Technology of Mineral Insulation Waste Utilization

A boildown study was completed on a composite prepared from supernatant liquid grab samples retrieved from tank 241-AP-107 in May of 2010. The composite was a clear, yellow liquid containing no visible solids at hot cell ambient temperatures (25-27 °C). The density of the test composite was 1.216 g/mL at 26.8 °C. The boiling temperature curves generated at three reduced pressures—40-, 60-, and 80 Torr—displayed steadily increasing boiling temperatures with increasing volume reduction with no significant discontinuities. Only minimal foaming was observed after the volume reduction proceeded beyond 50 %WVR (percent waste volume reduction). The bulk densities (D{sub Bulk}{sup 18 °C}) and quantities of settled and centrifuged solids present were measured on samples of the boildown concentrates that were kept at 18 °C for 7-8 days. Estimated values of the bulk densities of the concentrates at 60-Torr boiling temperatures (D{sub Bulk}{sup 60 Torr}) were also calculated. Solids were observed in all boildown concentrates at process temperatures, at hot cell ambient temperatures (25-27 °C), and at 18 °C. The quantity of solids found in the cooled concentrates increased slowly through 50.2 %WVR. The quantity of solids found in concentrates after 54.0 %WVR was noticeably greater. Beyond 54.0 %WVR, the quantity of solids found in cooled concentrates increased dramatically. Analysis of boildown test samples indicated that sodium oxalate and sodium carbonate solids form in cooled concentrates after volume reduction of 8.4 %WVR or less. The major contributors to the large increase in the quantity of solids found in concentrates after 54 %WVR were sodium nitrate and sodium carbonate.

The utilization of palm oil industry’s residues on empty fruit bunch (EFB), for biochar production has gained considerable attention due to its potential in waste management and sustainable resource utilization. In this study, the investigation of bonding properties and morphological characteristics of torrefied pelletised biochar derived from EFB was done through torrefaction process which is a thermal treatment process under low oxygen conditions to enhance the energy density and stability of the biochar. Torrefied pelletised biochar was formed from the torrefied EFB biochar utilising the strand size of 750µm, holding temperature of 274°C, and residence time of 90 minutes, and later mixed with a binding agent at proportions (10%–30% of weight). The bonding properties of torrefied pelletised biochar were further analysed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for identifying functional groups present in the torrefied pelletised biochar. Morphological characteristics were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyse the surface morphology and pore structure. Results indicate that torrefaction significantly improved the bonding properties of the torrefied biochar but not for the pelletised biochar. SEM images revealed a more compact and homogeneous structure with enhancing the porosity of the torrefied biochar in preparing them as pelletised due to the help of pores size for binder. FTIR analysis demonstrated alterations in functional groups, suggesting chemical transformations induced by torrefaction. The enhanced bonding properties and morphological characteristics contribute to its suitability for practical implementation in agricultural and environmental sectors, thereby promoting sustainable waste management practices and resource utilization.

The past practices of DOE and its predecessor agencies in burying radioactive and hazardous wastes have left DOE with the responsibility of remediating large volumes of buried wastes and contaminated soils. The Buried Waste Integrated Demonstration (BWID), has chosen to evaluate treatment of buried wastes at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). Because of the characteristics of the buried wastes, the potential for using high-temperature thermal treatment technologies is being evaluated. The soil-waste mixture at INEL, when melted or vitrified, produces a glass/ceramic referred to as iron-enriched basalt (IEB). One potential problem with producing the IEB material is the high melting temperature of the waste and soil (1,400-1,600{degrees}C). One technology that has demonstrated capabilities to process high melting point materials is the plasma arc heated furnace. A three-party program was initiated and the program involved testing an engineering-scale DC arc furnace to gain preliminary operational and waste processibility information. It also included the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a second-generation, pilot-scale graphite electrode DC arc furnace. Widely ranging simulants of INEL buried waste were prepared and processed in the Mark I furnace. The tests included melting of soils with metals, sludges, combustibles, and simulated drums. Very promising results in terms of waste product quality, volume reduction, heating efficiency, and operational reliability and versatility were obtained. The results indicate that the graphite electrode DC arc technology would be very well suited for treating high melting point wastes such as those found at INEL. The graphite electrode DC arc furnace has been demonstrated to be very simple, yet effective, with excellent prospects for remote or semi-remote operation.

