Classification of Geomembranes as Raw Material for Defects Reduction in the Manufacture of Biodigesters Using an Artificial Neuronal Network

Recently, biodigesters have attracted much attention as an efficient alternative for energy generation and organic waste treatment. The final performance of a biodigester depends heavily on the quality of its building process and the selection of its raw material: the geomembrane. The geomembrane is the coat that covers the biodigester used to control the migration of fluids. Therefore, the selection of the proper geomembrane, in terms of thickness, resistance, flexibility, etc., is fundamental. Unfortunately, there are no studies for the selection of geomembranes, and usually, it is an empirical process performed by workers based on their own experience. Such empirical selection might be inaccurate, limited, inconvenient, and even dangerous. In order to assist workers during the building process of a biodigester, this study proposes the use of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to classify a geomembrane as appropriate or not appropriate for the manufacture of a biodigester. The ANN is trained with a database built from qualitative and quantitative evaluations of different characteristics of geomembranes. The results indicate that the proposed ANN classifies the most suitable geomembranes with a 99.9% success rate. The proposed ANN becomes a reliable tool that contributes to the quality and safety of a biodigester.

Bioconversion of Cattle Manure by Hermetia Illucens Larvae: Mineral Content Changes in Manure and Larval Biomass.

Bioconversion by Hermetia illucens larvae is a novel technology for organic waste treatment and valorization. However, since the possible uses of products from this process are in agriculture and livestock, the bioconversion must guarantee the mineral quality of both the Hermetia illucens larvae frass and larval biomass. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the mineral content changes for both the larval biomass and larvae frass of Hermetia illucens after the manure bioconversion to determine their suitability as animal feed and organic fertilizer, respectively. Hermetia illucens larvae were put into a plastic box containing fresh cattle manure, and the control treatment with the same conditions without larvae was established. After the first pre-pupae were detected, frass and larvae were collected, and their mineral content was analyzed. At the end of the experiment, the larvae showed increases in some micro and macronutrients, especially calcium and manganese, increasing up to 2.6 and 22.6 times the initial concentration, respectively. The toxic elements concentration was increased in larval biomass, but these levels met the international legislation for animal feed. As a result, the mineral content in larval biomass revealed that Hermetia illucens could be potentially used as animal feed, which could be comparable with fish meal, and is probably better than soybean meal. However, the larvae frass could only be used as organic fertilizer in a Canadian context, with further treatment for decreasing the chromium content being necessary.

The effectiveness of biopore technology on infiltration rate and organic waste processing

An environmental problem that often occurs during the rainy season is standing rainwater. Therefore, some water catchment areas are needed to reduce standing water that will minimize environmental damage instead. In densely populated urban areas the available space for water infiltration is very limited. Using biopore infiltration holes’ technology which uses organic waste to increase the rate of water infiltration into the soil can be an alternative solution. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of biopore infiltration holes with organic waste treatment to increase the rate of infiltration of soil. The methodology used in this study is the Horton test, in which biopore infiltration holes are using PVC pipes with various diameter 3 in, 4 in, and 5 in. The measurement of the infiltration rate observed by decrease in water level every interval of 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min, 25 min, and 30 min continually. The results show that the effectiveness of biopore infiltration holes using PVC pipe with a diameter of 3 in, 4 in and 5 in are increasing 62.92%, 70.60%, and 54.11% respectively.

COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIC WASTE PROCESSING USING BSF MAGGOT BIOCONVERSION

Organic waste is the largest composition of waste generated by the people of Indonesia, which is around 50-60%. This type of waste, especially food waste, is easy to smell if it is stored for too long so that it has the potential to pollute the environment. On the other hand, organic waste has good nutrients that can be generated, including through BSF (Black Soldier Fly) maggot bioconversion treatment. The BSF maggot bioconversion method is a method of processing organic waste which is carried out by converting organic matter into other products that are useful and have added value by utilizing biological processes from microorganisms and enzymes. Organic waste treatment with this method is generally carried out on a community-based basis and is integrated with the development of agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry, because maggot cultivation produces commodities of economic value such as compost and maggot larvae. Compost contains very good nutrients so that it can be used for organic farming and maggot contains high protein that can be used for animal feed and fisheries. The implementation of this program was piloted in the boarding school community, namely the Az-Zakaria Islamic Boarding School which is managed by the Az-Zakaria Islamic Education Foundation (YPI) in Sindangbarang Village, Jalaksana District, Kuningan Regency. The result of this implementation is the formation of a new group of entrepreneurs engaged in the cultivation and utilization of BSF maggots.

Bioaerosol Emissions during Organic Waste Treatment for Biopolymer Production: A Case Study

Environmentally sustainable methods of waste disposal are a strategic priority. For organic waste management and innovative biological treatments present advantageous opportunities, although organic waste treatment also includes environmental drawbacks, such as bioaerosol production. This study aims to evaluate bioaerosol spread during an innovative experimental treatment. The process consists of two anaerobic steps: acidogenesis, which includes polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulation, followed by methanogenesis. Bioaerosol, PM10, and endotoxin concentrations were measured at three sampling points during different campaigns to evaluate: (1) the background levels, (2) the contamination produced in the pre-treatment stage, and (3) the residual contamination of the outgoing digested sludge. Environmental PM10 seemed to be generally quite contained, while the endotoxin determination was close to 90 EU/m3. Significant microbial concentrations were detected during the loading of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (fungi > 1300 CFU/m3, Bacillus genus (≈103 CFU/m3), higher Clostridium spp. and opportunistic human pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae), suggesting a significant contamination level. Such results are useful for hazard identification in the risk assessment of innovative processes, as they reveal contaminants potentially harmful to both workers’ health and the environment.

