Effectiveness of aerobic pretreatment of municipal solid waste for accelerating biogas generation during simulated landfilling

Effect of aerobic pretreatment of MSW on landfill gas generation was investigated. Volatile solid (VS) loss of MSW is an effective and comparable indicator. Chinese MSW requires at least a reduction of VS about 27% (w/w) prior to disposal. Aerobic pretreatment of MSW reduced lag phase more than 90% before methanogenesis. Aerobic pretreatment degree influences quantity of gas generation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of aerobic pretreatment of municipal solid waste (MSW) on reducing lag phase and accelerating biogas generation. Aerobic pretreatment degree (APD) was determined on the basis of reduction in volatile solids (VS) on a wet weight basis. In this study, intermittent aeration (IA) was applied to three reactors as a main aeration mode; since a single reactor was operated under continuous aeration mode. However, the purpose of the experiment was to reduce VS content of waste, irrespective of the comparison between aeration modes. Fresh MSW was first pretreated aerobically with different aeration rates (10, 40, 60 and 85 L/min/m³) for the period of 30–50 days, resulting in VS-loss equivalent to 20%, 27%, 38% and 53% on w/w basis for the wastes A1, A2, A3 and A4, respectively. The cumulative biogas production, calculated based on the modified Gompertz model were 384, 195, 353, 215, and 114 L/kg VS for the wastes A0, A1, A2, A3 and A4, respectively. Untreated waste (A0) showed a long lag phase; whereas the lag phases of pretreated MSW were reduced by more than 90%. Aerobically pretreated wastes reached stable methanogenic phase within 41 days compared to 418 days for untreated waste. The waste mass decreased by about 8% to 27% compared to untreated MSW, indicative that even more MSW could be placed in the same landfill. The study confirmed the effectiveness of aerobic pretreatment of MSW prior to landfilling on reducing lag phase and accelerating biogas generation.     

MSWNet: A visual deep machine learning method adopting transfer learning based upon ResNet 50 for municipal solid waste sorting

● MSWNet was proposed to classify municipal solid waste. ● Transfer learning could promote the performance of MSWNet. ● Cyclical learning rate was adopted to quickly tune hyperparameters. An intelligent and efficient methodology is needed owning to the continuous increase of global municipal solid waste (MSW). This is because the common methods of manual and semi-mechanical screenings not only consume large amount of manpower and material resources but also accelerate virus community transmission. As the categories of MSW are diverse considering their compositions, chemical reactions, and processing procedures, etc., resulting in low efficiencies in MSW sorting using the traditional methods. Deep machine learning can help MSW sorting becoming into a smarter and more efficient mode. This study for the first time applied MSWNet in MSW sorting, a ResNet-50 with transfer learning. The method of cyclical learning rate was taken to avoid blind finding, and tests were repeated until accidentally encountering a good value. Measures of visualization were also considered to make the MSWNet model more transparent and accountable. Results showed transfer learning enhanced the efficiency of training time (from 741 s to 598.5 s), and improved the accuracy of recognition performance (from 88.50% to 93.50%); MSWNet showed a better performance in MSW classsification in terms of sensitivity (93.50%), precision (93.40%), F1-score (93.40%), accuracy (93.50%) and AUC (92.00%). The findings of this study can be taken as a reference for building the model MSW classification by deep learning, quantifying a suitable learning rate, and changing the data from high dimensions to two dimensions.     

