Potential utilization of rubberwood flour and sludge waste from natural rubber manufacturing process as reinforcement in plastic composites

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The present study aims to evaluate and compare the potential of rubberwood flour (RWF) and sludge waste from manufacturing process of the...     

Quantitative characterization of recyclable resources dismantled from waste liquid crystal display products

Currently only limited materials, such as common metals and plastics, are recovered from waste flat-panel displays, thus necessitating the development of a comprehensive recycling process. This study aims to establish a statistical database about the types and amounts of valuable resources in waste liquid crystal display (LCD) products. To obtain these data, the waste LCD products were disassembled into four components: plastics, printed circuit boards, metals, and other materials, including their panels, and the weight of each component was measured. Overall, the product weight decreased with increasing manufacturing year regardless of the product screen size; however, the decreasing rate varied from 14 to 73%. The metal weight ratios decreased significantly by 24–31%. Meanwhile, regardless of the manufacturing year, the plastic weight ratios remained almost constant at about 20%. On the other hand, the weight ratio of the other components increased by 26–46% with increasing manufacturing year suggesting that rare-earth metal recycling has become more important. These statistical analyses are expected to contribute to the development of an eco-friendly, high-efficiency dismantling/separation process that will enable higher value recycling and minimal waste disposal.     

Life cycle assessment of biodiesel fuel production from waste cooking oil in Okayama City

A life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed to make clear of the actual environment impacts from conversation of waste cooking oil (WCO) to biodiesel fuel (BDF) in Okayama. A scenario analysis is carried out based on different participation rate of residents who separate WCO from general waste, corresponding to different BDF utilisation rate in transportation system. Sub scenarios complying with different gas emission standards regarding vehicles are designed as well. Afterwards, life cycle impact assessment is conducted to focus on global warming, acidification, and urban air pollution. Overall improvement of almost all kinds of life cycle inventories is significant when diesel is replaced with BDF, demonstrating that a shift from WCO-to-incineration to WCO-to-BDF is more beneficial. Under carbon neutral, compared to base scenario (S0), about 746.05 ton CO₂ emission will be reduced annually in the scenario with 100 % BDF utilisation in vehicles (S4). Meanwhile, total external cost in three environmental impacts (EI) sharply reduces by 51.90 %, showing much economic sustainability in S4. Moreover, the manufacturing cost for producing one litter WCO-to-BDF is 97.32 Yen. Sensitivity analysis shows that the gas emission standard regarding vehicles had much bigger effect on EI than BDF manufacturing process in this research.     

LCA to Evaluate the Environmental Impact for Chemical Pre-treatment in Plastics Metallization

The life cycle assessment methodology was used to calculate the environmental impacts of the current chemical pre-treatment with chromium(VI) for electroplating acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The inventory comprised: the procurement of chemicals; the manufacturing process with successive baths and rinses that requires, in addition to chemicals, energy to heat baths, air agitation, filtration, and so forth, wastewater treatment and air emissions; and also the treatment of sludges from wastewater treatment and exhausted baths. Chromic acid was almost the unique responsible of eco-toxicity (97.5 %) and human toxicity-cancer (99.8 %) and it was one of the highest contributor to climate change, cumulative energy demand, fossil fuel depletion, human toxicity non-cancer, and in abiotic depletion.     

Recycling PC and TV waste glass in clay bricks and roof tiles

Disposal of PC monitors and TV sets is a growing problem, with over 40% of the weight of these systems comprised of waste glasses with high Pb (funnel) or Ba–Sr concentrations (panel), making them unsuitable for recycling and manufacturing new glass. A possible way to re-use these glasses is in the manufacturing of clay bricks and roof tiles. This possibility was appraised by laboratory simulation of the brickmaking process and technological characterization of unfired and fired products. The recycling of both funnel and panel glasses into clay bodies is technologically feasible, resulting in a substantially reduced plasticity behaviour during shaping–drying (implying a reduction of mechanical strength), and a promotion of sintering during firing. No significant release of Pb, Ba, and Sr was observed during the firing and leaching test for the carbonate-poor body; in contrast, some Pb volatilization during firing and Sr leaching were observed for the carbonate-rich body. Additions of 2 wt.% appear to be practicable, while 5 wt.% glass induces unacceptable modifications of technological properties. The recommended amount is within 2 and 4 wt.%, depending on the characteristics of the clay bodies. The main constraint is that the glass must have a particle size below the limit of the pan mills used in brickmaking (<1 mm).     

