Waste Storage Research Articles

Evaluation of the Permeability of Clay-Lime Mixtures for Hazardous Waste Insulation Barriers, Case of Southern Algeria (Adrar)

Containment of hazardous waste is one of the methods that can be used today for its disposal worldwide, especially in landfills. In order to preserve groundwater, landfills are constructed on a natural or reconstituted clay layer of low permeability, known as a passive safety barrier. This paper presents an experimental laboratory study that aims to upgrade local materials for use as a passive barrier in the bottoms of hazardous waste storage facilities (HWSCs). The basic materials are clays from the Adrar region in southern Algeria. An experimental study based on physical-chemical characterization and mechanical tests was performed on 2 samples of clayey soils (AA, Adrar clay, and AB, Bouda clay). Physico-chemical and mechanical characterization of Adrar clay (AA) mixtures with lime was conducted to minimize swelling and improve the studied soil. The permeability criterion allowed the adoption of an optimal mixture of Adrar clay + 6 % lime for a permeability lower than 10–12 m/s. HIGHLIGHTS Ideal solution to protect natural groundwater resources using local materials, clay and lime Large area exceeding 30 km2 of clay sources and including sources of oil pollution Noticeable improvement in clay properties thanks to the addition of lime to reduce swelling The treated clay has a very low permeability value, lower than 10−12 m/s and is ideal for hazardous waste storage centers GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Ecological and Geochemical Characteristics of Potassium Industry Waste

The analysis of the ecological and geochemical characteristics of waste from the extraction and processing of potash salts, which determine the ecological state of the areas of development of these deposits, is carried out. Objects are salt dumps, sludge storages, drainage waters formed on the territory of the Verkhnekamskoye potassium-magnesium salt deposit. Under research of chemical composition of waste and the drainage waters of the sludge storage it was determine that high concentrations of mobile forms of chemical elements in drainage sodium chloride waters of waste storage facilities, an increase in the concentration of nitrogen compounds in filtration waters have been established. The active role of salt solutions in the leaching of clay minerals of salt dumps and sludge dumps, clay protective screens is determined, which leads to active filtration of salt solutions through the bed of the sludge dump, salt dump, migration of microelements in a readily soluble form into the environment.

Operating Room Waste Generated From Corneal and Conjunctival Surgeries.

The purposes of this study were to bring awareness to the surgical waste generated from corneal and conjunctival surgeries and to compare those findings with the waste generated from cataract surgeries. This was an observational prospective pilot cohort study at a tertiary corneal/anterior segment private practice. All waste related to cataract, cornea, and conjunctival surgical procedures (including anesthesia waste and corneal tissue storage) was weighed. The primary outcome was total waste generated while other outcomes included surgical setting (ambulatory surgical center, hospital, and minor operating room) and comparison of corneal/conjunctival surgeries with cataract surgery. Surgical waste data were collected from 119 surgeries (82 corneal/conjunctival surgeries and 37 cataract surgeries). Hospital surgeries produced more waste than ambulatory surgical center and minor operating room surgeries. Penetrating keratoplasty (2.22 kg, P = 0.483) and Descemet stripping only (2.11 kg, P = 0.326) procedures generated comparable mean waste with cataract surgery (2.07 kg) while endothelial keratoplasties produced more ( P < 0.001, 0.002). (Deep) anterior lamellar keratoplasty results depended on the surgical setting. All conjunctival surgeries produced less waste than cataract surgery. In comparison with cataract surgery, keratoplasties overall produced comparable or more waste while conjunctival surgeries produced less waste. The surgical setting and type of anesthesia played a substantial role in the amount of waste generated. Assessing waste production from different ophthalmic surgeries may increase awareness of the negative environmental impact of surgical waste and promote practice or legal changes to improve environmental sustainability.

