Browsing by Keyword "Waste Management and Disposal"
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Item Application of ecological risk assessment based on a novel TRIAD-tiered approach to contaminated soil surrounding a closed non-sealed landfill(2015-05-01) Gutiérrez, Laura; Garbisu, Carlos; Ciprián, Estela; Becerril, José M.; Soto, Manu; Etxebarria, Javier; Madariaga, Juan M.; Antigüedad, Iñaki; Epelde, Lur; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; MercadoThe Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) is a reliable tool for communicating risk to decision makers in a comprehensive and scientific evidence-based way. In this work, a site-specific ERA methodology based on the TRIAD approach was applied to contaminated soil surrounding a closed non-sealed landfill, as a case study to implement and validate such ERA methodology in the Basque Country (northern Spain). Initially, the procedure consisted of the application of a Parameter Selection Module aimed at selecting the most suitable parameters for the specific characteristics of the landfill contaminated soil, taking into consideration the envisioned land use, intended ecosystem services and nature of contaminants. Afterwards, the selected parameters were determined in soil samples collected from two sampling points located downstream of the abovementioned landfill. The results from these tests were normalized to make them comparable and integrable in a risk index. Then, risk assessment criteria were developed and applied to the two landfill contaminated soil samples. Although the lack of a proper control soil was evidenced, a natural land use was approved by the ERA (at Tier 2) for the two landfill contaminated soils. However, the existence of a potential future risk resulting from a hypothetical soil acidification must be considered.Item Assessment of nanoparticles release into the environment during drilling of carbon nanotubes/epoxy and carbon nanofibres/epoxy nanocomposites(2017-10-15) Starost, Kristof; Frijns, Evelien; Van Laer, Jo; Faisal, Nadimul; Egizabal, Ainhoa; Elizetxea, Cristina; Blazquez, Maria; Nelissen, Inge; Njuguna, James; Elizextea, Cristina; Biomateriales; POLIMEROSThe risk assessment, exposure and understanding of the release of embedded carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) from commercial high performance composites during machining processes are yet to be fully evaluated and quantified. In this study, CNTs and CNFs were dispersed in epoxy matrix through calendaring process to form nanocomposites. The automated drilling was carried out in a specially designed drilling chamber that allowed elimination of background noise from the measurements. Emission measurements were taken using condensed particle counter (CPC), scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and DMS50 Fast Particulate Size Spectrometer. In comparison to the neat epoxy, the study results revealed that the nano-filled samples produced an increase of 102% and 227% for the EP/CNF and EP/CNT sample respectively in average particle number concentration emission. The particle mass concentration indicated that the EP/CNT and EP/CNF samples released demands a vital new perspective on CNTs and CNFs embedded within nanocomposite materials to be considered and evaluated for occupational exposure assessment. Importantly, the increased concentration observed at 10 nm aerosol particle sizes measurements strongly suggest that there are independent CNTs being released at this range.Item Biochar and compost amendments enhance copper immobilisation and support plant growth in contaminated soils(2016-04-15) Jones, Sarah; Bardos, R. Paul; Kidd, Petra S.; Mench, Michel; de Leij, Frans; Hutchings, Tony; Cundy, Andrew; Joyce, Chris; Soja, Gerhard; Friesl-Hanl, Wolfgang; Herzig, Rolf; Menger, Pierre; ECONOMÍA CIRCULARContamination of soil with trace elements, such as Cu, is an important risk management issue. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of three biochars and compost on plant growth and the immobilisation of Cu in a contaminated soil from a site formerly used for wood preservation. To assess Cu mobility, amended soils were analysed using leaching tests pre- and post-incubation, and post-growth. Amended and unamended soils were planted with sunflower, and the resulting plant material was assessed for yield and Cu concentration. All amendments significantly reduced leachable Cu compared to the unamended soil, however, the greatest reductions in leachable Cu were associated with the higher biochar application rate. The greatest improvements in plant yields were obtained with the higher application rate of biochar in combination with compost. The results suggest joint biochar and compost amendment reduces Cu mobility and can support biomass production on Cu-contaminated soils.Item Carbon molecular sieve membranes for selective CO2 separation at elevated temperatures and pressures(2023-02) Rahimalimamaghani, A.; Godini, H.R.; Mboussi, M.; Pacheco Tanaka, A.; Llosa Tanco, M.; Gallucci, F.; TECNOLOGÍA DE MEMBRANAS E INTENSIFICACIÓN DE PROCESOSThe use of Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes (CMSM) for selective CO2 separation from post-combustion CO2-rich streams from steel plant was experimentally evaluated and reported in this paper. Efficient CMSMs were developed for such application and their promising potentials in operating at elevated temperatures and pressures were experimentally demonstrated. The best performance in terms of flux as well as perm-selectivity, above the Robeson upper bound, was obtained using a CMSM developed with ethylenediamine in the dip-coating stage of the fabrication. In fact, adding ethylenediamine was proven to be particularly important in narrowing down the pore size distribution to ultra-micropore and establishing effective CO2 