Reduction of radioactive waste volume is one of the important issues for spent fuel reprocessing plants. JGC has intensively developed radioactive waste processing technologies aiming at waste volume reduction and at immobilization with environmentally low impact for Purex type reprocessing plants. These technologies are Electrolytic Decomposition Process of Nitric Acid (E-DeP), Catalytic Decomposition Process of Nitrate Ion (C-DeP) and Electrodialytic Na Separation Process (E-SeP). An effective combination of each technology results in reduction of numbers of waste packages by one-twentieth.

The massive production of municipal solid waste presents a significant global challenge for sustainable urban development and maintaining citizens’ quality of life, requiring effective management and disposal strategies. Waste-to-energy incineration technology has become increasingly important as a solution that simultaneously addresses the growing volumes of municipal solid waste and rising energy needs worldwide. This comprehensive review examines the research findings on the effectiveness of incineration as a waste-to-energy conversion method. The primary goal was to conduct a thorough systematic review assessing WtE incineration effectiveness across several key areas: energy recovery efficiency, waste volume reduction capabilities, environmental impact, and economic feasibility. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across ScienceDirect and additional pertinent databases, utilizing appropriate search terms in accordance with the PRISMA framework. A total of 431 studies were systematically identified, published between 2015 and 2025, and only 25 relevant studies were included in this review. Researchers collected data focusing on energy recovery percentages, volume reduction rates, emission reductions, and economic performance metrics. The findings revealed that every study included in the analysis showed positive results for WtE incineration across various performance measures. This research discovered the feasibility of generating electrical power from garbage through WtE incineration processes. The projected energy yields, ranging from gigawatt-hours to kilowatt-hours, were quantified for several nations, including Mexico (11,681.64 GWh), Cambodia (1625.81 GWh), Bangladesh (187.04 GWh), South Africa (6944 GWh), Iran (17,678 GWh), Nigeria (10,000 GWh), Indonesia (2487 MWh), Algeria (11.6 MWh), China (2316.52 MWh), Iraq (203.917 MWh), Uganda (774 kWh), and Pakistan (675 kWh). Energy recovery efficiency demonstrated a wide range from 30% to 92.75%, with waste volume reduction consistently reaching 90–95% levels, significantly prolonging landfill operational lifespans. From an environmental perspective, technology achieved greenhouse gas emission reductions ranging from 30% to 87%. This dual-purpose approach makes it an attractive, sustainable solution for both waste management and renewable energy production. By adopting this approach, cities can address waste and energy issues while boosting economic growth and job creation. However, it also involves substantial costs, technical difficulties, and environmental hazards that necessitate meticulous oversight.

Waste management is carried out to utilize the value that is still contained in the waste itself, namely through the process of composting, recycle / recycling, combustion (incineration), and others. Managing waste comes in the five most challenging aspects of managing a city, but strangely this sector receives less attention than other urban issues. The quality of waste services is one indicator of good city governance. Therefore, waste management is still a big challenge for the cities in Indonesia. These challenges include public awareness that is still relatively low, especially those selling in the market, the lack of waste collection facilities, and the limited number of sanitation extension workers so that the intensity of counseling is still low. Every region in Indonesia has its own regional regulations regarding waste management. Policies related to waste management in Kebumen Regency are regulated in the Regional Regulation of Kebumen Regency No. 34 of 2011. The regulation contains a reduction in the volume of waste, statements related to fees, compensation, partnerships, dispute resolution, investigations, and criminal provisions. The Kebumen Regency Public Works Office can manage 840 m³s of garbage every day, but only 320 m³s of garbage can be transported by sanitation workers to Semali TPA and Kaligending TPA. Specifically in the case of specific waste treatment, PKU Muhammadiyah Sruweng Hospital has used 20 closed tube containers with yellow plastic coated 60 liter and replaced every day for medical waste produced. The success of waste management policies in an area is seen from the factors of human resources, communication, facilities and infrastructure, and law.