Enhanced radioactive waste drum monitoring: A sensorized LoRa-based network for identification and integrity assessment

A reliable monitoring and oversight system is essential to guarantee the safe operation and eventual closure of radioactive waste disposal facilities. With recent technological advancements, there is now the capability to deploy distributed wireless sensor networks that are cost-effective and low in power consumption. Such networks are versatile, finding applications in several civil, environmental, and industrial sectors. This work presents a novel system and method for identifying and continuously monitoring the integrity of stored radioactive waste packages. The proposed approach, developed by the University of Pisa in the context of the H2020 European Project PREDIS, employs a network of wireless node devices, provided with solid-state micro-power radiation detectors tasked with the measurement of gamma-rays and thermal neutrons coming from within cemented waste drums. Collected data are automatically transmitted across the storage site via Long Range radio technology and forwarded to cloud-based or offline platforms, allowing for further visualization, data processing, and safe storage. The system highlights the feasibility of autonomously and passively gathering data from radioactive waste drums over extended distances (more than 250 m in non-line-of-sight conditions), decreasing the reliance on portable or automated scanning mechanisms. In line with its capability for autonomous, long-range data collection, the system satisfies the requirement for structural integrity, containment, and confinement of packaging throughout both interim and long-term disposal of radioactive wastes, thereby playing a key role in reinforcing the safe management of radioactive waste.

Corrosion property investigation of laser-cladding copper coating in the simulated nuclear waste disposal solution

To explore the efficient corrosion protection for the nuclear waste storage containers, pure copper coatings were successfully prepared on the 20# steel pipe surface using an infrared laser system under different laser powers. The study was conducted on the copper coatings, encompassing the surface quality, defects, microstructure, elemental distribution, phase composition, and corrosion products. The electrochemical and immersion corrosion behavior of the copper coatings in simulated nuclear waste disposal solutions was analyzed. The pure copper coating prepared by 2800 W laser power has fewer amounts and smaller sizes of defects inside the coating with only a slight fusion of Cu and Fe elements at the interface, which exhibits the highest corrosion potential and the smallest self-corrosion current density. During the immersion corrosion process, pores and unfused defects inside the coating, as well as the pits formed by galvanic coupling corrosion, lead to enhanced acidity inside these defects, resulting in a higher corrosion rate. As the immersion time proceeds, the corrosion rate slows down gradually and the content of Cu2+ corrosion product increases significantly.

Preliminary study of waste storage ponds delineation area in the Ungaran Geothermal Mining working area, Semarang, Indonesia

The Gedongsongo and Nglimut areas have the potential for Indonesian geothermal exploration projects. One of the problems of the PLTP sector is producing geothermal waste in the form of brine, and geothermal mud can endanger human health and ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the best zone for waste storage ponds in this prospect area. The method integrates DEM and Landsat data analysis, producing Maps of Slopes and Lineaments to delineate the best area for making ponds. There are several parameters for determining the pond-making zone: area with a slope of less than 15%, distance from the fault is more than 200 m, and distance from areas of geothermal manifestations such as hot springs and fumaroles is more significant than 200 m. This analysis results in four delineation zones suitable for creating waste storage ponds. In the Nglimut area, there are N1 and N2; in the Gedongsongo area, there are G1 and G2 as potential zones. The best zones were N2 and G1. Locations N1 and G2 are fair zones because the eastern area of G2 is 200 m from the fault, and the northern region of N1 is close to the hot spring.

An innovative support pillow for diabetic foot wound care

Background: Treating diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) sometimes takes a long time. During treatment, the patient's feet are usually given a cushion (such as a sleeping pillow or bolster) to make the wound seen. This way, some patients reported that their feet tingled because they were not positioned rightly for an extended period. So far, no unique pillow is available for this function. This pillow would help in treating DFU and should be comfortable for patients. Thus, it is essential to research designing such a product.Purpose: To develop and test a special pillow for treating DFU.Methods: This research adopts Research and Development (R&amp;D). This research is divided into two stages: designing and developing and product testing.Results: This pillow is made of multiplex and foam, covered with Polyester fabric. It is 75mm in length and 45mm in width. It is equipped with a foot care area and waste storage tank. The test results showed that the score for comfort for the patients was 92%, while the score from the nurse was 88%.Conclusion:The pillow product helps the nurse conduct the DFU treatment and is comfortable for the patients.