A new approach to metal- and polymer-recovery from metallized plastic waste using mechanical treatment and subcritical solvents

Galvanized or “chromium-plated” plastics are well known to the consumer from the automotive sector and sanitary area. Polymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) are typically coated with a layer system of chromium, nickel and copper to obtain the characteristic optical surface and resistance properties. Due to the complex manufacturing process and high quality requirements, the production of these plastic metal composites generates 10–30% of rejects. We, therefore, developed an innovative process cascade for the recovery of both components (metal and polymer) applying established technologies (mechanical pre-treatment, classification, melt filtration, CreaSolv^® Process) and were able to obtain ABS regranulate having excellent properties regarding the characteristic values for strength but slight compromises in impact characteristics. Blends with different amounts of virgin ABS, virgin PC and recycled ABS material as well as the pure cases were successfully re-metallized, all of them passing adhesion test, thermal shock resistance and CASS test. The high purity of the recovered materials led to increased redemption prices for metal and polymer by a factor of 6 and 2.5, respectively. Thus, the value added of metallized plastic waste is maximized, revealing a highly positive economic prognosis of a commercial implementation of the developed process—even at moderate scale.     

Evaluating the manufacturability and combustion behaviors of sludge-derived fuel briquettes

Based on the physical and chemical properties as well as calorific values of pulp sludge and textile sludge, this study investigates the differences between manufacturability, relationship between extrusion pressure and formability, as well as stability and combustion behaviors of extruded sludge-derived fuel briquettes (ESBB) and cemented sludge-derived fuel blocks (CSBB). The optimum proportion and relevant usage ESBB policies are proposed as well. Experimental results indicate that a large amount of water can be saved during the ESBB manufacturing process. Additionally, energy consumption decreases during the drying process. ESBB also has a more compact structure than that of CSBB, and its mean penetration loading is approximately 18.7 times higher as well. Moreover, the flame temperature of ESBB (624–968 °C) is significantly higher than that of CSBB (393–517 °C). Also, the dry bulk density and moisture regain of ESBB is significantly related to the penetration loading. Furthermore, the optimum mix proportion of ESBB is co-determined by the formability of pulp sludge and the calorific values of textile sludge. While considering the specific conditions (including formability, stability and calorific values), the recommended mix proportion for ESBB is PS50TS50.     

喷淋工艺处理PVC塑料生产废气

采用喷淋工艺处理PVC塑料生产废气,将专利的吸收液与改型的喷淋塔相结合,在中试成功的基础上进行了实际工业化应用。应用结果表明:采用该工艺处理某PVC塑料生产企业的生产废气,吸收液在喷淋塔循环液中所占体积分数为15%时,废气中各污染物指标的去除率达85%以上,对于难处理的苯系物也能较好地去除;处理后废气中各污染物指标的含量满足GB 14554—1993《恶臭污染物排放标准》和DB 44/27—2001《大气污染物排放限值》的要求;该工艺装置运行费用较低,仅为电费和少量药剂费用,吸收液可循环使用,设备保养及维护简单,可满足市场需求。     

Novel Biocomposites Sheet Molding Compounds for Low Cost Housing Panel Applications

Biocomposites were made by a novel high volume processing technique named biocomposite sheet molding compound panel (BCSMCP) manufacturing process. This process design was inspired by the commercial glass fiber–polyester resin composite fabrication method called sheet molding compounding (SMC). This process yields continuous production of biocomposites on a large scale, and thus can be easily adopted in industries. A unique fiber dispersion method, which enabled uniform distribution of natural fibers, was used in this process. Consistency of the process was tested by evaluating the repeatability of the resultant materials mechanical properties. The low cost biocomposites produced as a result of the processing will be used for various panel applications such as housing and transportation. The molded samples were tested for various mechanical and thermal properties, in accordance with ASTM procedures. The biocomposites were made with various natural fibers including, big blue stem grass, jute, and industrial hemp. By combining different natural fibers in varying mass fractions, hybrid biocomposites were made using this process. Grass fiber reinforced polyester biocomposites processed by the SMC line showed very promising results.     