Leaching toxicity characteristics of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash

The continuously increasing production of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWIBA) has promoted its utilization as construction material and raised environmental concern. The physico-chemical properties and leaching behavior of MSWIBA were studied, and ecotoxicological testing using a luminescent bacterium bioassay was performed to assess the ecological pollution risks associated with its leached constituents. The MSWIBA was leached by two types of leachants, H₂SO₄/HNO₃ and HAc solution, at different liquid to solid ratios and contact times. The concentrations of heavy metals and anions in the leachates were analyzed. Multivariate statistical analyses, including principle component analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis, were used to evaluate the contributions of the constituents to the toxicity (EC₅₀) of the MSWIBA leachate. The statistical analyses of the ecotoxicological results showed that the Ba, Cr, Cu, Pb, F⁻ and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations were closely correlated with the EC₅₀ value, and these substances were the main contributors to the ecotoxicity of the MSWIBA leachate. In addition, the cluster of these variables indicated similar leaching behaviors. Overall, the research demonstrated that the ecotoxicological risks resulting from MSWIBA leaching could be assessed before its utilization, which provides crucial information for the adaptation of MSWIBA as alternative materials.     

Repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic on solid waste generation and management strategies

• Implication of COVID-19 on medical waste and MSW generation is studied. • Challenges and effective strategy of solid waste generation is reviewed. • 2.9 million tons of COVID-19 related medical waste has been generated until Sep. 22. • The pandemic has postponed policies related to the reduction of plastic use. • Blockade resulted in a significant drop in waste generation in some regions. It has been over ten months since the beginning of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-2019), and its impact on solid waste management, especially medical waste, is becoming clearer. This study systematically reviews the potential influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical waste, personal protection equipment waste and municipal solid waste (MSW), and discusses the corresponding measures and policies of solid waste management in typical countries. The results show that the generation of medical waste from the pandemic increased significantly, with 18%‒425% growth. It is estimated that the daily output of COVID-19 medical waste increased from 200 t/d on Feb. 22 to over 29000 t/d at the end of September 2020 throughout the world. The use of personal protective equipment will continue to grow in the long-term, while the blockade and isolation measures greatly reduced the volume of commercial waste, especially for tourist cities, and part of this waste was transferred to household waste. Residents’ attitudes and behavior toward food waste have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, international organizations and several countries have issued new policies and guidelines and adjusted their management strategies for medical waste and MSW treatment. The pandemic has brought specific challenges to the disposal capacity of medical waste worldwide. It has also brought about the stagnation of policies related to the reduction of plastic products and waste recycling. This study will provide some useful information for managers and governmental officials on effective solid waste management during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.     

城市有机生活垃圾溶胞处理对其厌氧消化的影响机理

由于城市有机生活垃圾成分的复杂性和厌氧消化的限速步骤的影响,导致厌氧发酵的速度比较缓慢、产气量较少和工艺不稳定等问题。文章综述了国内外有机生活垃圾的各种溶胞处理技术,如物理法、化学法、生物法及其联合处理等方法,以便改善发酵物料的性质,消除厌氧发酵的限速步骤。研究认为,通过溶胞处理能够改善有机垃圾的物理化学性质如发酵物料的溶解度、酸碱度等,提高微生物对难降解有机物的分解,增加可溶性COD和挥发性酸的浓度,优化发酵细菌的代谢途径以及产物的组成等,从而增加生物气产量,缩短水力停留时间,强化厌氧发酵过程,减轻了后续处理的负担。     

Municipal solid waste management in Dalian: practices and challenges

The fast growing of urban areas in developing countries has brought serious problems on municipal solid waste (MSW) management. It will be rational to adopt an integrated approach to deal with such a challenge so that the overall eco-efficiency of MSW management could be improved. To better examine how attributes of integrated MSW management are being interpreted and put into practice, and to explore what changes should be made to improve the application of integrated MSW management, we employ a case study method so that lessons learned could be used to inform initiatives in other cities and the potential solution may offer feasible strategies. The case study city is Dalian, a typical seaport city with fast growing rate in economy. The outcomes of this case study show us that fragmented management structure, ineffective and inefficient enforcement of relevant regulations, backward technologies, limited financial resources and lack of public participation are main barriers for the implementation of integrated MSW management. Consequently, in order to overcome these barriers, we propose an integrated management framework on MSW management, aiming to maximize the overall eco-efficiency of MSW management.     

