APPLICATION OF CLEANER PRODUCTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN MEZCAUCHOS SAS

Mezcauchos S.A.S, is a medium-sized manufacturing company with negative environmental impacts in the production of rubber soles. As part of their corporate responsibility, it requires alternatives for an environmental management, through a cleaner production. The environmental impacts are generated in the manufacturing process and are caused by many reasons: raw material waste, water expenditure for the drying process, strong odours in the injection and painting processes. The polyurethane waste is generated in different compositions, as well as the high rates of defective products that must be reprocessed, which brings with it a loss of time, high costs, and unnecessary material expenses, delay of the production process and decreases the profitability. In order to reduce these negative environmental impacts, were developed cleaner production tools that involves alternative solutions like the use of recycling water, the replacement of faucets and flushometers in bathrooms, the maintenance of pipes and connections to the hydraulic network. In addition, the company installed electronic ballasts (T8), 32 W lamps, a RYMEBUS inverter and, movement sensors in bathrooms and corridors. As recommendations that not are installed jet, were found that the company need to establish an appropriate route for the transport and separation of hazardous waste, the installation of containers for disposal, training the personnel for source separation practices. The purchase of a WINTECH injection machine is required to reduce the impact of noise. The internal rate of return (IRR) for the proposed alternatives is 26 % with an annual effective discount rate of 12 %. Copyright © 2018, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.0000-0002-1549-3819Jeniffer.Gracia@[email protected]

Environmental assessment of the mineral extraction and non-renewable energy due to dense graded hot mix and warm mix asphalts processes

This paper describes the assessment of the use of resources such as mineral extraction and non-renewable energy of a dense graded hot mix asphalt production in a facility located in Colombia, considering four different scenarios for comparison purposes; the reference scenario is the conventional hot mix asphalt process, and the other three scenarios assess the impact of adding three different additives that help lowering the mixing temperatures. These additives allow for lower temperatures during the mixing and laying processes, and this technology is known as warm mix asphalt process. The inventory analysis of the life cycle was done by gathering and calculating information related to the inputs and outputs of the process, in order to identify the hypothesis and limits of the study. Data files of the company were consulted, from January 2011 to June 2012. Based on the inputs and outputs, mass and energy balances were verified, in order to establish the goals and scope for the assessment. The units used for the mass balances were kg/month, and the units for energy balance were MJ/month. Based on this information, the process was quantitatively described. Each units of the process was associated to relevant data, while some stages of the process were excluded of this analysis. Specialized software for Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and several databases were used to analyze the process stages that involve most of the time and effort of the dense graded hot mix asphalt. Some limitations related to the data gathering were defined; the data excluded from this study were associated to the exploitation and transport of aggregates from the source to the plant, the crude oil refining for producing asphalt binder, and its transportation from the refinery to the mixing plant. Copyright © 2015, AIDIC [email protected]

Sustainability evaluation of sugarcane bagasse valorization alternatives in valle del cauca - Colombia

In the present paper, an evaluation methodology of the sustainability was proposed in order to select the best way to value the sugarcane bagasse, taking into account the environmental management of the process, economic indexes, and social relevant aspects. To evaluate the environmental dimension, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and the LCA specialized software SIMAPRO was used. Six Impact categories were evaluated: acidification (Kg eq SO2), eutrophication (Kg eq PO4), climatic change (Kg eq CO2), photochemical oxidation (Kg eq C2H4), ozone layer depletion (Kg eq CFC-11) and abiotic damage (Kg eq Sb). It was found that in the case of co-generation use of sugarcane bagasse, the unitary process that generates greater environmental impact is the boiler and in the case of paper production, it’s the pulp bleaching. The economic dimension was evaluated using the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) methodology. This methodology analyzes the economic aspects through the life cycle of the sugar cane bagasse. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) was selected as the economic indicator, the value obtained for this indicator for the cogeneration process was 0,355 and for the paper production process 1,816. Both results show economic cost-effectiveness. A stakeholder analysis was made in order to evaluate the social dimension. For each process, the power and interest criteria were evaluated. It was found that in the process of cogeneration, power and interest levels are 4 and 5,4 out of 10 respectively, and in the process of paper, power level was 3,1 and interest 5,2 out of 10. Finally, the results of the three dimensions were integrated using the Analytical Hierarchy Process methodology (AHP): Environmental dimension obtained with LCA, Economic dimension evaluated with LCC and social dimension calculated with stakeholder analysis. The main conclusion is that the most sustainable use of sugarcane bagasse is the raw material in the paper industry. Some sustainability recommendations were given for both processes evaluated. Copyright © 2018, AIDIC Servizi [email protected]

Influence of the use of Co-Substrates on the anaerobic Co-Digestion of municipal solid waste, cocoa industry waste and bottled beverage industry waste

