EnviSci Midterm Reviewer Flashcards
A mixture of different gases in the atmosphere.
Air
Earth’s air is composed of about how many percent?
78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, 0.9 percent argon, and 0.1 percent other gases
The origin of air begins with the Oxygen Catastrophe, also known as the __________, which occurred about 2.7 billion years ago.
Great Oxidation
Microorganisms that perform ___________ lessen the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Oxyphotosynthesis
It is the horizontal motion of air due to the pressure difference between two places.
Wind
It is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas.
Aerosol
Aerosols such as fog, dust, and mist.
Natural Aerosols
Aerosols such as Particulate air pollutants, Smoke, Sprayed Pesticides
Anthropogenic Aerosols
These tiny microbial organisms found in the air that can travel long distances through the air—via wind, rain, or even a sneeze!
Bioaerosols
During _________, a living thing takes in oxygen from the air and gives out carbon dioxide.
Respiration
Introduction of harmful materials into the environment
Pollution
The contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is the ____ largest threat to human health.
4th
Breathing polluted air can reduce life expectancy by up to how many years?
2 years
Sources of Air Pollution including dust from places without vegetation, animals, vegetation, wildfires, and volcanic activity.
Natural Sources
In large areas of open land that have little to no vegetation and are particularly dry due to a lack of precipitation, wind can naturally create dust storms.
Dust from places without vegetation
Their digestion is another cause of natural air pollution, leading to the release of methane, another greenhouse gas.
Animals (particularly by cattle)
Vegetation – such as black gum, poplar, oak, and willow trees – emits significant amounts _______ of on warmer days.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
These react with primary anthropogenic pollutants – specifically nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon compounds – to produce low-lying seasonal hazes that are rich in ozone.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
This particulate matter, when added to the air, can have a natural warming effect and can also be a health hazard for living creatures.
Dust from places without vegetation
Are a natural occurrence in wooded areas when prolonged dry periods occur, generally as a result of season changes and a lack of precipitation.
Wildfires
The ________ caused by these fires contribute to carbon levels in the atmosphere, which allows for greater warming by causing a Greenhouse Effect.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
Are a major source of natural air pollution that produces tremendous amounts of sulfuric, chlorine, and ash products, which are released into the atmosphere and can be picked up by winds to be dispersed over large areas.
Volcanic eruptions
Sources of Air Pollution including environmental tobacco smoke, wood stoves and gas ranges, building materials, asbestos, radon, and biological agents.
Domestic Sources
It is a major air pollutant and one of the most dangerous of all.
It is a leading cause of indoor air pollution.
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
When not properly maintained and vented, they emit noxious substances including Carbon monoxide, Oxides of nitrogen, Particulates, and Hydrocarbons.
Wood stoves
________ may produce nitrogen oxide.
Gas ranges
Potentially important sources of Indoor Air Quality contaminants, which can contain contaminants that are gradually emitted throughout the life of the material.
Building Materials
It is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion.
Asbestos
It is a radioactive gas that has no smell, color or taste.
Radon
The most common source of indoor radon is ________ in the soil or rock on which homes are built.
Uranium
These include bacteria, molds, viruses, animal dander and saliva, dust mites, cockroach parts, and pollens.
These pollutants can travel through the air and are not always easy to see.
Indoor biological pollutants
Sources of air pollution including pesticides and fertilizers, emissions from tractors and farm vehicles, and deforestations.
Agricultural Sources
They emit pollutants such as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). These pollutants can contribute to health problems that may affect residents, the neighborhood, and the community.
Pesticides and Fertilizers
During clearing and working large parts of the land, they emit CO2 from the burning of diesel fuel.
Emission from Tractors and Farm Vehicles.
It refers to the purposeful clearing of forested land.
Deforestation
World water day
March 22
Sources of air pollution including electricity, fragrance, and biomass.
Commercial Sources
Most mechanisms for generating ________ release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
electricity
Gases that absorb and emit radiation into Earth’s atmosphere.
Greenhouse Gases
Primary source of indoor air pollutants which is a formulation of dozens of chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Fragrance Products
Examples are ethanol, alpha pinene, acetone, limonene, beta pinene and acetaldehyde which are considered indoor air pollutants.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Smoke from __________ combustion produces a large number of health-damaging air pollutants including respirable particulate matter, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, benzene, 1,3 butadiene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (such as benzo[a]pyrene), and many other toxic organic compounds.
Biomass
Sources of air pollution including oil and gas, petrochemical plants, steelmaking, and hazardous wastes.
