ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION ( Keith R. Orcia )

Hazardous waste is waste that has substantial or potential threats to public health or the
environment.
HAZARDOUS WASTES are poisonous byproducts of manufacturing, farming, city septic
systems, construction, automotive garages, laboratories, hospitals, and other industries. The waste
may be liquid, solid, or sludge and contain chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, dangerous
pathogens, or other toxins. Even households generate hazardous waste from items such as
batteries, used computer equipment, and leftover paints or pesticides
Hazardous wastes may be found in different physical states such as gaseous, liquids, or solids. A
hazardous waste is a special type of waste because it cannot be disposed of by common means like
other by-products of our everyday lives. Depending on the physical state of the waste, treatment
and solidification processes might be required.
Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known or tested to exhibit one or more of
the following hazardous traits:
Ignitability
Flammable materials are those that ignite more easily than other materials, whereas those that are
harder to ignite or burn less vigorously are combustible.
Ignitable liquids: acetone, acetonitrile, benzene, hexane, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, toluene,
xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, lacquer thinner.
Ignitable compressed gases: hydrogen, methane, acetylene, propane, butane, spray-paint cans.
Oxidizers: ammonium persulfate, sodium nitrate, potassium permanganate, sodium perchlorate,
hydrogen peroxide (aqueous solution greater than or equal to 8%), potassium peroxide.
Reactivity
A waste is considered reactive if it: Explodes or reacts violently when exposed to water or under
normal handling conditions.
Examples:
Sodium metal, potassium metal, lithium metal, concentrated sulfuric acid, picric acid,
trinitrobenzene, metal azides, amides, benzoyl peroxide.
Corrosivity
Corrosive wastes are acidic or alkaline (basic) wastes that can readily corrode or dissolve materials
they come into contact with.
Examples:
Corrosive aqueous liquids: hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid, acetic acid,
sodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxide solution.
Toxicity
Toxic waste is any unwanted material in all forms that can cause harm (e.g. by being inhaled,
swallowed, or absorbed through the skin).
Examples:
Waste containing the following metals or inorganics above specific limits: antimony, arsenic,
barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel,
selenium, silver, thallium, vanadium, zinc, asbestos, fluorides.
Waste containing the following organic constituents above constituent-specific limits: benzene,
carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, chloroform, cresols, 1,2-dichloroethane, methyl ethyl ketone,
nitrobenzene, pyridine, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, PCBs.
Toxic and Hazardous waste treatment:
Chemical
Chemical Oxidation is a process involving the transfer of electrons from an oxidizing
reagent to the chemical species being oxidized
Biological
A land treatment is a process by which land is treated, usually through bioremediation
processes, to reduce the toxicity of the soil.
Thermal
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic
substances contained in waste materials
Physical
Screening is a process for removing particles from waste streams, and it is used to protect
downstream pre-treatment processes.

Chemical Treatment of Hazardous Wastes ( Harly B. Rabaya)

1.) Chemical Oxidation and reduction:

Reduction/oxidation (Redox) reactions chemically convert hazardous contaminants to
less toxic compounds that are less mobile. Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons from
one compound to another. One compound is oxidized (loses electrons) and one is reduced (gains
electrons). Oxidizing agents most commonly used for treatment of hazardous contaminants
are ozone, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide. The reducing agents
most commonly used for treatment of hazardous waste are ferrous sulfate, sodium bisulfite, and
sodium hydrosulfite.

Chemical redox has been commonly used to treat residual contaminants in wastewater systems.
It is also used to treat pumped groundwater. The most common applications of chemical reduction
are reducing chromium (VI) to chromium (III) in preparation for precipitation, oxidizing arsenic
to reduce toxicity and improve removal by subsequent processes, and oxidizing cyanide. It is also
used to treat metals in soils. The technology is less effective against non-
chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs),
fuel hydrocarbons, and pesticides.

Chemical redox is commercial technology used for disinfection of drinking water and
wastewater. It is a common treatment for cyanide (oxidation) and chromium (reduction of
hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium prior to precipitation) wastes.

