Article
Engineering, Environmental
Minhsuan Chen, Kazuyuki Oshita, Masaki Takaoka, Kenji Shiota
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of sewage sludge phosphorus content on heavy metal behavior during co-incineration with municipal solid waste. It found that co-incineration delayed pyrolysis and polymer/fixed carbon incineration, resulting in increased sludge ratio and shifted weight loss peak. The study also observed a higher residual heavy metal ratio after sewage sludge mono-incineration compared to MSW. It further identified a synergistic effect of co-incineration on copper, but not on lead or cadmium.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yu Liang, Donghai Xu, Peng Feng, Botian Hao, Yang Guo, Shuzhong Wang, Jiri Jaromir Klemes
Summary: The incineration of municipal sewage sludge is a relatively mature technology, but it still faces challenges in pollutant emission. Co-combustion is a method that does not require new equipment and can be more environmentally friendly.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Elena C. Blanco, Mariano Martin, Pastora Vega
Summary: Water-energy nexus is a hot topic nowadays, especially the energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study presents a process-level analysis to investigate the feasibility of integrating wastewater and municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment to achieve self-sustainable operation of WWTP. The influence of climate on energy requirements in different regions of the Iberian Peninsula is also evaluated. The results show that integrating these two treatments is technically and economically feasible for a fully self-sufficient and sustainable process.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Sara Tominc, Vilma Ducman, Wolfgang Wisniewski, Tero Luukkonen, Gunvor M. Kirkelund, Lisbeth M. Ottosen
Summary: This review provides an overview of methods to extract valuable resources from the ash fractions of various sources. It emphasizes the importance of tapping into secondary sources and prioritizes extraction technologies that have an optimum environmental profile. The review also focuses on potential applications for the mineral residues left after extraction.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Afsane Sedighi, Mohsen Karrabi, Bahar Shahnavaz, Morteza Mostafavinezhad
Summary: This study investigated the potential for biogas production from anaerobic codigestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste and sewage sludge under mesophilic conditions. The results showed that the best outputs were achieved at TS = 5% and ISR = 2, with the highest biogas yield and methane production.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Michal Hyrycz, Marek Ochowiak, Andzelika Krupinska, Sylwia Wlodarczak, Magdalena Matuszak
Summary: Mechanical sludge dewatering is an essential step in municipal wastewater treatment to reduce sludge generation and transportation cost. This article discusses the theory of flocculation, sewage sludge, and its dewatering process. It explores the mechanisms, kinetics, and classification of flocculants, as well as the impact of various parameters on the efficiency of flocculation and dewatering. Experimental studies on different types of sludge are compared, and the literature review provides insights into the progress and future directions in this field.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xingdong Wang, Victor Wei-Chung Chang, Zhiwei Li, Zhan Chen, Yin Wang
Summary: The co-pyrolysis of organic fractions of municipal solid waste with sewage sludge can enhance biochar properties, increase pH values and carbon contents, and transform heavy metals into more stable forms, reducing their environmental risk in blended biochars. However, the addition of PVC hindered biochar properties and compromised heavy metals immobilization during sewage sludge pyrolysis.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kiwon Oh, Hongyan Ma, Haozhe Yi, Rui Kou, David Vollero, David Schmidenberg, Yu Qiao
Summary: This study investigates a novel processing technique for municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ashes. By utilizing an alkaline activator and compaction pressure, MSWI ashes can be transformed into strong solids with high flexural and compressive strengths. The produced material is dense and low in defects. The study examines the effects of compaction pressure range, alkaline activator amount, and the ratio of MSWI fly ash to bottom ash. Additives such as class-C fly ash, class-F fly ash, and epoxy are explored as well. This research opens pathways for advanced upcycling approaches of MSWI ash, contributing to environmental preservation and sustainability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alice do Carmo Precci Lopes, Christian Ebner, Frederic Gerke, Marco Wehner, Sabine Robra, Sebastian Hupfauf, Anke Bockreis
Summary: This study successfully demonstrated the technical feasibility of co-digesting the mechanically separated organic fraction of residual waste with sewage sludge, resulting in a stable anaerobic co-digestion process that produced significant methane and improved dewaterability of the digestate. The microbial community was fully functional with no inhibition observed, suggesting the potential for this method to be implemented at wastewater treatment plants to enhance biogas production and reduce the demand for non-renewable fertilizers.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Jianfu Liu, Liang Zheng