Lessons Learned About the Nature of Groundwater Contamination by PAHs: A Case History–Based Discussion

Observations taken during the investigation and remediation of a water supply borehole contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are used to discuss how existing methods can define such contamination. In this example, the PAH originated from carbon black used in a manufacturing process. The extent of the contamination was investigated and the flow path for the pollutants to enter the borehole identified. Two attempts were made to destroy the contaminants using hydrogen peroxide following different procedures. The observations made during the investigations, treatment, and sampling results are reviewed to determine possible explanations for the observed behavior and to assess the effectiveness of the treatment methods with the benefits of hindsight. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Utilization of textile effluent wastewater treatment plant sludge as brick material

In the present work, the feasibility of using sludge generated in wastewater treatment plants of textile industry as a partial replacement for clay in the conventional brick manufacturing process is examined. Physico-chemical properties of the sludge and clay were studied. The characteristics of bricks with replacement of sludge (0–50 %) with an increment of 3 % were determined. All the brick samples satisfied the requirements of Indian Standards norms in terms of weight loss on ignition. The bricks with sludge up to 15 % satisfied the prescribed norms for compressive strength and water absorption. Results also showed that the brick weight loss on ignition was mainly attributed to the organic matter content in the sludge being burnt off during the firing process. The characteristics of bricks such as efflorescence, density and weight loss on ignition for bricks with replacement of clayey soil with textile sludge up to 15 % also satisfied the requirements of the Indian Standard. Thus, textile sludge up to 15 % can be effectively added to make brick material.     

Recovery of Nd and Dy from rare earth magnetic waste sludge by hydrometallurgical process

This paper describes a hydrometallurgical process for recovering neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy) from a magnetic waste sludge generated from the Nd–Fe–B(–Dy) manufacturing process. Phase analysis by XRD study revealed Nd(OH)₃ and Fe₂O₃ as main mineral phases, and chemical analysis by ICP showed the contents of 35.1 wt% Nd, 29.5 wt% Fe, 1.1 wt% Dy and 0.5 wt% B. A solution of 1 M HNO₃ + 0.3 M H₂O₂ was used to dissolve up to 98 % Nd and 81 % Dy, while keeping Fe dissolution below 15 % within 10 min. Fe dissolved in solution was completely removed as Fe(OH)₃ at pH 3 followed by precipitation of Nd and Dy with oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) and recovered 91.5 % of Nd and 81.8 % of Dy from solution. The precipitate containing Nd and Dy was calcined at 800 °C to obtain Nd₂O₃ as final product with 68 % purity, and final recovery of 69.7 % Nd and 51 % of Dy was reported in this process.     

A New Approach of BioCO2 Fixation by Thermoplastic Processing of Microalgae

Effective sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) by algae reduces greenhouse gases effect on global warming. Algae biomass or residual such as biomeal from algae biofuel processing can be judiciously used for industrial applications such as fertilizer, animal feed, and plastics. Conversion of algae into useful plastic materials can be accomplished by extrusion technology. During algal plastic manufacturing, up to 20% thermoplastic algal blends can be fixated into or encapsulated by a non-biodegradable polymer such as polyolefin, which is known to be resistant to abiotic or biotic degradation. As a result, CO₂ that is captured by algae through photosynthesis is permanently stored in a form of biomass and will not be released back into the atmosphere. The extrusion of microalgae reported in this article is a novel process to sequester CO₂ and at the same time it makes a good use of the algae biomass in plastic manufacturing. Mechanical properties of the thin plastic films containing microalgae are comparable to the neat polyurethane or polyethylene films. Injection molded articles containing microalgae are dimensionally stable. However, a lower tensile strength, especially elongation at break, is observed in comparison to the neat polypropylene.     

Semi-continuous anaerobic co-digestion of orange peel waste and residual glycerol derived from biodiesel manufacturing

The manufacturing of orange juice generates high volumes of orange peel waste which should not be deposited in landfill according to current recommendations. Furthermore, glycerol is a compound co-generated in biodiesel manufacturing, but the volume generated is higher than the current demand for pure glycerol. The anaerobic co-digestion of orange peel waste with residual glycerol could reduce the inhibitory effect of some compounds and provide a correct nutrient balance. Under mesophilic temperature and semi-continuous conditions, a mixture of orange peel waste-residual glycerol of 1:1 (in COD) operated favorably for organic loads up to 2.10 g VS/L. At higher organic loads, the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and a decrease in the pH caused process destabilization. The methane yield coefficient was quite constant, with a mean value of 330 ± 51 mL_STP/g VS_added, while the organic loading rate (OLR) reached a mean value of 1.91 ± 0.37 kg VS/m³ d (17.59 ± 2.78 kg mixture/m³ d) and the hydraulic retention time (HRT) varied in a range of 8.5–30.0 d.     