Industrial Sources
Every stage of ________ operations, from production and extraction to processing and distribution, releases air pollution that negatively affects public health and exacerbates the climate crisis.
Oil and gas
They are major source of hazardous and toxic air pollutants such as BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene).
They are also a major source of criteria air pollutants: particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
They release less toxic hydrocarbons such as natural gas (methane) and other light volatile fuels and oils.
Petroleum refineries
Steel particularly requires coal for energy, so a lot of emission is caused by ________ .
coal combustion
________ emit air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2. 5 and PM10), carbon dioxide, Sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, etc.
Steel plants
These are released from activities such as: burning waste (including plastics, medical and hazardous waste) smoking, and using solvent base paints.
Hazardous air pollutants
Generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions.
Transportation sector
The most common include lead (Pb), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), silicon tetrafluoride (SF6), benzene and volatile components (BTX), heavy metals (zinc, chrome, copper, and cadmium), and particulate matters (ash, dust).
Transportation-related sources
A mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.
Particulate Pollutants
Are particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter.
PM10
Are particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter.
PM2.5 (or fine particles)
True or False. PM does not include gas pollutants like ozone and NO2.
True
Emissions from combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel or wood produce much of the ______ pollution found in outdoor air.
PM2.5
also includes dust from construction sites, landfills and agriculture, wildfires and brush/waste burning, industrial sources, wind-blown dust from open lands, pollen, and fragments of bacteria.
PM10
For materials that are hazardous when deposited anywhere in the respiratory tract.
Inhalable Particulate Mass-TLVs
Assigned to materials that are hazardous when deposited anywhere within the lung airways and the gas-exchange region (the lower airways passages).
Thoracic Particulate Mass-TLVs
For particulates that are small enough to reach the gas exchange region and are hazardous only if they are deposited in that region.
Respirable Particulate Mass-TLVs
Colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. Also known as the “silent killer “
Effects on human health include Cardiovascular and Neurological Effects, Headaches, Nausea, Fatigue, Death.
Carbon Monoxide CO
A mixture of gases that are composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Produces smog (Ozone) when reacting with Volatile Organic Compound (VOCS)
Effects on human health include Pulmonary Fibrosis, Emphysema, Lower respiratory trach illness, inflammation and irritation of breathing passages.
Nitrogen Oxides
Ozone is a gas composed of three atoms of oxygen. Occurs both in the earth’s upper atmosphere and at ground level.
O3
Is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. Is a liquid when under pressure, and it dissolves in water very easily.
Effects on human health include Bronchoconstriction and Burning of the nose and throat.
Sulfur Dioxide SO2
Is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in small amounts in the earth’s crust.
Effects on human health include adverse effects on nervous, kidney, immune, reproductive, and cardiovascular systems and can stall mental development in children.
Lead Pb
A naturally-occurring chemical element found in rock in the earth’s crust, including in deposits of coal.
Three types found in the environment are elemental (metallic), methylmercury, other organic compounds, and inorganic.
Effects on human health include Loss of peripheral vision; “Pins and needles” feelings, usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth; Lack of coordination of movements; Impairment of speech, hearing, and walking; Muscle weakness.
Mercury Hg
Colorless, odorless gas that occurs abundantly in nature and as a product of certain human activities.
Is among the most potent of the greenhouse gases.
Also contributes to the formation of smog.
Methane CO4
Includes any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic.
Acid rains
A wear mechanism that is caused by the inclusion of hard particles between two sliding or rolling surfaces.
Abrasion
Laying down of sediment or particulate matter on the surfaces of materials.
Deposition and Removal
Is the process of substances reacting directly with another material that results in chemical degradation or change.
Direct Chemical Attack
Is the process of substances reacting indirectly with another substance, which in turn, results in a new substance that could then directly damage said materials.
Indirect Chemical Attack
A chemical or electrochemical reaction which results in the degradation of materials that is almost unique to metals.
Corrosion
The techniques employed to reduce or eliminate the emission into theatmosphereof substances that can harm theenvironmentor human health.
Air pollution control
Mainly aimed at correction right at the source so there will be lesser amount of pollutant emitted.
Examples such as:
- Using natural gas in place of coal for power generation
- Using LPG/CNG instead of diesel or petrol in automobiles
Preventive Measures
The most common method of eliminating/reducing pollutants to an acceptable level which includes:
- Collecting the pollutants by using equipment
- Destroying the pollutants by thermal or catalytic combustion
- Changing the pollutant to less toxic form
Control Measures
___________ of pollutants by wind reduces the concentration of air pollutants at one place although it does not remove them from the environment as a whole.
