• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.56-64
• /
• 2022

Construction waste is generated at a rate of approximately 221,102 tons/day in Korea. In particular, mixed construction waste generates approximately 24,582 tons/day. The other components were recycled by 98.9%. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions from the waste was 17.1 million tons of CO2 equaling 2.3% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the environmental impact is becoming increasingly important. However, appropriate treatment must first be established, as mixed construction waste is also increasing. Thus, an effective plan is urgently needed because it is frequently segregated and sorted by the landfill and incinerated. In addition, there is an urgent need to prepare various effective recycling methods rather than a simple treatment. Therefore, this study analyzed the environmental impact of the treatment of mixed construction waste by calculating greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the highest greenhouse gas generation occurred during the incineration stage. Moreover, the optimal method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is recycling and energy recovery from waste. In addition, the amount of greenhouse gas generated during energy recovery from the waste stage was the second highest. However, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by using waste as energy to reduce fossil fuel consumption. In addition, for the transportation stage, the optimal reduction plan is to minimize the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by setting the optimal distance and applying biofuel and electric vehicle operations.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.503-515
• /
• 2014

A lot of existing wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are rebuilt or retrofitted for advanced wastewater treatment processes to cope with reinforced effluent criteria of nitrogen and phosphorous. Moreover, how to treat the wasted sludge from WWTPs has been also issued since the discharge of the wasted sludge into ocean is impossible from 2011 due to the London Convention 97 protocol. These trend changes of WWTPs get a motivation to assess environmental and economic impacts from the construction stage to the waste stage in WWTPs. Therefore, this study focuses on evaluation of environmental and economic impacts of the advanced wastewater treatment processes and waste sludge treatment process by using life cycle assessment. Four advanced wastewater treatment processes of Anaerobic/Anoxic/Oxic ($A_2O$), 5 stages-Bamard Denitrification Phosphate (Bardenpho), Virginia Initiative Plant (VIP), and Modified University of Cape Town (MUCT) are chosen to compare the conventional activated sludge (CAS) and three waste sludge treatment methods of land fill, incineration, and composting are used. To evaluate environmental and economic impacts of each advanced wastewater treatment processes, life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) are conducted based on International organization for standardization (ISO) guidelines. The results clearly represent that the $A_2O$ process with composting shows 52% reduction in the environmental impact than the CAS process with landfill. On the other hand, the MUCT process with composting is able to save 62% of the life cycle cost comparing with the CAS process with landfill. This result suggested the qualitative and quantitative criteria for evaluating eco-environmental and economic technologies of advanced treatment processes and also sludge treatment method, where their main influence factors on environmental and economic impacts are analyzed, respectively. The proposed method could be useful for selecting the most efficient and eco-friendly wastewater treatment process and sludge treatment method when retrofitting the existing WWTPs to advanced treatments.

• KIEAE Journal
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.103-110
• /
• 2013

This study aims to calculate the $CO_2$ emissions by the properties of construction waste to establish a LCI DB of construction waste generated at the disuse stage. The $CO_2$ emissions from apartment houses was calculated by calculating the energy consumptions by treatment steps to calculate the $CO_2$ emissions by the treatment steps of construction waste. As a result of analyzing the $CO_2$ emissions from a total of 27 complexes, maximum 46,791g-$CO_2/m^2$, minimum 34,893g-$CO_2/m^2$ and average 38,713g-$CO_2/m^2$ were generated, and were varied by the quantity of construction waste in general, but were affected by the transportation distance in case of transportation steps as well. As a result of analyzing the $CO_2$ emissions by the properties of construction waste, average 19,815.50g-$CO_2/m^2$ was generated, the highest, from the example complex at the demolition stage in case of construction wastes, and 1.72g-$CO_2/m^2$ was generated, the lowest, during reclamation. In case of combustible waste, average 11,495.63g-$CO_2/m^2$ was generated, the highest, from the example complex during incineration of wastes, and 21.48g-$CO_2/m^2$ was generated, the lowest, at the waste transportation stage. In case of noncombustible waste, average 522.43g-$CO_2/m^2$ was generated, the highest, from the example complex at the demolition stage, and 1.07g-$CO_2/m^2$ was generated, the lowest, at the transportation stage. In case of other construction wastes, average 645.42g-$CO_2/m^2$ was generated, the highest, from the example complex at the demolition stage, and 47.38g-$CO_2/m^2$ was generated, the lowest, at the middle treatment stage.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.247-254
• /
• 2021