In situ hypochlorous acid generation for the treatment of syntan wastewater

A new treatment process was employed to treat wastewater generated from a factory manufacturing syntan (synthetic tannin). In this treatment process, in-situ production of hypochlorous acid was achieved by the use of an aqueous sodium chloride solution for chlorine production. As the graphite anode and stainless steel cathode zones were kept unseparated, the hypochlorous acid was produced by electrolysis. The hypochlorous acid was utilized for the oxidation of organic matter present in the wastewater. The results showed that for an initial COD concentration of 10,000 mg/l, a turbidity of 277 NTU, a tannin concentration of 4000 mg/l, a temperature of 27±1°C, a current density of 42.5 mA/cm², a sodium chloride content of 3% and an electrolysis period of 210 min showed an effluent COD concentration of 230 mg/l, a turbidity of 9 NTU, a tannin concentration below the detection limit and a temperature of 37±2°C.     

A chemox treatment for urea‐ and ammonium‐contaminated groundwater

In a pilot project performed at a fertilizer manufacturing facility, a one‐step chemical oxidation technique successfully treated urea‐ and ammonium‐contaminated groundwater. The oxidation reaction occurred in an 1,100‐gallon batch reactor. The contaminated inflow was buffered by the metered addition of sodium bicarbonate solution and subsequently treated with sodium hypochlorite in an 8:1 weight ratio of Cl₂:N. In an instantaneous reaction, the urea and ammo‐nium‐N were completely oxidized to nitrogen gas that was vented to the atmosphere during mixing. The pH of the reactor discharge was ?6.5. Sodium sulfite was used to reduce residual hypochlorite in the reactor effluent to chloride to provide process water with characteristics suitable for discharge. Oxidation rates were similar with different strengths of hypochlorite; however, a 5 to 6 percent sodium hypochlorite (as Cl₂) solution was the most stable. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

用低品位磷矿制备生态型磷肥

以低品位磷矿、腐植酸（风化煤）和硫酸为原料，研究了制备有效P2O5转化率高、表观物性好的生态型磷肥生产工艺。研究结果表明：在采用传统方法生产过磷酸钙的过程中加入风化煤可明显改善磷肥的表观物性，提高有效P2O5的转化率。制备生态型磷肥的最佳工艺条件：硫酸质量分数60％、硫酸加入量105％、搅拌转速500r／min、反应时间15min、100g磷矿粉中风化煤加入量为8～12g。     

The Hidden Potential of Mass‐based Treatment: A Method for Preventing Rebound

A major challenge for in situ treatment is rebound. Rebound is the return of contaminant concentrations to near original levels following treatment, and frequently occurs because much of the residual nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) trapped within the soil capillaries or rock fractures remains unreachable by conventional in situ treatment. Fine‐textured strata have an especially strong capacity to absorb and retain contaminants. Through matrix diffusion, the contaminants dissolve back into groundwater and return with concentrations that can approach pretreatment levels. The residual NAPL then serves as a continuing source of contamination that may persist for decades or longer. A 0.73‐acre (0.3‐hectare) site in New York City housed a manufacturer of roofing materials for approximately 60 years. Coal tar served as waterproofing material in the manufacturing process and releases left behind residual NAPL in soils. An estimated 47,000 pounds (21,360 kg) of residual coal tar NAPL contaminated soils and groundwater. The soils contained strata composed of sands, silty sands, and silty clay. A single treatment using the RemMetrik^® process and Pressure Pulse Technology^® (PPT) targeted the contaminant mass and delivered alkaline‐activated sodium persulfate to the NAPL at the pore‐scale level via in situ treatment. Posttreatment soil sampling demonstrated contaminant mass reductions over 90 percent. Reductions in posttreatment median groundwater concentrations ranged from 49 percent for toluene to 92 percent for xylenes. Benzene decreased by 87 percent, ethylbenzene by 90 percent, naphthalene by 80 percent, and total BTEX by 91 percent. Mass flux analysis three years following treatment shows sustained reductions in BTEX and naphthalene, and no rebound. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Recycling of high purity selenium from CIGS solar cell waste materials

Copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) is a promising material in thin film solar cell production. To make CIGS solar cells more competitive, both economically and environmentally, in comparison to other energy sources, methods for recycling are needed. In addition to the generally high price of the material, significant amounts of the metals are lost in the manufacturing process. The feasibility of recycling selenium from CIGS through oxidation at elevated temperatures was therefore examined. During oxidation gaseous selenium dioxide was formed and could be separated from the other elements, which remained in solid state. Upon cooling, the selenium dioxide sublimes and can be collected as crystals. After oxidation for 1 h at 800 °C all of the selenium was separated from the CIGS material. Two different reduction methods for reduction of the selenium dioxide to selenium were tested. In the first reduction method an organic molecule was used as the reducing agent in a Riley reaction. In the second reduction method sulphur dioxide gas was used. Both methods resulted in high purity selenium. This proves that the studied selenium separation method could be the first step in a recycling process aimed at the complete separation and recovery of high purity elements from CIGS.