Experimental study of dust emission intensity from the surface of the alluvium beach

The paper presents data on the current state of waste storage facilities of mining and processing plants in Kryvyi Rih. They are complex, environmentally hazardous hydraulic structures. When assessing the extent of dust pollution from tailing ponds, it is extremely important to know the intensity of dust emissions from the surface of the alluvium beach. This parameter is the basic one in all prognostic models used to predict environmental pollution. The paper presents the results of experimental studies to determine the wind speed at which the removal of dry dust particles from the surface of the beach of a tailing pond begins, as well as the intensity of dust removal from the surface of the beach for dry sand and wet sand. The experimental studies conducted in the laboratory allowed obtaining data on the intensity of dust emission from the surface of the tailing dump beach. The results obtained by the authors make it possible to more accurately assess the degree of environmental dustiness using predictive models. The data on determining the intensity of dust formation for sand of different moisture content will be useful for determining the effectiveness of dust suppression by supplying water to the beach surface.

Effect of combination of beef cattle feces, dairy waste water solid, and organic kitchen waste as maggot growth media (Black soldier flies) on maggot population weight and density

The livestock industry is closely associated with waste. On-farm waste such as beef cattle feces and off-farm waste in the form of dairy waste water solids can have detrimental effects on the environment if left untreated. The high nutrient content of livestock industry waste can be effectively utilized to prevent environmental pollution. However, the large amount of organic waste poses a significant challenge due to population density and the lack of land for waste storage or processing, which are unresolved issues. This waste can be processed through bioconversion, with the use of Black Soldier Flies (BSF) larvae representing a new method of organic waste treatment. This research was conducted at the Beef Cattle Teaching Farm and the Laboratory of Microbiology and Animal Husbandry Waste Handling, Faculty of Animal Science, Padjadjaran University. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of combining beef cattle feces, dairy waste water solids, and kitchen organic waste on the weight and density of maggot populations. The experimental method employed four treatments with five replications each: 100% kitchen organic waste (P0), 50% kitchen organic waste and 50% beef cattle feces (P1), 50% kitchen organic waste and 50% dairy waste water solids (P2), and 33.4% kitchen organic waste, 33.4% beef cattle feces, and 33.4% dairy waste water. The conclusion drawn from this study is that the combination of kitchen organic waste and beef cattle feces contributes to an increase in maggot population density.

An assessment of the consumption and disposal of medications home use

In the current scenario, the market society, an economic model consolidated in many parts of the world, faces some social and environmental challenges, such as the solid waste disposal and treatment of different residues generated daily, especially in big cities. In Brazil, 4,540 municipalities provided medical waste collection services, and more than a third (36.2%) sent the MS to landfills, dumps, and septic ditches. This issue faced by municipalities is challenging as they try to promote less damaging management that impacts the environment due to urban demography and fragile socio-environmental conditions. Action as reverse logistics is a strategy that enables the return of after-sales and post-consumption waste to the business environment and the productive sector, promoting the circular economy, the recovery of waste, the life cycle of products, decrease in the use of materials, reduction of environmental impacts, compliance with current regulations and non-contamination of the environment. The assessment of unusual medications and population knowledge allows drawing an overview of the disposal of uncommon medications for home use by an electronic questionnaire addressing different questions, referring to the identification of the user's profile, various forms of consumption, storage, and disposal of medication waste, and knowledge about the local regulation. Most medications consumed by the population are antibiotics, analgesics, fever reducers, and pain relief without medical recommendations, not used to seeing the expiration date, and not reading the drug leaflet. The assessment population could only pay a little for the additional tax for final medication waste disposal. Most of the participants disposed of the unusual medications in the household garbage. Finally, the reverse logistics implementation of medication waste in Brazil will be a significant challenge for decreasing the environmental impacts and pollution because of the culture of the local population.