城市生活垃圾处理技术现状与管理对策

近年来,我国城市生活垃圾产生量每年以约10%的速度迅猛增长,而城市生活垃圾处理能力发展相对滞后。客观评述城市生活垃圾常用的填埋、焚烧、堆肥3种处理技术的优缺点和在国内的应用现状,并针对城市生活垃圾在收运、处理以及管理等环节中存在的突出问题,提出了明确的建议与措施：首先,完善相关法规政策,实施分类收集,加强源头控制;其次,创新管理体制,推行市场化运作机制,政府加强政策引导和监督;再次,按照＂谁污染,谁付费＂的原则,建立健全垃圾收费体系;最后,充分利用各种媒介,加大宣传力度,提高公众环保意识。同时,还探讨了城市生活垃圾处理技术发展的趋势。焚烧处理将是今后一段时期我国最有发展潜力的技术,气化熔融焚烧技术是一种高效资源化、污染物接近零排放的新型焚烧技术;生物反应器填埋技术可减少渗滤液处理量、降低垃圾处理成本,具有广阔的发展前景;堆肥技术可作为焚烧或填埋之前的预处理手段;城市生活垃圾综合处理集多种处理技术的优点于一体,在节约处理成本,提高经济效益的同时,实现了垃圾的减量化、资源化、无害化,是未来我国生活垃圾处理的优先发展方向。     

臭氧深度处理垃圾焚烧厂沥滤液时溶解性有机质（DOM）特性分析

采用荧光光谱、红外光谱和紫外-可见光谱技术分析了臭氧氧化深度处理沥滤液生化处理水过程中废水中DOM组成及结构变化.同步荧光光谱显示,反应过程中340—370 nm处的特征峰强度明显下降,小于270 nm的短波长范围内荧光强度有一个从高到低再升高的变化过程.三维荧光光谱表明,沥滤液生化处理水中含有两个类富里酸荧光峰（UV-FA：Ex/Em=250—255/410—450 nm;Vis-FA：Ex/Em=315—320/400—405 nm）,反应过程中荧光峰强度不断降低,其中UV-FA荧光峰的发射波长存在明显的蓝移现象,最大蓝移量40 nm.红外光谱表明,沥滤液生化处理水中含有多种芳香性特征峰,臭氧氧化过程中峰强度逐渐降低,部分特征峰消失,并有过氧化合物的CO伸缩振动峰生成.沥滤液生化处理水经臭氧氧化深度处理60 min后,其SUVA254值由3.01 L.mg-.1m-1降低到1.16 L.mg-.1m-1,A3/A4值由4.06上升到8.43.综合分析表明,臭氧氧化能够有效将沥滤液生化处理水中结构复杂的大分子芳香族化合物降解为芳构化程度较低、分子量较小的有机物.     

Assessment of key parameters in municipal solid waste management: a prerequisite for sustainability

Municipal solid waste management was studied for 1 year in a representative urban area of Lahore city for environmental sustainability. The effects of financial status of the household and the seasonal variations on generation rate and compositions of municipal solid waste (MSW) were determined. MSW generation rate and the economic status of the households were positively correlated (p < 0.05). Seasonal variations observed were significant only for organics (p = 0.001), plastics (p = 0.008) and food waste fractions (p = 0.009) in MSW. Response surface regression model developed and analysed by Minitab-15® showed that the interaction of season and different economic zones of the town on the MSW generation rate was non-significant (p = 0.334). Elemental and heating value analyses of the mixed organic fractions in kitchen waste had carbon 47.93%, hydrogen 6.20%, nitrogen 2.24%, sulphur 0.23%, oxygen 39.01%, and C and N ratio 27.78. Findings concluded that food waste was 56% of total MSW with 71.03% moisture content and a modest heating value of 5566 J/g. Existing temporary storage capacity of MSW is 51% of the total MSW generated considering the weighted MSW generation rate of 0.57 kg/person/day calculated in this study. Composting could be a possible final disposal option due to high moisture and organic content and can be studied in future research. Development of a transfer station, introduction of home composting programmes and awareness towards proper segregation and reduction of waste at the household level is suggested to attain sustainability in the MSW management system.     