2.) Acid/Base Neutralization:

Hazardous wastes are categorized as corrosive when their solution pH is less than 2 or more
than 12.5. Such wastes can be chemically neutralized. Generally acidic wastes are neutralized with
slaked lime [Ca (OH)2] in a continuously stirred chemical reactor. The rate of addition of lime is
controlled by feedback control system which monitors pH during addition. Lime is least expensive
and is widely used for treating acidic wastes. Since the solubility of lime in water is limited,
solution of excess lime does not reach extremely high pH values. Alkaline wastes may be
neutralized by adding Sulphuric acid. It is a relatively inexpensive acid. For some applications
acetic acid is preferable since it is nontoxic and biodegradable.
Alkaline wastes can also be neutralized by bubbling gaseous carbon dioxide forming carbonic
acid. The advantage of CO2 is that it is often readily available in the exhaust gas from any
combustion process at the treatment site. Many waste treatment processes like oxidation/reduction,
adsorption, wet air oxidation, ion-exchange, stripping and biochemical treatment require prior pH
adjustment.
3.) Chemical precipitation:
This technique can be applied to almost any liquid waste stream containing a precipitable
hazardous constituent. By properly adjusting pH, the solubility of toxic metals can be decreased,
leading to the formation of a precipitate that can be removed by settling and filtration.
4.) Ion exchange:
Ion exchange is judged to have some potential for the application of interest in situations where
it is necessary to remove dissolved inorganic species. However other competing processes -
precipitation, flocculation and sedimentation - are broadly applicable to mixed waste streams
containing suspended solids and a spectrum of organic and inorganic species. These competing
processes also usually are more economical. The use of ion exchange is therefore limited to
situations where polishing step was required to remove an inorganic constituent that could not be
reduced to satisfactory levels by preceding treatment processes.
 Biological Treatment of Hazardous Wastes ( John Michael S. Bolandres )

Land Farming

Land Farming is a bioremediation technology. Contaminated soils are mixed with soil
amendments such as soil bulking agents and nutrients, and then they are tilled into the earth. The
material is periodically tilled for aeration. Contaminants are degraded, transformed, and
immobilized by microbiological processes and by oxidation. Soil conditions are controlled to
optimize the rate of contaminant degradation. Moisture content, frequency of aeration, and pH are
all conditions that may be controlled. Land Farming differs from composting because it actually
incorporates contaminated soil into soil that is uncontaminated. Composting also generally takes
place in aboveground piles.

Limitations and Concerns

A land farm must be managed properly to prevent both on-site and off-site problems with
ground water, surface water, air, and food chain contamination. Runoff collection facilities must
be constructed and monitored. The possible leaching of contaminants from the contaminated soil
into the ground and groundwater is a major concern.

Land Farming incorporates contaminated soil into soil that is uncontaminated, creating a
larger volume of contaminated material. Therefore, the rate at which contaminants are degraded
must be balanced with the potential of creating a larger body of contamination.

Land farms must not be used to dilute contaminants. If it cannot be shown that
biodegradation occurs for all contaminants of concern, land farming should not be used.

Conditions affecting biological degradation of contaminants (e.g., temperature, and

rainfall) are largely uncontrolled, possibly increasing the time to complete remediation.

Inorganic contaminants will not be biodegraded, but they may be immobilized.

If volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are
present, off-gas (i.e., air emissions) control may be required.

Dust control is an important consideration, especially during tilling operations. Many waste
constituents may be banned by regulation from being applied to soil. The depth of treatment is
limited to the depth of achievable tilling (normally 18 inches).

A large amount of space is required.

Applicability

Land farming has been proven most successful in treating petroleum hydrocarbons and
other less volatile, biodegradable contaminants. The more chlorinated or nitrated the compound,
the more difficult it is to degrade. Many mixed products and wastes include some volatile
components that transfer to the atmosphere before they can be degraded. Contaminants that have
been successfully treated include diesel fuel, No. 2 and No. 6 fuel oils, JP-5 jet fuel, oily sludge,
wood-preserving wastes such as pentachlorophenol (PCP), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs), and creosote), and certain pesticides.

Biological wastewater treatment harnesses the action of bacteria and other microorganisms
to clean water

Biological treatments rely on bacteria, nematodes, or other small organisms to break down
organic wastes using normal cellular processes. Wastewater typically contains a buffet of organic
matter, such as garbage, wastes, and partially digested foods. It may also contain pathogenic
organisms, heavy metals, and toxins.

The goal of biological wastewater treatment is to create a system in which the results of
decomposition are easily collected for proper disposal. Scientists have been able to control and
refine both aerobic and anaerobic biological processes to achieve the optimal removal of organic
substances from wastewater.

Aerobic Wastewater Treatment

Aerobic wastewater treatment processes include treatments such as activated sludge

process, oxidation ditches, trickling filters, lagoon-based treatments, and aerobic digestion.
Diffused aeration systems may be used to maximize oxygen transfer and minimize odors as the
wastewater is treated. Aeration provides oxygen to the helpful bacteria and other organisms as they
decompose organic substances in the wastewater.