Early detection of deep-seated smouldering fires in wood waste storage using ERT

Incidents of waste and biofuel fires are common at all stages of the waste recycling chain and have grave implications for business, employees, firefighters, society, and environment. An early detection of waste and biofuel fires in the smouldering stage could save precious lives, resources, and our environment. Existing fire detection methodologies e.g. handheld temperature sensors, IR cameras, gas sensors, and video and satellite-based monitoring techniques have inherent limitations to efficiently detect smouldering fires. An attempt was made to explore the potential of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as an alternate tool to address the problem. In the experiments an externally powered resistive wire was employed to initiate the smouldering fire inside the test material (wood pellets, wood shavings, wood fines). Time series of ERT that followed the initiation and development of smouldering were recorded using an automated monitoring instrument setup. The actual geometry of the experimental sample container and electrode setup was integrated in the 3D finite element method (FEM) model grid to perform inverse numerical modelling (inversion) and to develop resistivity tomographic images. The study shows a sharp increase in ratio of resistivity (R/Ro ≥ 50 %) in the test material in the region of smouldering hotspot and demonstrates the potential use of ERT technique for the detection of smouldering hotspots in silos and pile storage of organic material such as wood-based fuels, wood waste, coal, municipal solid waste (MSW), recyclables etc. More research is however required for enabling the use of this technique at the practical scale for different storage conditions.

An Assessment of Waste Management in Slum Communities in Freetown. It’s Implications on the Health and Safety of Inhabitants

Purpose: The study objective is to assess the state of Solid Waste Management (SWM) in slum communities in Freetown, its factors and effects on the safety and wellbeing of slum dwellers together with the challenges faced by authorities in combatting inadequate SWM system in slum and to provide recommendations with regards to interventions to promote adequate waste management in slums.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: The study took place in three slum areas around Freetown in Sierra Leone. A total sample size of 400 respondents comprising of household heads were selected. A self-administered structured questionnaire was given to a total of 400 respondents of household heads above eighteen years old. Only 392 of the 400 respondents that were initially targeted for the study completed their questionnaires at the end of the survey. The data collected was presented in tables and statistical analytical techniques or methods such as percentages and graphs were used to analyse the data and to find out the factors, effects and challenges associated with inappropriate solid waste management services in slum areas in Freetown.&#x0D; Findings: According to the study, it was found that the major categories of waste generated in households were biodegradable and food (39%) while plastic remains (31%). Most households stored their wastes in polythene bags (59.1%) and sacks (20.2%) before disposal and 10.3% of the households did not have waste storage containers and kept their wastes outside the house in the open. Poor knowledge in waste segregation practices with very minimal recycling, reuse of wastes and a resultant poor waste management system were observed in slum communities. The study helps provide a much-needed data on solid waste management (SWM) in Freetown for authorities and other stakeholders as there are limited sources of data on waste management in Sierra Leone. It also provides further literature on waste management issues for further research, policy development by the authorities and recommendations for best practice by communities and stakeholders.&#x0D; Implications to Practice and Policy: It was recommended that waste management should be prioritized as a social service, with adequate budget lines. Engage several stakeholders in the management of waste to generate a sense of responsibility and interest from all stakeholders.

Radiation-hygienic situation in the area of sublimate production waste storage of JSC “AECC”

In accordance with the fundamentals of state policy in the field of ensuring nuclear and radiation safety, State Corporation «Rosatom» carries out the remediation of JSC “AECC” nuclear legacy sites. The article presents the results of environmental impact assessment carried out in 2021-2023 in the vicinity of sublimation waste storage facilities that are being decommissioned. Health physics studies involved ambient dose rate measurements, sampling (soil, groundwater) and analysis of radiological and non radiological environmental pollutants. The external gamma dose rate, as well as content of natural and artificial radionuclides in soil, don’t exceed background levels. While uranium presence in groundwater is found to be 10 times and higher then background level. The data obtained indicate that the accumulated wastes of sludge sumps (bottom sediments, pulp) сome into contact with natural water. Flooded storage facilities form a plume of contamination spreading out in the direction of groundwater flow. Given the current situation optimization of the existing environmental monitoring programs in the JSC “AECC” health protection zone is recommended and reference levels of uranium proposed.