Dispersion
The most important natural mechanism, under which large heavy particles from ambient air settles down on buildings, trees, and other objects. This generally happens for the particles which are 50 µm in size.
Gravitational Settling
This process also helps in removing flocculated particles formed by uniting of smaller particles over larger particles, till a floc particle, large and heavy enough to settle out under gravity is formed.
Gravitational Settling
The gaseous as well as particulate pollutants from the air get collected in the rain or mist and may settle out with that moisture. This phenomenon takes place below the cloud level, when falling raindrops absorb pollutants, and is also known as washouts or scavenging. However, it does not help in removing particles smaller than 1µm in size.
Absorption
The gaseous pollutants are removed in a dissolved state with moisture, either with or without chemical changes.
Absorption
The process involving precipitation above the cloud level where submicron particles present in the atmosphere in the cloud serve as condensation nuclei around which drops of water may form and fall out as raindrop.
Rainout
This phenomenon helps in increased rainfall and fog formation in urban areas, containing huge quantity of such particles, raising high above the cloud level.
Rainout
The phenomenon in which the gaseous, liquid, or solid pollutants present in the ambient air are kept attached, generally electrostatically by a surface where they are concentrated and retained.
Adsorption
A measure of how clean or polluted the air is. It is measured with the air quality index, or AQI.
Air quality
This works sort of like a thermometer that runs from 0 to 500 degrees. However, instead of showing changes in the temperature, it shows changes in the amount of pollution in the air.
AQI
It can track five major pollutants including Ground-level ozone, Carbon monoxide, Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, Airborne particles, or aerosols
AQI
It is the control of the level of pollutants prescribed by regulations that is a set of specific techniques and measures identified and implemented to achieve reductions in air pollution to attain an air quality standard or goal.
Air Quality Control
Refers to all the activities a regulatory authority undertakes to help protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of air pollution.
Air quality management
Are tiny particles and droplets in the air that are made up of hundreds of different chemicals.
Particulate emissions
What does EPA stand for?
Environmental Protection Agency
Used to remove particles with size greater than 50 µm.
Gravitational Settling Chamber
- Low initial cost
- Simple to design
- Low pressure drop
- Low maintenance cost
- Dry and continuous disposal of solid particulates
Advantages of Gravitational settling chamber
- Collection of efficiency can be increased by providing the baffles and horizontal tray in the chamber to reduce the settling path
- Usually used for removal of large solid particulates
Disadvantages of Gravitational Settling Chamber
CF is utilized to separate the particulate matter from the gas. As CF is much greater than gravitational force, smaller particles can be removed (10 – 50 µm).
Centrifugal Collectors
A is a specially designed closed chamber, in which the velocity of the inlet gas is transformed into spinning vortex and the particles from the gas are thrown out under the centrifugal force.
Cyclone separator
- Low initial cost
- Requires less floor area
- Low to moderate pressure loss (2.5–20 cm)
- Simple construction and maintenance
- Dry continuous disposal of collected dust
- Handles large volume of gas at high temperature
Advantages of Centrifugal Collectors
- Requires large head room
- Less efficiency for smaller particles
- Severe abrasive deterioration
- Sensitive to variable dust load and flow rates
- Usually used in industries producing larger quantities of gas containing larger sized particles
Disadvantages of centrifugal Collectors
It works on the principle of electrical charging of the particulate matter and collecting it on a differently charged collecting surface. It has a very high efficiency of about 99% and can remove particles in the size of 0.1 µm to 1 µm efficiently.
Electrostatic Precipitators
- High collection efficiency
- Particles may be collected dry or wet
- Can be operated at high temperature
- Maintenance is nominal
- Few moving parts
- Treatment time is negligible
Advantages of Electrostatic Precipitators
- High initial cost
- Uses high voltage
- Possible explosion hazards
- Collection efficiency reduces with time
- More space requirement
- Widely used in thermal power plants, cement factories, iron and steel industries, mining, etc.
Disadvantages of Electrostatic Precipitators
It outs the particulate matter from the gas stream and allow clear gas to flow. In such a system, the flue gas is allowed to pass through a woven or felted fabric which filters out the particulate matter and allows the gas to pass. It can remove particles up to 1 µm.