Summary: This study analyzes the development trend of municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment in China from 2011 to 2020 and provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of sustainable MSW management. The study finds that MSW generation declined in 2020 due to factors such as low urban population growth, the implementation of garbage classification policies, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift from landfill to incineration is expected to increase significantly in the coming years, although there are still several structural problems that need to be addressed.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jian Sun, Lei Wang, Jinjin Yu, Binglin Guo, Liang Chen, Yuying Zhang, Diwei Wang, Zhenxing Shen, Daniel C. W. Tsang
Summary: This study tailored four binders for low-carbon stabilization/solidification (S/S) of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MIFA) and successfully decreased the leachability of potentially toxic elements. The cytotoxicity of treated MIFA was significantly reduced, with phosphate-modified treatments showing the lowest reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducing abilities and enhanced tolerant dosage of cytotoxicity.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dan Cudjoe, Patience Mensah Acquah
Summary: Incineration of solid waste is a popular waste treatment method worldwide, but improper handling can lead to harmful emissions. This study examines the environmental consequences of incineration in 56 African countries, finding that the global warming potential is expected to increase for most countries by 2025, except for Seychelles and Saint Helena. High dioxin emission potential was observed in South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and Nigeria in both 2012 and 2025.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shipeng Zhang, Zaid Ghouleh, Zhen He, Lingling Hu, Yixin Shao
Summary: This study evaluates the feasibility of using MSWI-BA as a partial replacement for cement in dry-cast concrete, showing that BA concrete has higher strength and durability compared to ordinary Portland cement concrete. Additionally, the addition of BA in dry-cast concrete improves resistance to freeze-thaw damage.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shuai Wang, Caihong Xue, Qingxin Zhao, Yanying Bai, Weichao Guo, Yuxuan Shi, Yongxiang Qiu, Huimin Pan
Summary: A novel binder was developed from municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWIFA) and phosphogypsum (PG). The results showed that MSWIFA can effectively activate GGBS and FA, improving the compressive strength of the ternary binder MGF. The addition of 5% PG further enhanced the strength of MGF, while excessive PG caused reduction in compressive strength.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Sonil Nanda, Franco Berruti
Summary: This paper reviews various waste-to-energy technologies, including traditional thermal incineration and modern hydrothermal incineration, as well as thermochemical and biological conversion technologies for the transformation of solid waste into biofuel products. Furthermore, it comprehensively discusses the current status, opportunities, and challenges of municipal solid waste management.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojian Liu, Bei Wang, Yayun Ma, Xiangyang Zhou, Juan Yang, Yuehui He, Jingjing Tang, Fanyun Su, Wan Yang
Summary: This study proposes a combined process of reduction roasting of herb-medicine residue and oxalic acid leaching to improve the recovery efficiency of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries. By utilizing the reducing gas produced from the pyrolysis of herb-medicine residue, the layered structure of the cathode powder is destroyed and converted into Li2CO3, Ni, Co, and MnO. Additionally, selective extraction of lithium is achieved using oxalic acid, and the efficiency and kinetics of lithium extraction are improved under the combined action of herb-medicine residue and oxalic acid.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muxina Konarova, Nuno Batalha, Gabriel Fraga, Mohamed H. M. Ahmed, Steven Pratt, Bronwyn Laycock
Summary: This study presents a proof of concept for a technology that integrates PET recovery from mixed plastic waste and plastic pyrolysis. By depolymerizing PET into TPA using a low volatility oil as medium, it achieves low-pressure operation and a selective separation and recovery of TPA from the product mix. Full PET conversion and high TPA recovery were achieved, making it an effective solution for processing mixed waste streams and improving the yield and quality of liquid product from thermal pyrolysis compared to untreated feedstock.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhenhua Sun, Jing Li, Xuejiang Wang, Siqing Xia, Jianfu Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the influence of in-situ formed MgFe2O4 on the hydrothermal treatment of swine manure. The results showed that the in-situ formation of MgFe2O4 improved the dehydration and decarboxylation of organic components in swine manure, thereby improving its carbonization degree. Furthermore, it enhanced the stabilization of heavy metals and the retention of phosphorus. MgFe2O4 modified hydrochars exhibited remarkable adsorption capacity for Pb(II) and Cu(II) without any leaching of heavy metals.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yijing Jiang, Boyang Leng, Jingxin Xi