Analysis of combined processing method of phosphate minerals from the Kef Essenoun deposit

Currently, the processing of beige and black phosphates only concerns the main sub-layers, while the other sub-layers (lower and upper for beige phosphate and the upper for black phosphate) are considered waste rock and stored near the complex. Therefore, the object of this research is the use of mixtures of three beige phosphate sub-layers and two black phosphate sub-layers as a feed fraction for the calcination and reverses flotation processes. This research work aims to characterise and treat two types of phosphate: one beige with the sub-layers (main, lower and upper) and the other black with the sub-layers (main and upper) in order to have better recovery of P2O5. The working methodology consists of a series of sample preparation operations and characterization of the two types of beige and black phosphate. This characterization includes a petrographic study, a granulochemical analysis, an X-ray diffraction (XRD), a scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and an atomic adsorption spectrophotometry (SAA), an auto analyzer (AA), a Bernard calcimeter. These analyzes allow on the one hand to identify the mineral phases in quantitative and qualitative manner, and on the other hand to choose the process for treating phosphates from the Kef Essenoun–Tebessa deposit. The combined method of treatment by calcination followed by reverse flotation gave satisfactory results. The P2O5 content reaches 33.88 % for beige phosphate and 33.13 % for black phosphate. The stored waste rock represents a problem for the company; this waste rock contains fairly high levels of phosphate. The treatment of the mixture of the main sub-layers with these waste rocks makes it possible to obtain a better recovery of P2O5, a better economic profitability of the Djebel Onk mining complex and an environmental impact in the region.

Preparation of New Sm-Doped CuO/ZnO/CuMn2O4 Tri-Composite for Photoremoval of Dissolved Organic Waste and Dielectric-Energy Storage

Preparation of New Sm-Doped CuO/ZnO/CuMn2O4 Tri-Composite for Photoremoval of Dissolved Organic Waste and Dielectric-Energy Storage

Extraction of Valuable Components in the Process of Recycling of Technogenic Materials of Alumina Production

In the process of recycling man-made resource-saving additives into alumina raw materials, waste fireclay refractory bricks used for lining rotating furnaces and other thermal units were tested. A sufficiently high level of aluminum oxide extraction from fireclay lining has been experimentally confirmed. It has been established that when more than 95 000 tons of stored refractory fireclay brick waste is involved in the technological process, savings on a natural raw material resource are achieved: about 56 700 tons of nepheline ore.

Air quality, metal(loid) sources identification and environmental assessment using (bio)monitoring in the former mining district of Salsigne (Orbiel valley, France)

The former mining district of Salsigne is situated in the Orbiel valley. Until the 20th century, it was the first gold mine in Europe and the first arsenic mine in the world. Rehabilitation has been performed during the 20 years that followed closure of the mines and factories, which led to the accumulation of storage of several million tons of waste in this valley. Nevertheless, a detailed description of the air quality of this area is still missing. The goal of the present study is to evaluate atmospheric contamination in the valley and identify the potential sources of this contamination.Active monitors (particulate matter samplers) and passive bioindicators (Tillandsia usneoides) were placed in strategic sites including remote areas. Over the year 2022, we assessed the air quality using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, as well as environmental risk indicators to report the level of contamination.Results indicate that the overall air quality in the valley is good with PM10 levels in accordance with EU standards. Elemental concentrations in the exposed plants were lower than reported in the literature. Among the different sites studied, Nartau and La Combe du Saut, corresponding to waste storage and former mining industry sites, were the most affected. Chronic exposure over 1 year was highlighted for Fe, Ni, Cu, Pb, Sb and As. Pollution Load Index and Enrichment Factors, which provided valuable information to assess the environmental condition of the valley's air, suggested that dust and resuspension of anthropogenic materials were the principle sources for most of the elements. Finally, this study also highlights that using T. usneoides could be a convenient approach for biomonitoring of metal (loid)-rich particles in the atmosphere within a former mining area, for at least one year. These results in turn allow to better understand the effects of chronic exposure on the ecosystem.