Fabric filters
- High collection efficiency for all particle sizes
- Performance decrease becomes visible
- Nominal power consumption
- Dry disposal of collected particles
Advantages of Fabric Filters
- High temperature gases need to be cooled to the range within which filter are stable
- High maintenance and fabric replacement cost
- Large size equipment
- Fabric is liable to chemical attack
Disadvantages of Fabric Filters
Particulate matter are incorporated into liquid droplets and thus are removed from the gas stream. Flue gas is made to push up against a down falling water current. The particulate matter mixes up with water droplets and thus, falls down and get removed.
Scrubbers
Three types of scrubbers
- Spray towers
- Venturi scrubbers
- cyclone scrubbers
- Simultaneously removes particulate and gaseous pollutants
- Cools hot gases
- No particles re-entrainment
- Recovers and neutralizes corrosive gases
Advantages of Scrubbers
- Produces a lot of wastewater
- Wet outlet gases cannot rise from the stack
- Poses freezing problems in cold countries
- Maintenance cost is high
Disadvantages of Scrubbers
It includes the following:
- Limiting emissions from stationary sources
- Choice of fuel
- Combustion control
- Process modifications
- Modifications in operating conditions
Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control
Means avoiding the stoichiometric ratio (the exact ratio of chemicals that enter into reaction)
NOEC Method 1: Reducing Temperature
At high combustion temperatures can be done by ignition or injection timing with internal combustion engines.
NOEC Method 2: Reducing Residence Time
This technique provides a chemically reducing (i.e., reversal of oxidation) substance to remove oxygen from nitrogen oxides.
NOEC Method 3: Chemical Reduction of NOx
This technique intentionally raises the valence of the nitrogen ion to allow water to absorb it.
NOEC Method 4: Oxidation of NOx
This is accomplished by removing of nitrogen as a reactant either by: (1) using oxygen instead of air in the combustion process; or (2) using ultra-low nitrogen content fuel to form less fuel NOx.
NOEC method 5: Removal of Nitrogen From Combustion
Treatment of flue gas by injection of sorbents (such as ammonia, powdered limestone, aluminum oxide, or carbon) can remove NOx and other pollutants (principally sulfur).
NOEC Method 6: Sorption, both adsorption and absorption.
Many of these methods can be combined to achieve a lower NOx concentration than can be achieved alone by any one method.
NOEC Method 7: Combinations of NOEC methods
Transporting the pollutants over larger distances, and thus, reducing the pollution near the emission source.
AQC by Dilution
Clean Air Act of the Philippines, June 23, 1999
RA 8749
DENR
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DoTr
Department of Transportation
DTI
Department of Trade and Industry
DoE
Department of Energy
DOST
Department of Science and Technology
PSA
Philippine Statistics Authority
LGU
Local Government Units
All potential sources of Air Pollution covered by the Clean Air Act
Mobile, Point, and Area Sources
These include the following:
- Section 1.Fines and Penalties for Violations of Other Provisions in the Act
- Section 2.Burning of Municipal Waste
- Section 3.Burning of Hazardous Substances and Wastes
- Section 4.Burning of Bio-Medical Waste
- Section 5.Smoking in Public Places
- Section 6.Manufacture, Importation, Sale, Offer for Sale, Introduction into Commerce,Conveyance or other Disposition of Leaded Gasoline.
Fines and penalties for Violation of the Clean Air Act
Refers to any type of garbage, trash, refuse or discarded material.
Solid Waste
It is the discarded solid material from industry/large-scale production.
Non-Municipal Solid Waste
It is made up of discarded solid materials from residences, small businesses, and city buildings.
Municipal Solid Waste
Four Types of Municipal Waste
- Domestic Waste
- Commercial Waste
- Industrial Waste
- Institutional Waste
The different household wastes which are collected during household activities like cooking, cleaning, etc. are known as domestic wastes.
Example: leaves, vegetable peels, excreta, etc.
Domestic Waste
Any waste produced by a business on its premises.
Commercial Waste
Waste produced by industrial activity during a manufacturing process.
Example: plastic, glass, etc.
Industrial Waste
These are the material discarded by schools, by hospitals, by nonmanufacturing activities at prisons and government facilities, and by other similar establishments or facilities.
Example: plastic, hazardous materials, paper etc.
Institutional Waste
- Density
- Moisture content
- Size of Waste constituents
- Calorific Value
Physical Characteristics of Solid Waste
- Chemical
- Bio-Chemical
- Toxic
Chemical Characteristics of Solid Waste
Defined as the ratio of the weight of water (wet weight - dry weight) to the total wet weight of the waste.