Colombia generates large quantities of organic waste that are not used or deposited in the correct way. Therefore, this project seeks to harness the organic load of these residues using anaerobic co-digestion, which is a biological process that allows the recovery and the biochemical potential of methane (BPM) from waste, thus, achieving adequate treatment for the control of environmental pollution. In this project, three residues were evaluated: Municipal solid waste (MSW), cocoa industry waste (CIW) and bottled beverage industry waste (BBIW). To these residues, a physical-chemical characterization was realized prior to the BMP test, in which the following was determined: values of solid volatile particles, total solids, organic matter and nitrogen Kjeldahl. With the characterization obtained, we prepared the mixtures in which the carbon nitrogen (C/N) ratio was varied in three levels: 25, 35 and 45. The number of grams of volatile solids (gVS) was also varied in three levels: 0.5, 1.25 and 2. Likewise, the co-substrate was varied in two: sewage sludge and pig manure. It was found that mixtures having a C/N of 35 grams of volatile solids of 0.5 and using as co-substrate the pig manure generate a greater production of methane (364 mLCH4/gSV). The anaerobic co-digestion technique allows the efficient development of the process due to the synergistic behavior of the co-substrates used, which compensate for the shortcomings that each presents when performing the process separately. It is also important to mention that the mixtures that have cocoa industry waste and bottled beverage industry waste increase the biochemical potential of methane. Although this may change when the bottled beverage industry waste is replaced with the municipal solid waste since the composition is the same. Copyright © 2018, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.0000-0002-1549-3819angelica.santisn@[email protected]

Amount of carbon store in the species ficus soatensis and tecoma stans established in the locality of puente aranda, bogotá d.C.

The present study contributes to the mitigation and adaptation of climate change in the city of Bogotá, through of the valuation of carbon storage and the biomass of endemic species in the city, without use destructive methods. The mentioned information is necessary to scientifically show which roles these species play in the ecosystem and such allow us to define the good management of resources and to generate mechanisms in the long-term. To know the amount of carbon stored in the species Ficus soatensis and Tecoma stans settled in the locality of Puente Aranda, samples were taken from individuals of different diameter classes, of four tree components: trunk, bark, branches and leaves, and sent to the laboratory to be analyzed by the CHN test. The average carbon content for the two-species varied between 44.54% and 51.95% with an average of 47.23% and standard deviation of 2.84 in all tissues of the individuals analyzed. The carbon content accumulates differentially in the tissues of the individual; the highest value was obtained in the trunk of Tecoma stans and the lowest corresponds to the branches of Ficus soatensis. The percentages of Carbon content by species and by tissue found for Ficus soatensis were, in trunk 51%, branches 43%, bark 45% and leaves 46%; for Tecoma stans the results were 53% in trunk, 46.5% branches, 46.5% bark and 47.5% leaves. When comparing the carbon stocks in the biomass, using the specific concentration as a reference, with respect to the general carbon concentration for the species Ficus soatensis and Tecoma stans, it was found that there is a difference in the carbon content in the branches, since the one registered by the laboratory is greater than the one estimated in a general way. When evaluating the difference between the specific carbon reserves with the general carbon reserves, it can be evidenced that there is a significant difference in the case of the branches. Therefore, it is appropriate to consider this variation in carbon storage estimates, to reduce the margin of error when reporting results of this type. Copyright © 2018, AIDIC Servizi [email protected]

Anaerobic co-digestion of organic residues from different productive sectors in Colombia: Biomethanation potential assessment

The residues enriched in putrescible materials and those with a high content of organic fraction produce large environmental impacts and other problems associated with the productive sector where they are generated. Colombia has a high biomass potential susceptible to be energetically valorized through biological processes achieving two functions: treatment and energy production. Anaerobic digestion is established as a technology with worldwide applications inside the circular biobased economy concept (cradle to cradle). Nevertheless, most of the studies related to technologies like anaerobic digestion have been concentrated on residues from industrialized countries. Considering the variability of residues composition depending on the level of development of a country, it is necessary to assess the biomethanation potential of biomass produced by different productive sectors in Colombia. In this study, a biomethanation potential assessment of organic residues (Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes, swine manure, cocoa husks and pods, residues from the bottled fruit drinks industry and rice stovers) from different productive sectors in Colombia was carried out. The biochemical methane potential (BMP) of each residue and its mixtures was carried out in a system which consisted in a battery of batch reactors (250 and 120 mL bottles) equipped with gasometers. To keep mesophilic conditions, an immersion thermostated bath was used. For all mixtures, an optimum C/N ratio of 20-30 was fixed based on the previous physicochemical characterization of the employed residues. The batch digestion process was evaluated until the total stoppage of gas production. The results indicate that the best mixture in terms of biogas production is the one containing cocoa, fruits and swine manure (C/N = 24), reporting a cumulative specific gas production around 497 mL CH4/g VS. However, this result was lower than the sum of the ones reported by BMP for each individual substrate. © 2016, AIDIC Servizi [email protected]

Anaerobic co-digestion of organic residues from different productive sectors in Colombia: Biomethanation potential assessment