Monitoring moisture dynamics in multi-layer cover systems for mine tailings reclamation using autonomous and remote time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography

The dynamics of moisture content in cover systems constructed on mining wastes were monitored at the pilot scale using 2D autonomous, remote, and non-invasive time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography combined with conventional point sensors. A methodology was proposed to process the daily hydrogeophysical datasets from 23 m-long instrumented sections of covers with capillary barrier effects (CCBEs) designed to act as oxygen barriers, and covers with low saturated hydraulic conductivity layers (LSHCCs) designed to limit the water infiltration rate. Hydrogeophysical monitoring suggested that CCBEs were able to maintain high degrees of saturation in the moisture-retaining layer throughout the one-year monitoring period, which would make it an efficient oxygen barrier. Larger spatio-temporal changes in moisture content were observed in LSHCCs and most of the low hydraulic conductivity layers remained below 85% saturation, which was attributed to the combined effect of low precipitation, rapid vegetation development, and water percolation through the cover. The methodology proposed in this pilot-scale "proof-of-concept" study allowed the hydrogeological behavior of the cover systems to be monitored in the 23 m-long instrumented sections using continuous geoelectrical data, which demonstrated that this innovative monitoring technique could be useful for geochemical and geotechnical monitoring programs in large-scale mining waste storage facilities.

Effective waste management in service industry: Fuzzy-based modelling approach for strategic decision-making.

Hospitals need to identify issues of greater importance on waste management because the implementation of many different strategies may lead to an unconscious increase in costs. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to define the most effective waste management strategies in the service industry. For this purpose, a novel fuzzy decision-making model is proposed that has two different stages. In this context, six JCI-based indicators are weighted by using sine trigonometric fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology. Additionally, a comparative evaluation has also been conducted with sine trigonometric fuzzy Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) technique to check the reliability of the findings. On the other hand, five different strategy alternatives are selected by considering the principles of the integrated waste management hierarchy approach. These items are evaluated by considering sine trigonometric fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity (TOPSIS). On the other side, these factors are also ranked with the help of sine trigonometric fuzzy Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) to test the consistency of the results. The main contribution is that prior strategies can be presented to the hospitals to have appropriate waste management process by defining the most important factors. Criteria weighting and alternative ranking results are the same in all combinations. Therefore, it is seen that the proposed model creates coherent and consistent results. It is defined that efficient storage of waste is the key issue to have effective waste management process. Moreover, 'reduce' is found as the most critical stage of this process.

URANIUM BEHAVIOR DURING THE FORMATION AND SUBSEQUENT STORAGE OF SOLID RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM CONVERSION PRODUCTION

A complex of physicochemical studies of solid radioactive wastes (RW) of the near-surface storage facility from conversion uranium production was carried out. It has been established that the composition of the wastes is represented mainly by calcium compounds: gypsum, calcite, and calcium fluoride. Uranium is distributed throughout the entire volume of wastes. At the same time, uranium is unevenly concentrated along the depth of the sludge. The content of uranium in the wastes is 0.005-0.65 wt. %. Uranium was predominantly adsorbed on the surface of sludge by main components during the formation of the wastes solid phase. Uranium was partially precipitated in the form of calcium-containing weeksite Ca2(UO2)2(Si2O5)3·10H2O, uranophane-alpha Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2·5H2O, and urankalcarite Ca(UO2)3CO3(OH)6·3H2O. The isotopic composition of uranium contained in the storage wastes corresponds, within the error, to the normal isotopic composition of natural uranium. Near-surface storage is constantly exposed to natural factors. Infiltration of atmospheric condensation leads to leaching of some components from solid RW. At the same time, uranium goes into solution in the form of [(UO2)2CO3(OH)3]-, [UO2(CO3)2]2-, [UO2(CO3)3]4- and Ca2UO2(CO3)3. The subsequent migration of uranium with infiltrating water contributes to its distribution within the entire sludge field, including the reclamation soil layer and the near-surface pond. In some areas of the storage facility, the uranium content in the reclamation soil layer reaches 0.043 wt.%. The concentration of uranium in the pond was 17.97 mg L-1. The chemical composition of the pond water was characterized by a high content of chloride-ions (1.29 g L-1), calcium (630 mg L-1), sulfate-ions (224 mg L-1), hydrocarbonates (122 mg L-1). The pond is connected to groundwater, which increases the risk of pollutants escaping beyond the storage facility. For citation: Skripchenko S.Yu., Titova S.М., Nalivaiko K.A., Semenishchev V.S. Uranium behavior during the formation and subsequent storage of solid radioactive wastes from conversion production. ChemChemTech [Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol.]. 2024. V. 67. N 5. P. 77-86. DOI: 10.6060/ivkkt.20246705.6925.