Moisture content
The amount of heat generated from combustion of a unit weight of a substance, expressed as kcal/kg.
Calorific value
The calorific value is determined experimentally using _________ in which the heat generated at a constant temperature of 25OC from the combustion of a dry sample is measured.
Bomb calorimeter
Include pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (N-P-K), total Carbon, C/N ratio, calorific value.
Chemical characteristics of SW
Include carbohydrates, proteins, natural fiber, and biodegradable factor.
Bio-Chemical characteristics of SW
Include heavy metals, pesticides, insecticides, Toxicity test for Leachates (TCLP), etc.
Toxicity characteristics of SW
Branch of public health that focuses on the relationships between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being, and fosters healthy and safe communities.
Environmental health
The World Health Organization and the World Bank estimate that approximately _____________ cases worldwide can be attributed to poor water quality, sanitation, and hygiene.
88% of diarrhea
Involves the reduction of the introduction of waste products into the environment. This can be done by avoiding the unnecessary use of resources that produce waste.
Reduce
Efficient way to keep waste out of landfills. It gives value to materials that are deemed to be waste.
Reuse
The process or practice of collecting old or used materials and products and re-processing them into usable products and services instead of treating them as trash.
Recycle
The use of products or items for purposes they were not originally intended for.
Repurpose
One of the easiest environmentally friendly types of waste management in use; this involves the rejection of products and services that are known contributors to the pollution of the environment.
Refuse
Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000
RA 9003
An act providing foreign ecological solid waste management program creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties approaching funds therefore and other purposes.
RA 9003
Also known as waste prevention, is the practice of eliminating waste before it is created, or essentially, using less material to get the job done.
Source reduction
It incorporates the design, manufacture, purchase or use of materials and products to reduce the amount or toxicity of what is thrown away.
Source reduction
Refers to the reuse of products or materials.
Source reduction
The conversion of non-recyclable waste materials into useable heat, electricity, or fuel through a variety of processes, including combustion, gasification, pyrolization, anaerobic digestion, and landfill gas (LFG) recovery.
Waste-to-Energy (WTE)
Two types of technologies used generally for converting waste streams into energy.
- Thermal
- Biological.
Produces biogas and fertilizer, both of which can be reused without generating more waste.
Anaerobic digestion
This process is often used in farm and food processing to handle wet organic wastes, including livestock manure and food waste, as well as by wastewater treatment facilities.
Anaerobic digestion
Calls for the absence of air.
Anaerobic digestion
The end products of ________ are carbon dioxide and water.
Aerobic digestion
The end products of ________ are methane and carbon dioxide.
Anaerobic digestion
Collection of solid waste from the source of generation and transportation of waste to the final disposal site, but more often it involves transportation to communal collection bins or points, processing or transfer station.
Primary Collection
Collection of waste from communal bins, storage points or transfer station, and transportation to the final disposal site.
Secondary Collection
Approved receptacle for the storage of waste less than 1 cubic meter which is placed on the sides of private roads, by‐lanes etc. or on the premises of societies, apartments, bungalows, etc.
Community Bins / Communal System
A collection vehicle travels a regular route at an agreed frequency (two to three times per week or daily, to a set schedule depending on Municipal Solid waste management office).
Block Collection
This system of collection requires a regular service and a fairly precise schedule. It is important that the containers are of a standard type.
Curbside Collecion
In this system the householder does offers minimal participation in the collection process.
Door-to-Door Collection
An empty storage container (known as a drop-off box) is hauled to the storage site to replace the container that is full of waste, which is then hauled to the processing point, transfer station or disposal site.
Hauled container system
In this system, containers used for the storage of waste remain at the point of collection.
Stationary contair system
Wastes from the collection vehicles usually are emptied directly into the vehicle to be used to transport them to a place of final disposition.
Direct-discharge transfer station
Wastes are emptied either into a storage pit or onto a platform from which they are loaded into transport vehicles by various types of auxiliary equipment. The storage volume varies from about one-half to two days volume of wastes.
Storage-discharge transfer station
Perhaps the vehicle most commonly associated with the transportation of solid waste, _______ are used to collect waste and transport it to transfer stations, or directly to the landfills and recycling plants to be unloaded.
Dump trucks
Used to store large volumes of waste, which are durable and versatile, able to hold most waste types.
tanks
Vacuum-sealed to prevent contamination by moisture, dirt or germs. They are most often used to transport materials such as food, chemicals or even contaminated soil.
Pneumatic tankers
Are the place where the facilities for the waste separation are available.