A critical review on sustainable management and resource utilization of digestate

Comprehensive assessment of sustainable utilization of regional water resources, including three subsystems: social economy, water resources and eco-environment, is a large complicated and systematic evaluating problem. The selection of the index system for the regional sustainable development of water resources was discussed herein. Furthermore, a neural network methodology for regional water resources evaluation was introduced. The method adopts the radial basis function (RBF) architecture and dynamically penalized rival competitive learning algorithm, which is fast and repetitive, compared with most traditional techniques. Additionally, a new approach to produce training samples, testing samples and examining samples randomly distributed between the critical values was established. The sample used consists of 16 indexes, and by using the proposed methodology the sustainable evaluation of regional water resources could be successfully done. Results showed that from 1994 to 2005, the comprehensive index of water resources sustainable utilization in Zhengzhou city ascended with a fast speed of 0.023 per year, from sustainable development level IV to level III. The calculation with the model showed that, the comprehensive index of water resources sustainable utilization in the future planning years (2010, 2015, and 2020) could be enhanced with a speed of 0.011 per year. A sensitive analysis indicates that it is necessary to increase eco-environmental water consumption rate, industrial output from each cubic meter of water consumption, public greenbelt area per capita, foodstuff output from each cubic meter of water consumption, and to ensure that natural growth rate of population decreases steadily, which are playing an important role in improving sustainable utilization of water resources in Zhengzhou city.

The management of household organic waste is a growing challenge in residential areas due to increasing waste volumes and limited source-level treatment systems. This community service program aimed to build the capacity of residents in ATR-2 Housing, Jember, to process organic waste through assisted compost production using an aerobic drum composter. Activities included socialization, hands-on practice in filling and operating the drum composter, and monitoring and evaluation of the composting process. A 60-liter drum composter was operated using a layering technique of organic materials, addition of dry materials, and application of the EM4 activator. Results showed that liquid organic fertilizer could be harvested approximately one week after initial filling, while solid compost reached maturity within 30–40 days, characterized by a darker color, crumbly texture, and absence of foul odor. The program contributed to a reduction in organic waste volume, improved residents’ awareness and skills, and supported the use of compost on communal public facility planting areas. The mentoring-based approach proved effective and has potential for replication in other neighborhood or residential community settings.

Contaminated high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter media, containing PuO/sub 2/ powder which had been calcined at 700/sup 0/C, were treated with concentrated H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/-HNO/sub 3/ at 190 to 200/sup 0/C for periods ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 hours. When followed by a dilute HNO/sub 3/ rinse, this treatment was shown to be very effective as a plutonium recovery operation (approximately greater than 97% of the plutonium was solubilized). A proposed treatment scheme is given which could provide both a plutonium recovery option for HEPA filters and a reduction in overall waste volume.

The evaluation of sustainable water resources’ utilization capacity in the Huangshui Basin is essential for effective management and development in the water-scarce regions of northwest China. This research provides valuable insights into the basin’s potential capacity for sustainable water resource use by developing a comprehensive evaluation index that addresses the following three critical aspects: climate factors, water resource systems, and socio-economic conditions. The evaluation is conducted using a dual method, as follows: the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model and the ELECTRE III evaluation method. The results indicate that the Huangshui Basin’s water resources, as a whole, exhibit a medium sustainable utilization capacity. Climatic factors and socio-economic characteristics are the main factors affecting the sustainable utilization of water resources in the Huangshui Basin. Remarkably, both methods yield consistent results, indicating that the overall sustainable utilization capacity of the Huangshui Basin’s water resources is medium. Climatic factors and socio-economic characteristics are identified as the primary aspects influencing the sustainable utilization of water resources in the basin. Based on these findings, recommendations such as enhancing the introduction of external water resources, improving water resources’ management, and implementing comprehensive remediation efforts can help to elevate the level of sustainable water use. This research not only contributes to a deeper understanding of the basin’s water resources’ dynamics, but also serves as an important reference for informed decision making regarding sustainable utilization in the Huangshui Basin.