In this study, an eco-friendly combustion process of waste 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT: 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) was developed, and fundamental data for the quantity of the organic matter in the final combustion residues is presented. Because complete combustion of TNT is not possible theoretically, the combustion process was optimized to reduce organic matter content in the combustion residue by performing measures such as heating time changes, addition of propellant material, and after treatment using a high-temp electrical furnace. From the results, it was confirmed that the organic matter content in the residue could be decreased to 7 ~ 10% with each method. The quantity of the organic matter could be minimized by optimizing the combustion conditions of the process. With only a combustion time increase, the amount of organic matter in the combustion residues was measured at about 9 wt%. The environmental friendliness of the final exhaust gas was also confirmed by real time gas component analyses. In addition, the organic contents could be reduced by a further 2 wt% by applying an additional heat treatment using an external electric furnace after the first incineration treatment. In the combustion process of propellant added waste TNT, it was found that various TNT wastes could be treated using the same eco-friendly protocols because the organic content in the residue decreased in accordance with the amount of propellant. The amount of the organic matter content produced by all these methods fulfilled the requirements under the Waste Management Act.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.157-162
• /
• 2017

Inorganic stiffening agents were prepared by mixing paper sludge incineration ash, blast furnace slag fine powder quicklime, anhydrous gypsum and fly ash. The main components of the solidifying agent developed for sludge treatment were SiO, $Al_2O_3$, $TiO_2$, $Fe_2O_3$, $Mn_2O_3$, CaO, MgO, $Na_2O$, $K_2O$, $P_2O$, and $SO_3$. Unlike cement, the developed solidifying agent did not contain $Cr^{6+}$, which is known as a carcinogen. Heavy metals and oil contaminated soil were mixed with solidifying agent and cured for 7 days and the heavy metal content was below the environmental standard. Sewage sludge cake, food waste and solidifying agent were mixed with each other, and after 7 days curing, soil component test showed that the heavy metal content was below the environmental standard. After mixing the sludge, solidifying agent and additive mixture into the beaker, the ammonia concentration was measured to be 0 after 3 days.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.469-476
• /
• 2000

This study was performed to understand the behavior and source characteristics of particulate trace metals in Daegu area. To do this, total of 84 samples had been collected from January to December 1999. TSP (total suspended particulate matter) and PM-10(particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters less 10${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) were collected by filters on portable air sampler, and in TSP and PM-10 were analyzed by ICP(Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer) after preliminary treatment. The results were follow as: first, annul means of TSP and PM-10 concentration were 123 and 69$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎤ respectively. The concentration of TSP adn PM-10 were highest in winter season compared to other seasons. Second, the concentration of Al, Fe, Mn were higher in TSP than in PM-10, indicating that these metals are generally associate with natural contributions. Third, a hierarchical clustering technique was used to group 9 metals. The results from the cluster analysis of TSP and PM-10 shows a similar clustering pattern : Fe, Al in a group and the rest of the metals such as Ni, Cr, As, Mn, Cd, Pb, Zn in the other group. One group of metal such as Fe, Al is associated with natural sources such as soil and dust. The other is closely related to urban anthropogenic sources such as fuel combustion, incineration, and refuse burning, Finally, using Al as a reference element, enrichment factors were used for identifying the major particulate contributors. The enrichment factors of Al. Fe<10 (standard value of enrichment factor) were considered to have a significant dust and soil source and termed nonenriched. Ni, Cr, As, Mn, Cd, Pb, Zn》10 is enriched and has a significant which is contributed by athropogenic sources.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 2001

Present vermicomposting technology needs the broad land. Because of the high land cost, the land saving technology such as multistage must be needed. And present operation practices are mostly based on human power, mechanization and automation is needed. Also, present control practices based on individual experience need the scientific base control system. Even though the rough estimation of organic waste treatment showed that vermicompostiong could obtain more benefits than costs. But, the estimation is based on an ideal case without considering the technical and market. Generally, vermicomposting is considered as the more expensive technology than composting. Therefore, the practical proof the economic factor would be the most important to the market increase. Vermicomposting as the recycling technology has better condition than incineration and landfill. Propagation and advocating focused on its environmentally sound aspects would be needed continuously. Especially, demonstration and distribution of household vermicomposting would be a good approach. Vermicomposting facilities area was becoming larger, and earthworm feeding materials were also expanding to various organic sludges. These trends showed that vermicomposting is being enlightened to treat and recycle the organic wastes.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.19-23
• /
• 2001