Drop-off Centers
The residents carry their wastes to these centers and put their separated wastes in to the specific containers.
Drop-off Centers
Rights of all landowners whose properties connect to a running body of water.
Riparian Rights
Are the same as the Dropoff centers, but the residents should pay based on the amount of the wastes they transfer there.
Buy-back Centers
This method can control the generation of the waste at the sources to some extent.
Buy-back Centers
The segregation of different types of solid waste at the location where they are generated (a household or business).
Source separation
The most common reason for separating wastes at the source.
Recycling
It strongly supports source separation of waste streams wherever reasonably technically, environmentally and economically practicable.
Waste Authority
Takes in commingled recyclable materials that have been separated from municipal solid waste, usually by individual citizens or businesses before curbside trash collection.
Clean MRF
Takes in a broad stream of solid waste and separates out recyclable materials through manual and mechanical sorting.
Dirty MRF
MRFs should be sited in ____________, stable areas to reduce excavation cost and avoid problems of slope stability.
flat or gently sloping
The transfer of objects, in this case waste, into smaller particles.
Size Reduction
- Size reduction/all types of wastes
- Removal of large bulky items, removal of contaminants
Hammer Mills
- Size reduction, also used as bag breakers/all types of wastes
- Removal of large bulky items, removal of contaminants
Flail Mills
- Size reduction/all types of glass
- Removal of large bulky items, removal of contaminants v
Shear Shredder
- Size reduction, also used as bag breakers/all types of wastes
- Removal of all non-glass material
Glass Crushers
- Size reduction/yard trimming/all types of wood wastes
- Removal of large bulky items, removal of contaminants
Wood Grinders
- Separation of over- and under-sized material; trammel also used as bag breaker/all types of wastes
- Removal of large bulky items, removal of contaminants
Screening
- Size reduction/all types of wastes
- Separation of light combustible materials from air stream/prepared waste
Cyclone Separator
- Separation of light combustible materials from air stream
- Removal of large bulky items, large pieces of cardboard, shredding of waste
Density Separation (Air Classification)
- Separation of ferrous metal from commingled wastes
- Removal of large bulky items, large pieces of cardboard, shredding of waste
Magnetic Separation
- Compaction into bales/paper, cardboards, plastics, textiles, aluminum
- Are used to bale separate component
Balers
- Compaction into bales/paper, cardboards, plastics, textiles, aluminum
- Are used to bale separate component
Balers
- Compaction of flattening/aluminum and tin cans
- Removal of large bulky items
Can Crushers
- Separation of glass and aluminum
- Removal of large bulky items
Wet Separation
These functions take place by biological and chemical treatments. It means to reduce the volume and the weight of the waste requiring disposal to recover them by conversion products or energy.
Waste transformation
- Manual and/or Mechanical separation
- Individual components found in commingled municipal waste
Component separation (physical)
Application of energy in the form of a force or pressure
Volume Reduction (physical)
Application of energy in the form of shredding, grinding, or milling
Size Reduction (physical)
- Thermal oxidation
- Carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), other oxidation products, ash
Combustion (chemical)
- Destructive distillation
- A gas stream containing a variety of gases, tar, and/or oil, and a char
Pyrolysis (chemical)
- Starved air combustion
- A low-Btu gas, a char containing carbon and the inert originally in the fuel, and pyrolytic oil
Gasification (chemical)
- Aerobic biological conversion
- Compost (humus-like material used as a soil conditioner)
Aerobic Composting (biological)
- Anaerobic biological conversion
- Methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), trace gases, digested humus or sludge
Anaerobic Digestion (biological)
- Anaerobic biological conversion
-Methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), digested waste
Anaerobic Composting (biological)
Is a manifestation of the unsustainable consumption of natural resources by humankind, which has led to and continues to the depletion of natural capital and environmental degradation.
Municipal solid waste (MSW)
On a global scale, what percentage of MSW is landfilled?
70%
On a global scale, what percentage of MSW is recycled?
19%
On a global scale, what percentage of MSW is utilized in Waste-to-Energy (WtE)?
11%
On a global scale, 70% of MSW is landfilled, 19% is recycled, and only 11% is utilized in Waste-to-Energy (WtE) schemes this occurs due to logistical and economic issues such as __________ and ___________.
- primary fossil energy scarcity
- landfill volume restrictions.
They have a dual objective:
1. Reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills
2. Produce useful energy (heat and/or power)
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Plants
Provides a method for simultaneously addressing issues related to energy demand, waste management and emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), achieving a circular economy system (CES).
