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Processes
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Solid Waste and Resource Recycling
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Solid Waste and Resource Recycling

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Green Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (6 April 2023) | Viewed by 9808

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Slawomir Stelmach

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Energy and Fuel Processing Technology, 41-803 Zabrze, Poland
Interests: waste; biomass; WtE; recycling; adsorption; CCS; CCU; pyrolysis; gasification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human life and activity are inextricably linked with the generation of waste, both municipal and industrial. The progress of civilization is the cause of the continuous generation of huge amounts of waste, the effects of which are becoming more and more noticeable and burdensome for the environment, despite the operation of more and more sophisticated waste management systems. One of the intensively promoted and implemented concepts of sustainable civilization development is the so-called ‘circular economy’. Simply speaking, the idea is to increase the level of recycling and reuse of materials, maximizing the use of all available raw materials, products and waste, in turn enabling energy saving and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Although the circular economy is becoming more and more important around the world and the levels of material recycling of various fractions of waste are increasing, it is still impossible to organize a waste management system without activities related to the thermal treatment of some waste, and thermal conversion will remain an important link in the whole waste management chain. The issues related to the economics of new waste recycling technologies are also extremely important, as they cannot lead to an unreasonable increase in the costs of waste management. In this planned Special Issue of Processes, we intend to focus on topics including but not limited to:

  • The current state of waste recycling and circular economy in different countries;
  • Improving methods for mechanically recycling waste;
  • Development of thermochemical waste recycling methods;
  • Assessing the quality of products from the recycling of waste;
  • Technical and economic analyses of recycling technologies;
  • LCA of different recycling routes;
  • Management of residues from the waste recycling process.

Prof. Dr. Slawomir Stelmach
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • solid waste
  • mechanical recycling
  • chemical recycling
  • circular economy
  • residual waste
  • economic profitability
  • LCA