adsorption site over the membrane surface and the pores wall. It was shown that using a tailored CMSM with a precursor synthesized by co-polymerization of ethylenediamine with Novolac can improve the CO2/N2 ideal perm-selectivity from 33 to 97 at operational conditions of 200 °C and 20 bar.Item End-of-life management of single-use baby diapers: Analysis of technical, health and environment aspects: Analysis of technical, health and environment aspects(2022-08-25) Płotka-Wasylka, Justyna; Makoś-Chełstowska, Patrycja; Kurowska-Susdorf, Aleksandra; Treviño, María José Santoyo; Guzmán, Sergio Zarazúa; Mostafa, Heba; Cordella, Mauro; Tecnalia Research & InnovationSingle-use baby diapers belongs to an important group of products used in the parenting journey because of their high performance and convenience. Single-use baby diapers are normally thrown away after one-time use, resulting in a waste management problem. The goal of this paper was to better understand main environmental concerns of different types of diapers and address how to reduce them, with a special consideration of waste management strategies and user behaviour practices. Furthermore, health and environmental hazards potentially associated with materials included in diapers, or substances formed from diapers during the waste treatment stage, are also analysed (e.g., phthalates, pesticides, dioxins, pesticides). Three main types of baby diapers have been analysed: single-use baby diapers, reusable baby diapers, and biodegradable single-use diapers. Each type of diaper comes with technical characteristics and environmental concerns and challenges, which are discussed in this paper to support the development of measures for the safe(r) and sustainable design, use and end of life management of baby diapers.Item Energy-socio-economic-environmental modelling for the EU energy and post-COVID-19 transitions(2022-01-20) Cazcarro, Ignacio; García-Gusano, Diego; Iribarren, Diego; Linares, Pedro; Romero, José Carlos; Arocena, Pablo; Arto, Iñaki; Banacloche, Santacruz; Lechón, Yolanda; Miguel, Luis Javier; Zafrilla, Jorge; López, Luis-Antonio; Langarita, Raquel; Cadarso, María-Ángeles; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; PLANIFICACIÓN ENERGÉTICARelevant energy questions have arisen because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic shock leads to emissions’ reductions consistent with the rates of decrease required to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. Those unforeseen drastic reductions in emissions are temporary as long as they do not involve structural changes. However, the COVID-19 consequences and the subsequent policy response will affect the economy for decades. Focusing on the EU, this discussion article argues how recovery plans are an opportunity to deepen the way towards a low-carbon economy, improving at the same time employment, health, and equity and the role of modelling tools. Long-term alignment with the low-carbon path and the development of a resilient transition towards renewable sources should guide instruments and policies, conditioning aid to energy-intensive sectors such as transport, tourism, and the automotive industry. However, the potential dangers of short-termism and carbon leakage persist. The current energy-socio-economic-environmental modelling tools are precious to widen the scope and deal with these complex problems. The scientific community has to assess disparate, non-equilibrium, and non-ordinary scenarios, such as sectors and countries lockdowns, drastic changes in consumption patterns, significant investments in renewable energies, and disruptive technologies and incorporate uncertainty analysis. All these instruments will evaluate the cost-effectiveness of decarbonization options and potential consequences on employment, income distribution, and vulnerability.Item Life cycle assessment (LCA) and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) analysis to determine the performance of 3D printed cement mortars and geopolymers(2022-07-19) Yoris-Nobile, Adrian I.; Lizasoain-Arteaga, Esther; Slebi-Acevedo, Carlos J.; Blanco-Fernandez, Elena; Alonso-Cañon, Sara; Indacoechea-Vega, Irune; Castro-Fresno, Daniel; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; ECONOMÍA CIRCULARA comparison between low-clinker cement and geopolymer mortars for their application in 3 D printing is discussed in this paper. The mortars are composed of materials with low environmental impact, such as cements with low clinker content, by-products of the industry and recycled aggregates. The developed mortars were both mechanically and rheologically characterized. The environmental impact was studied by LCA. To select the most suitable dosages, MCDM analysis was applied based on cost of materials, printability and LCA. Compressive strength was considered as a normalizing parameter for both the LCA and cost. The mortars showed good printability and suitable mechanical strength, being higher in the cement mortars. The LCA showed that the geopolymer mortars have a higher environmental impact due to the use of sodium hydroxide. Likewise, MCDM revealed that low-clinker cement mortars are at the top of the ranking, due to a lower environmental impact and lower cost of materials.Item Removal of TiO 2 nanoparticles from water by low pressure pilot plant filtration(2018-03-15) Olabarrieta, Josune; Monzón, Oihane; Belaustegui, Yolanda; Alvarez, Jon-Iñaki; Zorita, Saioa; VALORIZACIÓN DE RESIDUOS; ADAPTACIÓN AL CAMBIO CLIMÁTICORising use of nanoparticles in manufacturing as well as in commercial products bring issues related to environmental release and human exposure. A large amount of TiO2 nanoparticles will eventually reach wastewater treatment plants. Low pressure membrane filtration has been suggested as a feasible treatment of water streams. This study investigated