists, economists to use the waste as one of the potential resource either through knowledge or any other means for increasing productivity, maximising returns, and reducing pile up of unused waste. Successful case studies have been reviewed and analysed critically.