A Review of the State of the Art of Biomethane Production: Recent Advancements and Integration of Renewable Energies

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a well-established process that is becoming increasingly popular, especially as a technology for organic waste treatment; the process produces biogas, which can be upgraded to biomethane, which can be used in the transport sector or injected into the natural gas grid. Considering the sensitivity of Anaerobic Digestion to several process parameters, mathematical modeling and numerical simulations can be useful to improve both design and control of the process. Therefore, several different modeling approaches were presented in the literature, aiming at providing suitable tools for the design and simulation of these systems. The purpose of this study is to analyze the recent advancements in the biomethane production from different points of view. Special attention is paid to the integration of this technology with additional renewable energy sources, such as solar, geothermal and wind, aimed at achieving a fully renewable biomethane production. In this case, auxiliary heat may be provided by solar thermal or geothermal energy, while wind or photovoltaic plants can provide auxiliary electricity. Recent advancements in plants design, biomethane production and mathematical modeling are shown in the paper, and the main challenges that these fields must face with are discussed. Considering the increasing interest of industries, public policy makers and researchers in this field, the efficiency and profitability such hybrid renewable solutions for biomethane production are expected to significantly improve in the next future, provided that suitable subsidies and funding policies are implemented to support their development.

Processing of biomethane for electricity production as a sustainable way to treat municipal organic solid waste: A case study of the Corumbataí river basin region

This study proposed action scenarios for urban solid waste management in six municipalities in the Corumbataí River Basin. The operating scenarios were designed for organic waste treatment and for the shared disposal of urban solid waste. Six municipalities were studied, five of which had less than 30,000 inhabitants (Analândia, Charqueada, Corumbataí, Ipeúna, and Santa Gertrudes). In addition, Rio Claro had 199,000 inhabitants. Thus, the transport and transshipment stages, general infrastructure, and final disposal in landfills were analyzed. Further, the three scenarios for organic waste treatment were conducted separately. The items and the cost of implementation were estimated for decentralized composting, centralized composting, and biomethanization of waste with electricity recovery. The biomethanization scenario included the commercialization of electricity, so it generated revenues that decreased costs. This cost reduction was especially notable in the last years of the project when the goals of diversion of organic waste through selective collection were higher. The results suggested that the investigated scenarios could improve organic waste treatment and that the biomethanization scenario with electricity generation presented lower average costs per inhabitant than the centralized and decentralized composting scenarios.

A study on the potential for sustainable waste management in the Greater Toronto Area

Performance of the residential waste management practices in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) was studied. The study encompassed identification of waste management practices and analysis of data concerning different management options followed by the Regional Municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel, York and the City of Toronto during 2002 to 2008. Historically, wastes from the GTA were disposed of in the landfills. Majority wastes [sic] from the GTA were exported to Michigan under a contract which is going to be expired [sic] at the end of 2010. Residents already [sic] opposed to accept new landfills. Toxic emissions from the incinerators are also of great concern to them. Integrated waste management system comprising source reduction, recycling and reuse, diversion through green bin SSO program and the aerobic/anaerobic processing of organic waste treatment can be considered to succeed in achieving the most effective and sustainable solution to the residential waste management problems in the GTA.

A study on the potential for sustainable waste management in the Greater Toronto Area

Performance of the residential waste management practices in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) was studied. The study encompassed identification of waste management practices and analysis of data concerning different management options followed by the Regional Municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel, York and the City of Toronto during 2002 to 2008. Historically, wastes from the GTA were disposed of in the landfills. Majority wastes [sic] from the GTA were exported to Michigan under a contract which is going to be expired [sic] at the end of 2010. Residents already [sic] opposed to accept new landfills. Toxic emissions from the incinerators are also of great concern to them. Integrated waste management system comprising source reduction, recycling and reuse, diversion through green bin SSO program and the aerobic/anaerobic processing of organic waste treatment can be considered to succeed in achieving the most effective and sustainable solution to the residential waste management problems in the GTA.

Redesigning Clinical Pathway of Elective Caesarean Section Using Activity-Based-Costing Reduce Exposure to COVID-19

This research objective is to discover non-value-added activities in the elective cesarean section (CS) clinical pathway (CP) through cost analysis using the ABC method and redesign elective CS CP at W Hospital. Activity-Based Costing (ABC) is an accounting system designed through activity management. The ABC system identifies all functions in the service process chain, calculates the activity costs, and assigns costs to cost objects, such as activity-based service products. This calculation method emphasizes the service process. The ABC method is seen as a unit cost calculation system that is suitable for hospitals. CP costing using the ABC method is a cost analysis using CP as the basis for service activities. The CP of Elective CS consists of various activities. This study used a case study approach. The eight informants were the head of finance, the head of medical services and support, one ob-gyn specialists, one anesthetist specialists, one outpatient installation nurse, one midwife, one inpatient installation midwives, and one nutritionist. The COVID-19 changed the procedures and influenced the activities of CS CP. The analyses were conducted using the ABC method and data triangulation. Non-value-added activities found were clinical assessment in the emergency room (ER), laboratory activities, and organic waste treatment. Non-value-added found in clinical assessment in the ER, laboratory examinations, and organic waste treatment. CP CS redesign consists of activities of admission, pre-operation, and post-operation, surgery, pharmacy, nutrition, medical records, laundry, billing, logistics, and management administration. The researchers suggest that W hospital should redesign elective CS CP activities to eliminate non-value-added activities.