Anaerobic Treatment

By contrast, anaerobic treatment uses bacteria to help organic material deteriorate in an

oxygen-free environment. Lagoons and septic tanks may use anaerobic processes. The best-known
anaerobic treatment is anaerobic digestion, which is used for treating food and beverage
manufacturing effluents, as well as municipal wastewater, chemical effluent, and agricultural
waste.

THERMAL TREATMENT ( Rey Anthon A. Sarmiento )

INTRODUCTION:
 Thermal incineration is a waste treatment technology that uses high-temperature to reduce
the volume or toxicity of hazardous wastes by exposing them to high temperatures and it
uses oxidation. When organic chemical wastes are subjected to temperatures of 800-
3000°F (430-1700°C), they break down into simpler and less toxic forms.
Systems that are generally considered to be thermal treatment include:

THERMAL TREATMENT: INCINERATION

 A waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic or hazardous substances
contained in waste materials. Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash,
flue gas and heat. The ash is mostly formed by the inorganic constituents of the waste and
may take the form of solid lumps or particulates carried by the flue gas. The flue gases
must be cleaned of gaseous and particulate pollutants before they are dispersed into the
atmosphere. In some cases, the heat generated by incineration can be used to generate
electric power.

OBJECTIVES OF INCINERATION:
1. Volume Reduction 3. Recovery of energy from waste
2. Stabilization of waste 4. Sterilization of waste

THERMAL TREATMENT: PYROLYSIS

 Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of waste without any input of oxygen. It takes place
at relatively low temperatures (450-800 °C) and is an endothermic process. The word
Pyrolysis from the Greek-derived elements pyro "fire" and lysis "separating".
 Pyrolysis of organic substances produce gas and liquid products and leaves solid residue
richer in carbon content, char.
 Pyrolysis is also used heavily in the chemical industry for example to produce charcoal,
activated carbon, methanol and other chemicals.
 Physical Treatments for Hazardous Waste ( Rolando C. Tapleras )

Physical treatment techniques are often used to separate the materials within the waste stream so
that they can be reused or detoxified by chemical or biological treatment or destroyed by high-
temperature incineration.
1.Screening
is a process for removing particles from waste streams, and it is used to protect downstream pre-
treatment processes.
2.Sedimentation
is a process for removing suspended solid particles from a waste stream. Sedimentation is usually
accomplished by providing sufficient time and space in special tanks or holding ponds for settling.
3. Flotation
is a process for removing solids from liquids by floating the particles to the surface by using tiny
air bubbles. Flotation is useful for removing particles too small to be removed by sedimentation.
4. Filtration
is a process for separating liquids and solids by using various types of porous materials. There are
many types of filters designed to achieve various levels of separation.
5. Adsorption
is a process for removing low concentrations of organic materials on the surface of a porous
material, usually activated carbon. The carbon is replaced and regenerated with heat or a suitable
solvent when its capacity to attract organic substances is reduced.
6. Reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis separates components in a liquid stream by applying external pressure to one side
of a membrane so that solvent will flow in the opposite direction.
7. Evaporation
Evaporation is a process for concentrating non-volatile solids in a solution by boiling off the liquid
portion of the waste stream. Evaporation units are often operated under some degree of vacuum to
lower the heat required to boil the solution.
8. Distillation
Distillation is a process for separating liquids with different boiling points. The mixed-liquid
stream is exposed to increasing amounts of heat, and the various components of the mixture are
vapourised and recovered. The vapour may be recovered and re-boiled several times to effect a
complete separation of components.
9. Centrifugation
Centrifugation is a process for separating solid and liquid components of a waste stream by rapidly
rotating a mixture of solids and liquids inside a vessel. Centrifugation is most often used to dewater
sludges.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazardous_waste
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/toxic-waste/
https://www2.lbl.gov/ehs/waste/wm_pub_3092_ch1.shtml
http://www.cpeo.org/techtree/ttdescript/redoxid.htm
https://nptel.ac.in>courses>Pdfs
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123814753100270
http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?pid=S0120-
56092010000200009&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en
http://www.cpeo.org/techtree/ttdescript/lanfarm.htm
https://www.fluencecorp.com/what-is-biological-wastewater-treatment/
http://www.environmentalpollution.in/waste-management/hazardous-waste/how-to-treat-
hazardous-waste-physical-chemical-and-biological-treatment/6741