Hazardous waste management in educational and research centers: a case study

The hazardous waste management (HWM) practice at Tehran University of Medical Sciences Central Campus, Iran, was investigated in this study. Four schools were selected and the required information such as type and amount of wastes, temporary storage methods, waste discharge frequency, and final waste disposal methods using sampling, questionnaires, interviews with laboratory staff, and reference to available documents were gathered. The quantity of hazardous waste generation per year excluding the uncontrolled wastewater was found to be 2.072 tons per year. The obtained results show that wastes having features of being infectious, toxic, ignitable, carcinogenic, corrosive, and reactive were present at 32%, 28%, 16%, 14%, 8%, and 2%, respectively. In the central campus, hazardous solid wastes managed with household solid wastes and hazardous liquid waste were discharged into the sinks without any kind of control; improper HWM practices are evident from the point of waste production to final disposal.     

新型转式焚烧炉焚烧特性的机理研究

采用模化有机垃圾，在炉膛内径为0.5米，有中心转轴翅片推动垃圾前进的焚烧炉中，对焚烧特性进行了研究。通过对实验结果的分析，确定了影响焚烧炉中NOx、SOx生成和燃烬率的主要因素，并提出了焚烧炉在控制NOx、SOx的前提下稳定操作的范围。     

平原典型垃圾焚烧厂周边土壤重金属分布特征及污染评价

随着固体废弃物的增加,垃圾焚烧逐步成为城市垃圾处理应用一个较为理想可行的选择。垃圾焚烧不仅可以回收能源,且相对其他处理方式其减量效果显著。垃圾焚烧厂排出的尾气中的某些特定重金属可以通过大气干湿沉降进入土壤。采用XRF 荧光光谱仪、岛津原子吸收分光光度计和测汞仪测定了杭嘉湖平原的嘉兴垃圾焚烧厂周边土壤重金属的含量,利用地统计学方法分析了该区域74个土壤样品中Cr、Mn、Cu、Pb、Fe五种重金属元素浓度的空间分布,并采用单因子指数法和内梅罗综合指数法对该地区土壤进行污染评价。结果表明：该垃圾焚烧厂周边表层土壤上述5种重金属平均含量依次为174.05、707.76、47.68、41.95、39057.89 mg·kg-1。表层富集因子分析表明表层土壤中Cu和Pb的含量受到人为影响。因子分析将5种重金属分成3类,并揭示了3类金属在该区域具有不同的空间分布特征,Cr、Mn、Fe以土壤地球化学作用（37.88%方差贡献）为主导影响因素,Cu、Pb分别以农药施用作用为主（22.06%）、垃圾焚烧源尾气排放（22.74%）为主导影响因素。污染评价结果表明该区域土壤重金属复合污染程度为轻度污染,最大污染贡献来自于Pb（单因子污染指数高达2.16）,厂区周边土壤中重金属存在累积效应,不容忽视。     

北京密闭式垃圾清洁站内外大气监测与安全距离

以北京海淀区为例,对密闭式垃圾清洁站的分布及内外部的大气状况进行了监测并运用大气扩散模型探讨了垃圾清洁站的安全防护距离.结果表明:海淀区垃圾清洁站的分布不均衡;所有垃圾清洁站内外的大气污染物中,H2S、NH3、S02、N02、二硫化碳、苯乙烯、TSP、CO等指标均符合中国相关排放标准;转运站内部三甲胺、甲硫醇、甲硫醚、...     

衡阳市城市垃圾处理现状及改进建议

城市垃圾数量大、成分复杂,如果不好好处理会对环境和人体健康造成很大危害.就城市垃圾的危害及垃圾处理现状进行了分析,并对衡阳市垃圾处理提出改进建议.参6.     