first at laboratory scale the influence of: i) membrane material, ii) pore size and iii) water chemistry on nTiO2 removal. TiO2 retention was governed by the cake layer formation mechanism and significant retention of nanoparticles was observed even for filters having considerably larger pores than nTiO2. PVDF showed a great potential for nTiO2 rejection. Additionally, filtration pilot plant experiments were carried out using PVDF membranes (0.03 and 0.4 μm pore size). The release of nTiO2 in the pilot scale filtration system was always above the instrumental detection limit (> 1.5 μg/L) and in most cases below 100 μg/L regardless of the pore size and applied conditions. The nTiO2 membrane breakthrough predominantly occurred in the first few minutes after backwashes and ceased when the cake layer was formed. Ultrafiltration and microfiltration were comparable with rejection of nTiO2 above 95% at similar permeate flow rates. Nevertheless, ultrafiltration is more promising than microfiltration because it allowed longer operation times between backwash cycles.Item Revisiting the role of steam methane reforming with CO2 capture and storage for long-term hydrogen production(2021-06-01) Navas-Anguita, Zaira; García-Gusano, Diego; Dufour, Javier; Iribarren, Diego; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; PLANIFICACIÓN ENERGÉTICARoad transport is associated with high greenhouse gas emissions due to its current dependence on fossil fuels. In this regard, the implementation of alternative fuels such as hydrogen is expected to play a key role in decarbonising the transport system. Nevertheless, attention should be paid to the suitability of hydrogen production pathways as low-carbon solutions. In this work, an energy systems optimisation model for the prospective assessment of a national hydrogen production mix was upgraded in order to unveil the potential role of grey hydrogen from steam methane reforming (SMR) and blue hydrogen from SMR with CO2 capture and storage (CCS) in satisfying the hydrogen demanded by fuel cell electric vehicles in Spain from 2020 to 2050. This was done by including CCS retrofit of SMR plants in the energy systems model, as a potential strategy within the scope of the European Hydrogen Strategy. Considering three hypothetical years for banning hydrogen from fossil-based plants without CCS (2030, 2035, and 2040), it was found that SMR could satisfy the whole demand for hydrogen for road transport in the short term (2020–2030), while being substituted by water electrolysis in the medium-to-long term (2030–2050). Furthermore, this trend was found to be associated with an appropriate prospective behaviour in terms of carbon footprint.Item Selective leaching of copper and zinc from primary ores and secondary mineral residues using biogenic ammonia(2021-02-05) Williamson, Adam J.; Verbruggen, Florian; Chavez Rico, Vania S.; Bergmans, Jef; Spooren, Jeroen; Yurramendi, Lourdes; Laing, Gijs Du; Boon, Nico; Hennebel, Tom; VALORIZACIÓN DE RESIDUOSWith the number of easily accessible ores depleting, alternate primary and secondary sources are required to meet the increasing demand of economically important metals. Whilst highly abundant, these materials are of lower grade with respect to traditional ores, thus highly selective and sustainable metal extraction technologies are needed to reduce processing costs. Here, we investigated the metal leaching potential of biogenic ammonia produced by a ureolytic strain of Lysinibacillus sphaericus on eight primary and secondary materials, comprised of mining and metallurgical residues, sludges and automotive shredder residues (ASR). For the majority of materials, moderate to high yields (30–70%) and very high selectivity (>97% against iron) of copper and zinc were obtained with 1 mol L−1 total ammonia. Optimal leaching was achieved and further refined for the ASR in a two-step indirect leaching system with biogenic ammonia. Copper leaching was the result of local corrosion and differences in leaching against the synthetic (NH4)2CO3 control could be accounted for by pH shifts from microbial metabolism, subsequently altering free NH3 required for coordination. These results provide important findings for future sustainable metal recovery technologies from secondary materials.Item Taking advantage of an existing indoor climate monitorization for measuring occupancy(2017) Saralegui, Unai; Anton, Miguel Angel; Ordieres-Mere, Joaquin; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; DIGITALIZACIÓN Y AUTOMATIZACIÓN DE LA CONSTRUCCIÓNThis paper describes a procedure to gain additional information from an already existing infrastructure primarily designed for other purposes. The deployed sensor network consists of wirelessly communicated indoor climate monitoring sensors, for which it is tried to extend its usage by determining occupancy in the room they are located, in that way the system provides a higher level aspect of the house usage. An elderly caring institution’s building has been monitored for one year obtaining data about temperature, relative humidity and CO2 levels from five different rooms. Such data shows some interesting patterns as the air flow between the rooms which should be considered in any real case scenario. The data has been used to train some machine learning models, which show acceptable quality overall suggesting to use this kind of sensing equipment to perform an occupancy monitoring non-intrusively. The acquired knowledge could bring additional opportunities in the care of the elderly, especially for specific diseases that are usually accompanied by changes in patterns of behaviour. By using the occupancy status it could be possible to determine changes in the daily patterns in that segment of the population which could be an indicative of the initial states of a disease or a worsening in it.