WtE supply chain
- Using less material in design and manufacture
- Keeping products or longer, re-use
- Using less hazardous material
Most preferred
Prevention
Checking, cleaning, repairing, refurbishing, whole items or spare parts.
More preferred
Preparing for re-use
- Turning waste into new substance or product
- Includes composting if it meets quality protocols
Preferred
Recycling
Includes anaerobic digestion, incineration with energy recovery, gasification and pyrolysis which produce energy (fuels, heat and power) and materials from waste: some backfilling.
Less preferred
Other Recovery
Lanfill and incineration without energy recovery.
Lest preferred
Disposal
Refers to anaerobic digestion, which consists of controlled decomposition by microbes to reduce the organic material.
Biochemical route
- Used in the treatment of waste with high percentages of biodegradable organic matter and high moisture content.
- Methane, fuel for electricity generation, steam and heat can be produced.
Biochemical processes
These technologies are the most economic and environmentally safe means of obtaining energy from MSW.
- Anaerobic digestion/fermentation
- Aerobic digestion
- Composting
- Landfill Gas Power (LFG).
Both biodegradable and nonbiodegradable matters contribute to the energy output.
Thermochemical conversion
Three types of thermochemical conversion processes, which are fundamental and necessary components of a comprehensive and integral urban solid waste management system.
- Incineration
- Gasification
- Pyrolysis
Include lower masses and volumes of waste, decrease in the space occupied by landfills, destruction of organic pollutants such as halogenated hydrocarbons, and decrease in the emission of GHGs due to anaerobic decomposition.
Thermochemical processes
The use of waste as a source of energy generates less environmental impacts than other conventional energy sources.
Thermochemical processes
Primary products: Heat
Product recovery: Boiler
Secondary products: Electricity
Incineration / Combustion
Primary products: Gas
Product recovery: Boiler, Gas Turbine, Engine, Synthesis
Secondary products: Electricity, Ammonia, Methanol, Chemicals
Gasification
Primary products: Gas, Tars & oils, Char
Product recovery: Boiler, Gas Turbine, Engine, Synthesis, Boiler, Upgrading, Extraction
Secondary products: Electricity, Ammonia, Methanol, Gasoline, Chemicals
Pyrolysis
A specific treatment that reduces the volume of waste and its level of dangerousness, selecting and concentrating, or destroying the potentially harmful substances.
Waste incineration
- Burns fuel by adding it to a continually stirred bin of heated sand-like material.
- This arrangement allows for extremely even heating of the fuel and high efficiency of combustion.
Fluidized Bed Combustion
- Also known as mass burn combustion
- It is by far the most utilized, as it can handle larger items and only oversized materials have to be crushed.
Grate Combustion
MSW is collected and delivered to the mass-burn facility.
- Transportation (MBP)
Waste is transferred to a storage pit or tipping floor.
- Storage (MBP)
A conveyor or crane transfers the waste to the hopper, which feeds the waste into the furnace.
- Combustion (MBP)
The heat from combustion is transferred to water in pipes, which turns into steam.
- Energy Recovery (MBP)
Used directly for processes or to generate electricity.
Steam
Dry and wet scrubbers and other air–pollution–control devices such as electrostatic precipitators and fabric filters, remove some of the acid gases and particulates from the exhaust.
- Emission Control (MBP)
The ash from burning and the residue from scrubbers and other pollution–control devices are disposed of in a landfill.
- Disposal of Residue (MBP)
A barrel-shaped instrument that is rotated around its axis when performing heat treatment.
Rotary furnace
Controlled biological process of turning organic waste into a soil conditioner.
Composting
Composting produces a nutrient-rich soil additive called ______.
Compost
Include grass, leaves, and tree and brush trimmings from residential, institutional and commercial sources.
Yard trimmings
Refers tofood that is fit for consumption but consciously discarded at the retail or consumption phases.
Food Wastes
The best leaves for composting are those ______ and ________.
- lower in lignin
- higher is calcium and nitrogen
Organic matter derived from the solid animal wastes, used to improve the soil quality and increase the yield of healthy crops.
Manure
Refers to the medium called substrate where mushrooms grow.
Mushroom compost
The most commonly used blends of the substrate include a mixture of wheat straw, and horse or chicken manure.
Mushroom compost
A process that relies on earthworms and microorganisms to help stabilize active organic materials and convert them to a valuable soil amendment and source of plant nutrients.
Vermicomposting
Reasons why compost?