The residues enriched in putrescible materials and those with a high content of organic fraction produce large environmental impacts and other problems associated with the productive sector where they are generated. Colombia has a high biomass potential susceptible to be energetically valorized through biological processes achieving two functions: treatment and energy production. Anaerobic digestion is established as a technology with worldwide applications inside the circular biobased economy concept (cradle to cradle). Nevertheless, most of the studies related to technologies like anaerobic digestion have been concentrated on residues from industrialized countries. Considering the variability of residues composition depending on the level of development of a country, it is necessary to assess the biomethanation potential of biomass produced by different productive sectors in Colombia. In this study, a biomethanation potential assessment of organic residues (Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Wastes, swine manure, cocoa husks and pods, residues from the bottled fruit drinks industry and rice stovers) from different productive sectors in Colombia was carried out. The biochemical methane potential (BMP) of each residue and its mixtures was carried out in a system which consisted in a battery of batch reactors (250 and 120 mL bottles) equipped with gasometers. To keep mesophilic conditions, an immersion thermostated bath was used. For all mixtures, an optimum C/N ratio of 20-30 was fixed based on the previous physicochemical characterization of the employed residues. The batch digestion process was evaluated until the total stoppage of gas production. The results indicate that the best mixture in terms of biogas production is the one containing cocoa, fruits and swine manure (C/N = 24), reporting a cumulative specific gas production around 497 mL CH4/g VS. However, this result was lower than the sum of the ones reported by BMP for each individual substrate. © 2016, AIDIC Servizi [email protected]

Hydrogen production by dark fermentation process from pig manure, cocoa mucilage, and coffee mucilage

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the influence of temperature, initial organic load, and C/N ratio in the biochemical hydrogen potential (BHP) by dark fermentation (DF) of mixtures composed of residual biomass derived from the Colombian agro-industry (pig manure, cocoa mucilage, and coffee mucilage) to contribute to residue management and the development of a bio-based economy in Colombia. A Box-Behnken experimental design was constructed, where the variables were as follows: three initial organic loads (2, 5, and 8 g COD/l), three C/N ratios (25, 35, and 45), and three different coffee and cocoa initial COD ratios (coffee mucilage (CFM):cocoa mucilage (CCM)) (1:3, 2:2, and 3:1). The experiments were carried out at thermophilic environments of 55 °C and 45 °C. Sludge from an anaerobic digester pretreated by thermal shock was used as an inoculum. The results of the experimental designs were used (one per temperature) to model the system mathematically. Also, a mathematical model MARS (multivariate adaptive regression splines) was used as an alternative method to corroborate the optimal points obtained. In both models, it was evidenced that at 55 °C and 45 °C, the best mixing conditions indicated a C/N ratio of 45 and the lowest CFM:CCM with a value close to 1:3. Likewise, it was evidenced that at the temperature of 55 °C, the optimum organic load is 8 g COD/l, while 45 °C is 2 g COD/l. Moreover, it was determined that CFM:CCM has less influence than the other independent variables studied, a factor that favors the country’s scope, due to the availability of these two substrates is not permanent throughout the year. © 2020, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer [email protected]

Life cycle assessment to identify environmental improvements in an aerobic waste water treatment plant

Currently, reduce the environmental impacts generated by industries is vital; that is the reason why many companies are changing their processes to biotechnological processes which seem to be more sustainable alternatives. The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is an internationally accepted tool that allows environmental assessment of products and processes. In addition, LCA has been used to identify environmental improvement opportunities in different production systems and, that is the reason why it has been selected to be used on this research in order to diagnose the environmental performance of a Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) of a cattle benefit plant. The system studied was a WWTP located in Cúcuta (Colombia), which treats 118.477 kg/day of water from cattle benefit plant. The stages of the WWTP are: screening, grit removal, primary sedimentation tank, homogenizer, grease traps, activated sludge reactor, secondary sedimentation tank, slow down flow filter and drying bed. In this paper the process diagrams and the mass and energy balances were constructed with information provided directly by the cattle benefit plant. The impact analysis was carried out using the software SIMAPRO 7.0 and the following impact categories were evaluated: climate change, eutrophication, photochemical oxidation, depletion of the ozone layer, acidification and biotic exhaustion. It was found that the environmental impacts of the WWTP of the cattle benefit plant are generated mainly due to the high electricity consumption in screening, homogenizer, and slurry reactor. Eutrophication was also observed due to the enrichment caused by the increase of the amounts of nutrients, which affected decomposition of excess of organic matter in the water so it could not be a complete mineralization of the nutrients it possesses. All the calculations were carried out using the Ecoinvent data bases. Favourable indicators were observed comparing the environmental profiles of the biological WWTP under study with the environmental indicators of a physicochemical WWTP of cattle benefit plant located in Bucaramanga (Colombia). The potential environmental impacts were lower in all the impact categories evaluated. © 2016, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.0000-0002-1549-3819jannet.ortiz@[email protected]