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 4895 KiB  
Article
Potential of the Biomass Waste Originating from Saccharum officinarum as a Fenton Precursor for the Efficient Oxidation of Azo Dye from an Aqueous Stream
by Ehssan Ahmed Hassan, Maha A. Tony, Hossam A. Nabwey and Mohamed M. Awad
Processes 2023, 11(5), 1394; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11051394 - 4 May 2023
Viewed by 1126
Abstract
In the current investigation, elements extracted from Saccharum officinarum were identified as exporters of Fenton catalysts. Saccharum officinarum was soaked in an alkali prior to acidic treatment and then subjected to pyrolysis for elemental recovery. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) [...] Read more.
In the current investigation, elements extracted from Saccharum officinarum were identified as exporters of Fenton catalysts. Saccharum officinarum was soaked in an alkali prior to acidic treatment and then subjected to pyrolysis for elemental recovery. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) augmented with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to identify the prepared catalyst. The material was combined with hydrogen peroxide, which led to Fenton’s reaction. Then, the modified Fenton system was applied to eliminate the textile dye, named Bismarck Brown Azo dye, contaminating the aqueous effluent. Response surface methodological model (RSM) analysis was used to identify the most effective operational parameters, and the model set the optimized values as 39 and 401 mg/L for Saccharum officinarum and H2O2 doses, respectively, at pH 2.9. The maximum Bismarck Brown Azo dye removal achieved was 85%. Increasing the temperature to 60 °C improved the dye oxidation efficiency. However, the dye treatment efficacy was reduced when the dye loading increased. Additionally, the kinetic rate order was investigated and the system was fitted to second-order rate reaction kinetics. The thermodynamic variables show that the reaction is endothermic and non-spontaneous. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste and Resource Recycling)
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18 pages, 4672 KiB  
Article
Effect of Bulking Agents on Dewatered Sludge Biodrying Followed by Thermal Drying
by Zhengjie Hu, Zongdi Hao, Huan Lei, Yibin Guo, Qi Chen, Wenqi Zhang and Pinhua Rao
Processes 2023, 11(5), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11051392 - 4 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1248
Abstract
As an exogenous substance, bulking agent plays a considerable role in dewatered sludge (DS) biodrying by affecting the organics degradation and water migration. Meanwhile, biodried product needs to be further dried because its final moisture content (MC) is usually too high for direct [...] Read more.
As an exogenous substance, bulking agent plays a considerable role in dewatered sludge (DS) biodrying by affecting the organics degradation and water migration. Meanwhile, biodried product needs to be further dried because its final moisture content (MC) is usually too high for direct incineration. In this study, the influence of adding different bulking agents on organics decomposition and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) release during DS biodrying, and thermal drying characteristics of the biodrying mixtures was investigated. Results showed that spent coffee ground (SCG), corncob (CC) and wheat husk (WH) improved water removal ratios of DS biodrying. SCG contributed various types of organic matter to the biodrying matrix, thus attaining the longest high-temperature period (4.5 days). Meanwhile, SCG contributed lipids, which have high calorific value, to the biodrying pile, leading to the highest biodrying index (3.70) among all treatments. SCG, CC and WH also accelerated EPS delamination, which was beneficial for microbial activity and bound water release. Besides, the biodried product with SCG was endowed with the highest C content and calorific value. Furthermore, bulking agents improved the thermal-drying rates of the feedstocks, and intensified the positive impacts of biodrying on the thermal-drying characteristics of the mixtures. In particular, the biodried product with SCG had a high drying rate even with low residual water content in the mixture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste and Resource Recycling)
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13 pages, 2354 KiB  
Article
Volcanic Ash from the Island of La Palma, Spain: An Experimental Study to Establish Their Properties as Pozzolans
by Leticia Presa, Santiago Rosado, Christian Peña, Domingo Alfonso Martín, Jorge Luis Costafreda, Beatriz Astudillo and José Luis Parra
Processes 2023, 11(3), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11030657 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1833
Abstract
The eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on 19 September 2021, resulted in the deposition of large quantities of volcanic ash (VA), causing a great impact on the citizens. This work aims to study the properties of this volcanic ash as pozzolanic raw [...] Read more.
The eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on 19 September 2021, resulted in the deposition of large quantities of volcanic ash (VA), causing a great impact on the citizens. This work aims to study the properties of this volcanic ash as pozzolanic raw materials to establish their potential use in the development of sustainable cement. Results of chemical and technical characterization are presented. To achieve this goal, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) was replaced with standardized percentages of OPC/VA: 10, 25, and 40%. Characterization studies were carried out using chemical analysis of X-ray fluorescence (XRF), chemical quality analysis (QCA), pozzolanicity test (PT) at 8 and 15 days, as well as determining the mechanical strength (MS) at 7, 28, and 90 days. The results obtained by XRF and QCA established that the chemical composition of the VA corresponds to that of the natural pozzolan typical of pyroclastic genesis. The PT test showed that the analyzed samples have a marked pozzolanic nature, both at 8 and 15 days, showing a significant increase in their hydraulic reactivity. Likewise, the MS tests confirmed a continuous increase in mechanical compressive strength, which increased significantly from 7 to 90 days of curing, reaching more than 58 MPa. On the other hand, mechanical tests showed that the three types of dosages used OPC/VA: 10, 25, and 40% were equally effective, with OPC/VA formulations: 10–25% being the most effective. The results obtained in this research could be used by local industries as a guide for the correct use of the volcanic materials of this island, both for the manufacture of construction materials, such as aggregates, and to produce pozzolanic cement with low CO2 emissions, thus having a positive impact on the environment. Finally, the great natural availability of natural VAs in the surrounding areas of La Palma could cover part of the needs for materials used in the construction and restoration of houses and infrastructures damaged during the volcanic eruption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste and Resource Recycling)
