Coal Mining Energy Utilization and Environmental Impact Management Strategy Using the LCA Method

Coal mining processing and the clearing of land require that materials which have been removed be carefully inspected before it is reused. In this study, the boundary of our model starts with excavation and ends with material recovery. Therefore, further processing of the material to be recovered (recycling, reprocessing) is excluded from the model. In this study, the topsoil layer was collected in three pits numbered one, two, and three, from January to December 2020. The use of the LCA method gives results after the inventory data is carried out, which results in global warming. The results showed material removal unit process generated a total CO2 value of 32.44 kg CO2- eq.tonne-1 of coal, and the coal mining unit process generated a total CO2 value of 255.99 kg CO2- eq.tonne-1 of coal, for the impact of global warming. When compared to the material removal process, the results of the coal mining unit process show the highest global warming impact. Coal processing gives a yield of 25.61 kg CO2- eq.tonne-1 of coal. So that the resulting impact as a whole is 314 kg CO2- eq.tonne-1 of coal. The total emissions resulting from B30 fuel (314 kg CO2- eq.tonne-1 of coal) are smaller than B20 fuel (320 kg CO2- eq.tonne-1 of coal), 6 kg CO2-eq.tonne-1 of coal. The coal mining process includes fuel used in coal extraction, coal hauling, coal stockpiling, blasting, water pumps, and water tracks.

Sewage sludge management at the central wastewater treatment plant Ljubljana

The treated sewage sludge under consideration is a hygienized biodegradable waste in the form of pellets. It can be used as a fertilizer, but only for spreading on non-agricultural land. Regarding “waste to energy” philosophy, the specification of pellets as an alternative solid fuel according to EN 15359 resulted in “NCV4; Cl1; Hg3-4” class. The major problem regarding the final pellets utilization is the lack of facilities for energy and material recovery from this type of waste in Slovenia. According to the newest legislation regarding the waste management, a product status for residues generated in combustion and pyrolysis of pellets on a laboratory and semi-pilot scale was not achieved. The holistic approach to final pellets utilization was studied and regarding the full-scale level of self-sufficient sewage sludge management in Slovenia, some legislative provisions become significant obstacles.

HOW CAN BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING SUPPORT THE INCREASED RECYCLING OF LUMINAIRES AND LIGHT SOURCES

Reducing waste from luminaire and light source products has become a core priority for practice and research. This has to do with luminaires frequently ending up in landfills and that scarce rare earth elements are seldomly recovered. This paper explores how the use of modern information systems, like Building Information Modelling (BIM), in conjunction with databases, can contribute to increasing the recycling rates of light sources and luminaires. Although there is a wealth of studies on BIM and life-cycle assessments (LCA), there is a scarcity of studies exploring the interface of BIM, LCA and lighting. Based on a review of the literature and interviews with subject matter experts, this paper contributes an early understanding how relevant environmental data about luminaires can be systematically stored and transmitted throughout the life cycle of a project. Findings indicate that the latest generation of BIM classification structures allows for manufacturers and material suppliers to make their product data readily available for construction design teams. Making this data available in a structured digital way, allows for informed environmental decision-making throughout the life cycle of a building project aiding recycling rates and material recovery.

A Techno-Economic Analysis of Sustainable Material Recovery Facilities: The Case of Al-Karak Solid Waste Sorting Plant, Jordan

Solid waste sorting facilities are constructed and operated to properly manage solid waste for both material and energy recovery. This paper investigates the possible technical and economic performance of the Al-Karak solid waste sorting plant in order to achieve financial sustainability and increase the profits that return on the plant to cover its operating costs. A standard procedure was followed to quantify and characterize the input materials of commercial solid waste by determining the recyclable materials in the sorting products. Thus, possible different equipment and material flows through the plant were proposed. An economic model was used in order to know the feasibility of the proposed options of the plant according to three economic factors, which are net present worth (NPW), return on investment (ROI), and payback period values. The results inferred that the characterization of the input materials contains a high portion of recyclable materials of paper, cardboard, plastic, and metals, which accounted for 63%. In this case, the mass of rejected waste to be landfilled was 9%. Results for the proposed options showed that the economic analysis is feasible when working loads on three and two shifts with ROI values of 4.4 and 3.5 with a payback period of the initial cost in 2 and 3 years, respectively. Working load on one shift was not feasible, which resulted in an ROI value of less than 2 and a payback period larger than 5 years. This paper recommended operating the sorting plant at a higher input feed with a working load on three shifts daily to ensure a maximum profit and to reduce the amount of commercial solid waste prior to landfilling through the concept of sorting and recycling.