Removal of odors and VOCs in municipal solid waste comprehensive treatment plants using a novel three-stage integrated biofilter: Performance and bioaerosol emissions

• TSIBF was composed of ABRS, FRS and HBRS. • THIBF can effectively remove various odors, VOCs and bioaerosols. • Different reaction segments in TSIBF can remove different types of odors and VOCs. • TSIBF can reduce the emission of bioaerosols through enhanced interception. A novel three-stage integrated biofilter (TSIBF) composed of acidophilic bacteria reaction segment (ABRS), fungal reaction segment (FRS) and heterotrophic bacteria reaction segment (HBRS) was constructed for the treatment of odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)from municipal solid waste (MSW) comprehensive treatment plants. The performance, counts of predominant microorganisms, and bioaerosol emissions of a full-scale TSIBF system were studied. High and stable removal efficiencies of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and VOCs could be achieved with the TSIBF system, and the emissions of culturable heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and acidophilic sulfur bacteria were relatively low. The removal efficiencies of different odors and VOCs, emissions of culturable microorganisms, and types of predominant microorganisms were different in the ABRS, FRS and HBRS due to the differences in reaction conditions and mass transfer in each segment. The emissions of bioaerosols from the TSIBF depended on the capture of microorganisms and their volatilization from the packing. The rational segmentation, filling of high-density packings and the accumulation of the predominant functional microorganisms in each segment enhanced the capture effect of the bioaerosols, thus reducing the emissions of microorganisms from the bioreactor.     

Modeling and simulation of landfill gas production from pretreated MSW landfill simulator

The cumulative landfill gas (LFG) production and its rate were simulated for pretreated municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill using four models namely first order exponential model, modified Gompertz model, single component combined growth and decay model and Gaussian function. Considering the behavior of the pretreated MSW landfill, a new multi component model was based on biochemical processes that occurring in landfilled pretreated MSW. The model was developed on the basis of single component combined growth and decay model using an anaerobic landfill simulator reactor which treats the pretreated MSW. It includes three components of the degradation i.e. quickly degradable, moderately degradable and slowly degradable. Moreover, the developed model was statistically analyzed for its goodness of fit. The results show that the multi components LFG production model is more suitable in comparison to the simulated models and can efficiently be used as a modeling tool for pretreated MSW landfills. The proposed model is likely to give assistance in sizing of LFG collection system, generates speedy results at lower cost, improves cost-benefit analysis and decreases LFG project risk. It also indicates the stabilization of the landfill and helps the managers in the reuse of the landfill space. The proposed model is limited to aerobically pretreated MSW landfill and also requires the values of delay times in LFG productions from moderately and slowly degradable fractions of pretreated MSW.     

An interval joint-probabilistic programming method for solid waste management: a case study for the city of Tianjin, China

Currently, environmental protection and resources conservation continue to be challenges faced by solid-waste managers in China. These challenges are being further compounded by rapid socioeconomic devel- opment and population growth associated with increased waste generation rates and decreased waste disposal capacities. In response to these challenges, an interval joint-probabilistic mixed-integer programming （IJMP） method is developed for supporting long-term planning of waste management activities in the city of Tianjin, which is one of the largest municipalities in the northern part of China. In the IJMP, joint probabilistic constraints are introduced into an interval-parameter mixed-integer programming framework, such that uncertainties presented in terms of interval values and random variables can be reflected. Moreover, a number of violation levels for the waste-management-capacity constraints are examined, which can facilitate in-depth analyses of tradeoffs among economic objective and system-failure risk. The results indicate that reasonable solutions have been generated. They are valuable for supporting the adjustment of the city＇s existing waste-management practices and the long- term planning of the city＇s waste-management facilities.     