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14 pages, 1227 KiB  
Article
Experimental Production of Iron-Bearing Sinters Using Chars from Waste Car Tires
by Marian Niesler, Janusz Stecko, Damian Gierad, Martyna Nowak and Sławomir Stelmach
Processes 2023, 11(1), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11010231 - 10 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1345
Abstract
The metallurgical industry is seeking raw material substitutes more and more intensively in order to replace materials traditionally used in pig iron production. Research has been conducted on the use of char obtained from waste car tires via a pyrolysis process in an [...] Read more.
The metallurgical industry is seeking raw material substitutes more and more intensively in order to replace materials traditionally used in pig iron production. Research has been conducted on the use of char obtained from waste car tires via a pyrolysis process in an iron ore sintering process. The char obtained from car tires could be a potential substitute for some of the coke breeze used in the iron ore sintering process. However, the Zn and S content of the char is a major technological issue. This paper presents the results of research conducted to assess the possibility of substituting coke breeze with a commercial char from waste tires. The experiments were carried out in a laboratory stand capable of sintering 200 kg of sintering blend. The results obtained show that it is possible to replace 10 %m/m of coke breeze with waste tire char without any technological danger for sintering lines. The application of waste tire char in metallurgical processes is an example of actions that form part of the circular economy and also of the appropriate use of anthropogenic resources that are technologically available. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste and Resource Recycling)
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31 pages, 4241 KiB  
Article
The Fuzzy DEA-Based Manufacturing Service Efficiency Evaluation and Ranking Approach for a Parallel Two-Stage Structure of a Complex Product System on the Example of Solid Waste Recycling
by Zhijie Yang, Shunsheng Guo, Hongtao Tang, Tian Tan, Baigang Du and Lang Huang
Processes 2022, 10(11), 2322; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10112322 - 8 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1355
Abstract
Accurate production efficiency evaluation can assist enterprises in adjusting production strategies, improving production efficiency, and, thereby, weakening environmental impacts. However, the current studies on production efficiency evaluation do not accurately consider interactions inside the production system in parallel production processes. Based on the [...] Read more.
Accurate production efficiency evaluation can assist enterprises in adjusting production strategies, improving production efficiency, and, thereby, weakening environmental impacts. However, the current studies on production efficiency evaluation do not accurately consider interactions inside the production system in parallel production processes. Based on the concept of the manufacturing service, this paper describes the production process of a complex product system (CoPS) with a manufacturing service chain. An efficiency calculation model based on the triangular intuitionistic fuzzy number–solid waste recycling–super-efficiency data envelopment analysis (TIFN-SWR-SDEA) is proposed under the consideration of the internal parallel structure of the production system on the example of solid waste recycling. Additionally, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method and the entropy weight method were combined to determine the proportion of solid waste recycling, and an improved proposed index rank (PIR) method was employed to rank the efficiency interval results. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the method were verified by comparative analysis. The results show that the overall efficiency of the CoPS production system can be improved by using green manufacturing technology, increasing the recycling of renewable resources, using clean energy, and improving the utilization rate of materials in the production process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste and Resource Recycling)
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11 pages, 1229 KiB  
Article
Hazardous Waste Advanced Management in a Selected Region of Poland
by Przydatek Grzegorz, Moșneguțu Emilian, Cabała Adrian and Irimia Oana
Processes 2022, 10(10), 2032; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10102032 - 8 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1647
Abstract
This article presents a study on hazardous waste management in the Malopolskie region of Poland. The study was based on the information obtained during three years from 2016 to 2018, and following analysis, it was found that in 2016 there was the highest [...] Read more.
This article presents a study on hazardous waste management in the Malopolskie region of Poland. The study was based on the information obtained during three years from 2016 to 2018, and following analysis, it was found that in 2016 there was the highest amount of 24,872.13 tons of hazardous waste produced, of which only a three-fold lower amount was disposed of. In this study, various types of hazardous waste were analyzed, including the waste from construction materials and asbestos. The predominant share of 50% of the mass of analyzed hazardous waste was felt on the generated one. Waste recovered in installations had a lower share of 43%, with a significant and favorable increase of over 5000.00 tons. In the context of the correctness of environmental aspects, it was considered an advisable solution that would optimize treatment conditions, and at the same time minimize the costs of hazardous waste management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste and Resource Recycling)
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