Recycling of copper used in fusion power plants

Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat di desa Sidamukti, Pandeglang, Banten, difokuskan pada pelatihan pembuatan eco-enzyme sebagai solusi pengelolaan limbah rumah tangga. Wilayah pesisir desa ini menghadapi tantangan besar dalam pengelolaan sampah, khususnya limbah organik. Tujuan utama dari kegiatan ini adalah meningkatkan kesadaran masyarakat dan mengurangi volume sampah organik melalui pembuatan eco-enzyme, inovasi ramah lingkungan yang diperoleh dari fermentasi limbah organik. Dalam pelaksanaannya, metode participatory rural appraisal (PRA) diterapkan untuk memastikan partisipasi aktif masyarakat dalam setiap tahapan kegiatan. Hasil dari program ini menunjukkan peningkatan partisipasi masyarakat hingga 80%, serta penurunan volume limbah organik sebesar 60% dalam enam bulan. Eco-enzyme yang dihasilkan terbukti efektif dalam mengurangi bau dan mempercepat proses penguraian sampah organik. Secara keseluruhan, kegiatan ini berhasil meningkatkan kesadaran lingkungan dan meningkatkan partisipasi masyarakat dalam pengelolaan limbah, memberikan dampak positif yang signifikan terhadap kualitas lingkungan desa Sidamukti. Keberhasilan program pemanfaatan limbah organik menjadi eco enzyme memiliki implikasi positif dalam membantu menciptakan lingkungan yang lebih bersih, sehat, dan berkelanjutan. Ke depannya, diperlukan dukungan pemerintah dan berbagai pihak terkait untuk menciptakan ekosistem yang mendukung pengembangan dan pemanfaatan eco enzyme secara luas. The Community Service Program conducted in Sidamukti village, Pandeglang, Banten, focused on training residents to produce eco-enzyme as a solution for managing household waste. This coastal area faces significant challenges in waste management, particularly organic waste. The primary objective of the program was to raise community awareness and reduce the volume of organic waste through the production of eco-enzyme, an environmentally friendly innovation derived from organic waste fermentation. The participatory rural appraisal (PRA) method was employed to ensure active community involvement in each stage of the activity. The results demonstrated an 80% increase in community participation and a 60% reduction in organic waste volume within six months. The eco-enzyme produced proved effective in reducing odor and accelerating the decomposition of organic waste. Overall, this initiative successfully enhanced environmental awareness and increased community participation in waste management, significantly improving environmental quality in Sidamukti village. The success of the program to utilize organic waste into eco enzyme has positive implications in helping to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment. In the future, the support of the government and various related parties is needed to create an ecosystem that supports the development and utilization of eco enzyme widely.

The assessment of effluent recycling process and drilling waste management procedure in some Niger Delta States in Nigeria to identify ways to minimize cost in oil production, have been investigated. Niger Delta States are located in southern part of Nigeria, which are known to be the highest in crude oil production in Nigeria, however, the process of exploration and extracting of the oil also affects the ecosystem of that particular area. A comparative design was taken, which analysed various indices in the conventional methods of drilling waste management applied in a site in Edo State northern part of Nigeria, and comparing it to some modified methods employed in the wellhole locations in Imo State. The research was conducted in a wellhole site located in Ohaji Imo state, southern part of Nigeria, afterward, a correlation was drawn between the volume of generated waste and the drilling waste management, in order to develop a cost-effective model of waste management in the region. From the result obtained from the quantitative measures taken at the four drilling sites in Edo and Imo States, a significant reduction in waste volume of about 50% was observed, which therefore minimized the cost of drilling observed in Ohaji site, maybe as a result of the enhanced drilling design layouts using the effluent recycling method adopted in that location. The study therefore recommends the adoption of effluent recycling as a technique to be incorporated in the management of drilling waste during onshore petroleum development in the Niger Delta, among others, which would improve productivity.

Continuous increment of plastic bottle waste creates new problems of space-consuming both in landfills and the ocean. Hence, plastic bottle waste recycling process and volume reduction are needed. This paper proposes a component design concept of a pressing machine to press plastic bottle wastes for volume reduction purpose. The proposed design essentially brings a concept of combining hydraulic and gear power to produce the pressing mechanism. Some boundary conditions were applied, such as force magnification, weight, and dimension; thus, the machine can be portable because of small scale dimension and light weight. Furthermore, the machine can be used as a demonstration machine for education purpose.