- Save money
- Save resources
- Improve your soil
- Reduce your impact
It is the biological decomposition of biodegradable solid waste under controlled predominantly aerobic conditions to a state that is sufficiently stable for nuisance-free storage and handling and is satisfactorily matured for safe use in agriculture.
Composting
Regarded as a means to meet the mandatory waste diversion requirements, under RA 9003
Composting
Thermal conversion of carbon-based material into a mixture of combustible gases, called syngas.
Gasification
Used to convert solid materials such as coal, coke, biomass and solid waste into a gas, with average composition 15–30% CO, 12–40% H, and 4.5–9% CH4.
Gasification
The lower heating value (LHV) of syngas is between ________, depending on the oxidizing agent used in gasification, operating conditions, among other factors.
4 and 13MJ/Nm3
Thermal degradation of organic material in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere at approximately 400–900°C, producing gas, liquid and solid products.
Pyrolysis
The objective is to treat waste, reduce its volume and associated hazards, destroying potentially harmful substances.
Pyrolysis
Involve energy recovery from waste, in the form of heat, steam, electricity, or fuel (e.g., oil, char, and gas).
Pyrolysis
Consists of a set of processes in which microorganisms consume the organic matter present in waste, in the absence of oxygen.
Anaerobic digestion
- Heating method that can be used in both pyrolysis and gasification systems.
- This technology was developed for the metals industry in the late nineteenth century.
Plasma Arc Gasification
An anaerobic biological process through which microorganisms metabolize sugars and produce alcohols as a byproduct.
Fermentation
Subjects the wastes to high temperature (usually with superheated steam) under high pressure for a sufficient length of time to kill all the bacteria and pathogens that might be in the waste.
Autoclave
Where piles of waste materials or garbage get accumulated or are left at a certain site or location.
Dump
Also known as a tip, dump, rubbish dump, garbage dump, or dumping ground, is a site for the disposal of waste materials.
Landfill
An area of land that is used to dump garbage, which are then buried underground.
Landfill
They were created to dispose of household waste and other types of nonhazardous waste.
MSWLF
Where industrial waste is disposed of.
Industrial waste landfill
While any type of solid industrial waste can be brought to these landfills, they are most often used for construction debris disposal, which is why they are commonly known as _______.
C&D landfills
- It is specialized in hazardous waste disposal.
- The exact opposite of MSWLFs, these landfills do not collect solid waste; rather, they focus on materials that may be dangerous or destructive.
Hazardous waste landfill
Landfills which offera place for organic materials to naturally decompose.
Green waste landfill
Produces leachate.
Landfill
A liquid that forms when landfill waste breaks down and water filters through that waste and picks up toxins.
Leachate
Are generally part of a larger wastewater treatment system when used for industrial leachate handling.
Evaporation ponds
Provide natural treatment of industrial wastewater and landfill leachate.
Wetland Treatment
By volume, landfill gas typically contains 45% to 60% _____ and 40% to 60% _____.
- methane
- carbon dioxide
Occurs when organic waste is broken down by bacteria naturally present in the waste and in the soil used to cover the landfill.
Bacterial decomposition
Landfill gases can be created when certain wastes, particularly organic compounds, change from a liquid or a solid into a vapor.
Volatilization
Landfill gas, including NMOCs, can be created by the reactions of certain chemicals present in waste.
Chemical Reactions
Describes a gas’s natural tendency to reach a uniform concentration in a given space, whether it is a room or the earth’s atmosphere.
Diffusion
Gas movement is restricted by compacted refuse or soil covers and areas of low pressure in which gas movement is unrestricted.
Pressure
A measure of how well gases and liquids flow through connected spaces or pores in refuse and soils.
Permeability
This Act aims to integrate disaster risk reduction measures into climate change adaptation plans, development and poverty reduction programs.
R.A. 9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009)
“Institutionalizing the Inter-agency Committee on Environmental Health (IACEH)”
Executive Order No. 489 Series of 1991
“Providing for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed spaces”
Executive Order No. 26
“Providing for the Regulation and Control of the Use of Firecrackers and other Pyrotechnic Devices”
Executive Order No. 28
The process of planning, developing, and managing water resources, in terms of both water quantity and quality, across all water uses.
Water Resource Management (WRM)
To evaluate the available water resources for the water use?
Water Quantity
To supply the clean and safe surface and groundwater to the domestic water uses of urban and rural inhabitant and the drinking water of livestock and fishes at the overall river basin
Water Quality