Environmental effects and risk control of antibiotic resistance genes in the organic solid waste aerobic composting system: A review

• ARGs were detected in livestock manure, sludge, food waste and fermentation dregs. • The succession of microbial community is an important factor affecting ARGs. • Horizontal transfer mechanism of ARGs during composting should be further studied. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been diffusely detected in several kinds of organic solid waste, such as livestock manure, sludge, antibiotic fermentation residues, and food waste, thus attracting great attention. Aerobic composting, which is an effective, harmless treatment method for organic solid waste to promote recycling, has been identified to also aid in ARG reduction. However, the effect of composting in removing ARGs from organic solid waste has recently become controversial. Thus, this article summarizes and reviews the research on ARGs in relation to composting in the past 5 years. ARGs in organic solid waste could spread in different environmental media, including soil and the atmosphere, which could widen environmental risks. However, the conventional composting technology had limited effect on ARGs removal from organic solid waste. Improved composting processes, such as hyperthermophilic temperature composting, could effectively remove ARGs, and the HGT of ARGs and the microbial communities are identified as vital influencing factors. Currently, during the composting process, ARGs were mainly affected by three response pathways, (I) “Microenvironment-ARGs”; (II) “Microenvironment-microorganisms-ARGs”; (III) “Microorganisms-horizontal gene transfer-ARGs”, respectively. Response pathway II had been studied the most which was believed that microbial community was an important factor affecting ARGs. In response pathway III, mainly believed that MGEs played an important role and paid less attention to eARGs. Further research on the role and impact of eARGs in ARGs may be considered in the future. It aims to provide support for further research on environmental risk control of ARGs in organic solid waste.     

Calculation of the minimum ecological water requirement of an urban river system and its deployment: A case study in Beijing central region

The minimum ecological water requirements of an urban river system and water deployment are key elements in integrated water resources planning and urban ecological construction. Based on a review of ecological water requirement calculation methods and considering the different ecological functions of an urban river system, the ecological function method was used in this paper to calculate the components of the ecological water requirements of an urban river. An envelope curve-based method was proposed for assessing the minimum ecological water requirements of an urban river system. Water resources deployment strategies designed to meet the minimum ecological water requirements were described. Then, the minimum ecological water requirements of the urban river system in Beijing central region, selected as a case study, were investigated. The key parameters for assessing the minimum ecological water requirement in the Beijing urban river system were determined. Based on the ecological objectives and the current status of the different urban river systems within the Beijing central region, the minimum ecological water requirements were calculated. Different types of water sources, including rainwater, upstream water, and reclaimed water, were deployed to meet the ecological water requirements for the urban river system in the Beijing central region.     

Preliminary techno-economic analysis of three typical decentralized composting technologies treating rural kitchen waste: a case study in China

● Decentralized composting (DC) is a profitable KW treating technology. ● SAC and BEC were economically attractive in rural area, while HDC was unprofitable. ● KW handling subsidy plays a vital role in making DC profitable. ● SAC and BEC have great potential in promoting rural KW treatment. This study was designed to evaluate whether the decentralized rural kitchen waste (KW) composting technologies used in China can be widely applied. To this end, we completed a techno-economic analysis of three typical types of KW compositing, namely solar-assisted (SAC), bio-enhanced (BEC), and heat-dewatering composting (HDC). These evaluations revealed that all three technologies produce composting products that meet China’s organic fertilizer standard and that both SAC and BEC are economically self-sustaining and generate net profits (18824.94 and 17791.52 US$/a) and positive net present values (32133.11 and 25035.93 US$). Subsequent sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the KW-handling subsidy plays a critical role in making decentralized composting economically attractive. Based on these analyses, we believe that reducing the coverage area of SAC, reducing the operating cost of BEC and HDC, upgrading composting products, and strengthening secondary pollution control would aid in supporting the technological improvement of these processes. Moreover, providing appropriate subsidies and promulgating specific standards and policies for KW fertilizer are key strategies for decentralized rural KW composting management.