Summary: The increased generation of municipal solid waste has had a significant impact on the economy, environment, and public health. The current waste treatment process has limitations. By developing a comprehensive social costing model, this study assesses the impacts of municipal solid waste management throughout its life cycle and provides policymakers with best practices and feasibility information.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marina Hernandes de Paula e Silva, Ricardo Coser Mergulha, Jose Geraldo Vidal Vieira, Andrea Brasco Pampanelli, Rodrigo Salvador, Diogo Aparecido Lopes Silva
Summary: This study developed and implemented a self-assessment tool to assist companies in decision-making processes for establishing circular flows based on Lean Manufacturing and Circular Economy principles. The tool utilized a maturity model and was applied to nine companies of varying characteristics. The findings revealed that certain companies showed higher maturity in water-waste and chemical-emissions management, with larger enterprises focusing on these strategies. However, many companies lacked sufficient training and employee awareness prior to seeking cleaner alternatives, and comprehensive actions to manage the product lifecycle were lacking. To address these gaps, the tool provided tailored recommendations for each company to improve their processes, products, and value chain.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gamze Dogdu, Turgay Pekdemir, Sanaz Lakestani, Seyda Karabork, Osman Cavus
Summary: This paper presents data on food waste associated with mini size food packaging services, highlighting the difficulties in emptying the food and consumer wastefulness as the main causes. These findings have significant implications for the sustainability of food and relevant packaging.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingxia Li, Xin Kong, Yuxin Chen, Jianan Niu, Jia Jing, Jin Yuan, Yifeng Zhang
Summary: This study investigates how to enhance methane production from food waste after hydrothermal pretreatment. The results demonstrate a significant increase in methane yield when zero-valent iron and magnetite are used together, and high organic loading is favorable for methane production. Microbial diversity analysis further reveals the dominant pathways and metabolic processes involved in methane generation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
D. H. H. Sim, I. A. W. Tan, L. L. P. Lim, E. T. Lau, B. H. Hameed
Summary: The development of controlled-release fertilizer formulation is important for preventing environmental pollution caused by nutrient leaching and volatilization. This study combined biochar-based fertilizer with encapsulation technology to improve the nutrient release mechanism. Optimal conditions for synthesizing urea-impregnated biochar (UIB) were determined using central composite design, and the release of nitrogen was described by mathematical models. Results showed that encapsulated UIB (EUIB) achieved complete release of nitrogen in water and exhibited improved water retention in sandy-textural soil. Therefore, EUIB derived from peppercorn waste has the potential to be used as a sustainable controlled-release fertilizer for agriculture.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuchuan Wang, Neslihan Akdeniz
Summary: Incorporating biochar into composting systems can increase compost temperatures. This study developed a heat transfer model for a biochar-amended co-composting system and found that biochar increased thermal conductive losses but also enhanced microbial activity, resulting in an overall increase in total heat unit. When biochar was applied on the surface, it mainly functioned as an insulator.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
George Tsalis, Birger Boutrup Jensen, Jessica Aschemann-Witzel
Summary: This paper empirically explores the relationship between retail price promotions and household food waste. The results show that households with a higher proportion of discount food purchases and environmental awareness tend to waste less food, while larger households and those lacking food handling skills tend to waste more food.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lukas Friederici, Arne Koch, Patrick Martens, Jana Pantzke, Sebastiano Di Bucchianico, Thorsten Streibel, Christopher P. Rueger, Ralf Zimmermann
Summary: The increasing demand for lightweight materials has led to a rise in fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) production. However, the properties and compositional range of FRPs pose challenges to recycling strategies. Pyrolysis has emerged as a promising method for separating the fibers from the polymer matrix. This study investigated the pyrolysis process using thermal analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and also assessed the toxicity of the recovered fibers using an in vitro model.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Devika Kannan, Shakiba Khademolqorani, Nassibeh Janatyan, Somaieh Alavi
Summary: This paper introduces Smart Waste Management (SWM) that applies Industry 4.0 technologies in waste management. A framework called SWM4.0 is developed, which highlights the importance of smart people, smart cities, smart enterprises, and smart factories in achieving successful waste management. The paper also suggests future research directions and managerial implications.