Management of Urban Waters with Nature-Based Solutions in Circular Cities—Exemplified through Seven Urban Circularity Challenges

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have been proven to effectively mitigate and solve resource depletion and climate-related challenges in urban areas. The COST (Cooperation in Science and Technology) Action CA17133 entitled “Implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) for building a resourceful circular city” has established seven urban circularity challenges (UCC) that can be addressed effectively with NBS. This paper presents the outcomes of five elucidation workshops with more than 20 European experts from different backgrounds. These international workshops were used to examine the effectiveness of NBS to address UCC and foster NBS implementation towards circular urban water management. A major outcome was the identification of the two most relevant challenges for water resources in urban areas: ‘Restoring and maintaining the water cycle’ (UCC1) and ‘Water and waste treatment, recovery, and reuse’ (UCC2). s Moreover, significant synergies with ‘Nutrient recovery and reuse’, ‘Material recovery and reuse’, ‘Food and biomass production’, ‘Energy efficiency and recovery’, and ‘Building system recovery’ were identified. Additionally, the paper presents real-life case studies to demonstrate how different NBS and supporting units can contribute to the UCC. Finally, a case-based semi-quantitative assessment of the presented NBS was performed. Most notably, this paper identifies the most typically employed NBS that enable processes for UCC1 and UCC2. While current consensus is well established by experts in individual NBS, we presently highlight the potential to address UCC by combining different NBS and synergize enabling processes. This study presents a new paradigm and aims to enhance awareness on the ability of NBS to solve multiple urban circularity issues.

Performance evaluation of waste management in MRF-3R (case study Sukoharjo District)

Independent waste management system based on the community with the implementation of Material Recovery Facilities with reduce, reuse, recycle principles (MRF 3R) has been widely applied in various places, including Sukoharjo District. Based on data from DLH Sukoharjo District, currently in Sukoharjo District there are 6 MRF-3R. The current condition of MRF-3R still cannot be monitored optimally, so the performance of each MRF-3R is not yet known. This study aims to evaluate the performance of waste management in MRF-3R by taking a case study in Sukoharjo District. This research was conducted based on the 2017 MRF-3R Technical Guidelines. This study will evaluate aspects of supporting regulatory products and technical technology. Based on evaluation results of supporting regulatory product aspects, the final value for 5 MRF-3R can be categorized as medium. Meanwhile, evaluation results of technical and technology aspects of each MRF-3R have a different categorization result. Following are the technical and technology evaluation results from each MRF-3R, MRF-3R Gonilan is categorized as a medium, MRF-3R Gumpang is categorized as not good, MRF-3R Ngabeyan is categorized as good, MRF-3R Kwarasan is categorized as not good, and MRF-3R Sanggrahan is categorized as medium.

Adapting residential envelope assemblies for full circularity

Residential external wall assemblies are among the key contributors to embodied carbon emissions in the building industry. Their design, however, is still largely oriented towards linear consumption trajectories of extraction-use-waste. Within this context, this paper investigates how established material recovery potential assessment metrics could be used to inform design decisions aimed at improving circularity in buildings. A redesign of a typical timber frame assembly is presented and its material recovery performance is compared to standard systems. Results show a 35%-47% improvement in material recovery potential.

Environmental Assessment of Recyclable Waste Valorization in United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has one of the largest per capita carbon footprints and solid waste generation rates in the world. In preparation for the post-oil future, the UAE has planned to diversify its energy mix with renewable sources. Waste valorization, particularly material and energy recovery (MER), presents a promising solution for the waste and energy challenges of the future. It is thus of great importance to ensure that the shift to MER systems lead to a concomitant positive impact on the environment. This research aims to assess the environmental impacts of selected waste management strategies incorporating MER systems in the UAE. The study is focused on the valorization of recyclable wastes through incinerators and/or material recovery facilities (MRFs) compared to existing landfill practices. The mass burn strategy increased the energy produced by 88% compared to the combined MER strategy due to the high energy yield of recyclables. It was found that combining energy and material recovery was the optimum environmental option in terms of global warming and abiotic depletion. The mass burn strategy had a favourable positive impact on freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity and human toxicity, yet it resulted in the highest acidification potential (ACP) and eutrophication potential (ETP). On the other hand, the MRF strategy achieved positive ACP and ETP impacts. Overall, all MER-based strategies achieved better environmental performance compared to existing landfilling practices