In addition to landfilling and incineration, waste minimization and recycling have become priorities in Taiwan's municipal waste management strategies over the past 10 years. Major recycling initiatives being implemented in Taiwan include producer responsibility, "pay-as-you-throw, " and mandatory sorting provisions. Currently, the producer responsibility regime established under the Waste Disposal Act and administered by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) requires that manufacturers or importers of listed items, including containers, batteries. cars, motorcycles ("scooters"), tires, oil, televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, computers, and printers, pay recycling fees to government recycling funds. EPA then uses the recycling funds to subsidize collection and recycling. The 2001 recycling fund budget totals NT$57 billion (NT$35 = US$l). Under the producer responsibility regime, EPA-designated retailers ("sellers") must accept end-of-life items returned to them by the consumers. At the local level, Taipei City implements a pay-as-you-throw program, whereby citizens pay waste collection and treatment fees through the purchase of special trash bags approved by the Taipei City Government. However. recyclables that are separated by citizens are collected free-of-charge by the City. Taichung City and Kaohsiung City, on the other hand, enforce mandatory sorting schemes, whereby citizens face penalties if they don't separate recyclables from the trash before pick-up. These programs have resulted in a significant reduction in municipal waste. Per capita waste collected per day has dropped from 1.143 kg in 1997 to 0.978 kg in 2000. Targeting a 10% recycling rate for municipal waste in 2001. EPA plans to research and develop new recycling techniques, expand the scope of producer responsibilities, and strengthen existing municipal recyclable collection programs. To this end, among other initiatives, EPA has prepared a draft "Resource Recycling and Reuse Act" that would complement the existing producer responsibility programs by incorporating into the current recycling framework the concept of product life-cycle management.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.30-36
• /
• 2014

300,000 tons of waste tires are annually being produced with development of the automotive industry in Korea. Landfill and incineration treatment system are causing the economic problem through secondary environmental pollution and waste. Therefore, as one of the ways to take advantage of this, Thermo-Plastic Vulcanized (TPV) composite was prepared by the ground waste tire and plastic powders. The waste tire powder was gained by mechanical fracturing through crushers. The waste tire powder was ground by a shear crushing method and a 2-stage disk mill method instead of cutting crushing one. The waste tire powder of 50 mesh was mixed with Polypropylene(PP) in various proportions. TPVs were prepared by an extrusion, and tensile and impact tests were performed. In addition, the same experiments were repeated in 40, 80, 140 mesh conditions in order to observe size effect of waste tire powders.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.187-194
• /
• 2011

In compliance with an international law about the ocean dumping of the sludge, the proper sewage treatment process which occurs from the wastewater treatment process has been becoming problem. Generally the sewage and the sludge are controlled from anaerobic condition when the sewage is treated and land filled, where the methane$(CH_{4})$ and the nitrous oxide $(N_{2}O)$ from this process are discharged. Because these gases have been known as one of the responsible gases for global warming, the wastewater treatment process is become known as emission sources of green house gases(GHG). This study is to suggest a new approach of estimate and environmental assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and sludge emissions from wastewater treatment processes. It was carried out by calculating the total amounts of GHG emitted from biological wastewater treatment process and the amount of the sludgegenerated from the processes. Four major biological wastewater treatment processes which are Anaerobic/Anoxic/Oxidation$(A_{2}O)$, Bardenpho, Virginia Initiative Plant(VIP), University of Cape Town(UCT)are used and GPS-X software is used to model four processes. Based on the modeling result of four processes, the amounts of GHG emissions and the sludge produced from each process are calculated by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) 2006 guideline report. GHG emissions for water as well as sludge treatment processes are calculated for environmental assessment has been done on the scenario of various sludge treatments, such as composting, incineration and reclamation and each scenario is compared by using a unified index of the economic and environmental assessment. It was found that Bardenpho process among these processes shows a best process that can emit minimum amount of GHG with lowest impact on environment and composting emits the minimum amount of GHG for sludge treatment.