Valorization of leached waters through conversion in liquid fertilizers

Dupla diplomação com a UTFPR - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do ParanáAn unprecedented demographic explosion occurred in the last decades at a global level. The negative impacts of this event stand out, affecting the social, economic and mainly environmental spheres. In the environmental aspect, an important consequence is the growing production of solid wastes, due partially to the population increase. However, the development of effective technologies for the treatment of these wastes did not accompany such growth, and currently the most used method for this is landfill disposal. Even with the possibility of alternatives, the use of landfills for the disposal of solid wastes will be necessary over a long period, with the inevitable consequence of the generation of leachate streams. The objective of this work is the development, design and implementation of processes for physicochemical conversion of leachate liquid effluents from a composting process in liquid fertilizers with a standardized and reproducible composition. The leachate sample was collected in February 2019 from the slurry storage tank of the company “Resíduos do Nordeste”, EIM (Urjais, Mirandela, Portugal). The stream is produced and recovered from a composting line from a mechanical and biological waste treatment plant. From this original sample, three additional materials were obtained: a filtered sample for the removal of the solid fraction (Filtro 03/04), two concentrated samples by simple distillation, with two concentration levels in volume basis: 1,19x and 1,85x in relation to the original leachate sample. The four samples (the original leachate and the three processed samples) were submitted to a sequence of analyzes, in order to compare its composition and properties with the current Portuguese and European legislation specifications for liquid fertilizers. The selected characterization parameters were: Total Organic Carbon (TOC), pH, Conductivity, Percentage of Dry Matter, Density, and Heavy Metals, Phosphorus, Potassium and Nitrogen contents. Adsorption tests were performed with the Filter 03/04 sample, with two adsorbents of different origin, the first produced from an organic compound, resulting from a centralized composting process, obtained from the same landfill that provided the Original sample. The second adsorbent tested is activated clays, originating from four different deposits in Kazakhstan. After treatment with the adsorbents, the same analyzes were performed previously, aiming to evaluate the efficiency of the adsorbents. The characterization results were then used to verify the framework for later use of the original leachate and/or the processed samples as liquid organomineral fertilizers, and to assess the specific needs of composition tuning for the non-processed leachate sample. A concentration process for the original sample of 1,19x (v/v) has been determined to allow the reaching of at least 3% TOC, a content legally required. Additionally, treatment is required for the removal of nickel and chromium from the samples. The metals zinc, copper, cadmium and lead have been quantified and are within the limits specified in the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (2019). A flowchart for the proper treatment of this leachate was proposed, with the intention of using it as liquid organomineral fertilizer.Uma explosão demográfica sem precedentes ocorreu nas últimas décadas a nível global. Destacam-se os impactos negativos deste evento, afetando as esferas social, econômica e principalmente ambiental. No aspeto ambiental, uma consequência importante é a crescente produção de resíduos sólidos, em parte devido ao aumento populacional. No entanto, o desenvolvimento de tecnologias eficazes para o tratamento desses resíduos não acompanhou esse crescimento, e atualmente o método mais utilizado para isso é o descarte em aterros sanitários. Mesmo com a possibilidade de alternativas, o uso de aterros sanitários para a disposição de resíduos sólidos será necessário por um longo período, com a inevitável consequência da geração de caudais de chorume. O objetivo deste trabalho é o desenvolvimento, proposta e implementação de processos de conversão físico-química de efluentes líquidos lixiviados, de um processo de compostagem, em fertilizantes líquidos com uma composição padronizada e reprodutível. A amostra de lixiviados foi coletada em fevereiro de 2019 a partir do tanque de armazenamento de chorume da empresa “Resíduos do Nordeste”, EIM (Urjais, Mirandela, Portugal). O fluxo é produzido e recuperado de uma linha de compostagem de uma estação de tratamento de resíduos mecânica e biológica. Desta amostra original, três materiais adicionais foram obtidos: uma amostra filtrada para a remoção da fração sólida (Filtro 03/04), duas amostras concentradas por destilação simples, com dois níveis de concentração em base volumétrica: 1,19x e 1,85x em relação a amostra original. As quatro amostras (o lixiviado original e as três amostras processadas) foram submetidas a uma sequência de análises, de modo a comparar a sua composição e propriedades com as atuais especificações da legislação portuguesa e europeia para fertilizantes líquidos. Os parâmetros de caracterização selecionados foram: teor de carbono orgânico total (TOC), pH, condutividade elétrica, percentagem de matéria seca, densidade e metais pesados, fósforo, potássio e nitrogênio. Foram realizados testes de adsorção com a amostra Filtro 03/04, com dois adsorventes de origem diferente, o primeiro produzido a partir de um composto orgânico, resultante de um processo de compostagem centralizada, obtido do mesmo aterro sanitário que forneceu a amostra Original. O segundo adsorvente testado, são as argilas ativadas, originárias de quatro depósitos diferentes do Cazaquistão. Após o tratamento com os adsorventes foram realizadas as mesmas análises feitas anteriormente, com o objetivo de avaliar a eficiência dos adsorventes. Os resultados da caracterização foram então utilizados para verificar a estrutura para posterior utilização do lixiviado original e/ou as amostras processadas como fertilizantes organominerais líquidos, e para avaliar as necessidades específicas de ajuste da composição. Um processo de concentração para a amostra original de 1,19x (v/v) foi determinado para permitir o alcance de pelo menos 3% de TOC, um conteúdo legalmente requerido no Regulamento do Parlamento Europeu e do Concelho (2019). Além disso, é necessário um tratamento para a remoção de níquel e cromio das amostras. Os metais zinco, cobre, cádmio e chumbo foram quantificados e estão dentro dos limites especificados no Regulamento do Parlamento Europeu e do Conselho (2019). Um fluxograma para o tratamento adequado desse lixiviado foi proposto, com o intuito de utilizá-lo como fertilizante organomineral líquido.This work was carried out under the scope of Project VALORCOMP, funded by FEDER through Programme INTERREG V-A Spain − Portugal (POCTEP) 2014–2020. Finally, to all who have somehow been part of this period and collaborated to carry out this work, I will be eternally grateful

Heavy metals removal of leachates from a mechanical biological municipal solid waste treatment plant for use as fertilizers

Leachates produced from treatment plants contains carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. This work aims to develop heavy metals removal processes using solid adsorbents synthetized at CIMO and LSRE-LCM laboratories at Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, such as activated carbon produced from a compost material from the same treatment plant and modified clays obtained through a partnership with a Kazakhstan institution, to adequate the leachate from the composting line of a mechanical and biological treatment facility, into commercial fertilizers which fit the requirements of the European Legislation. Preliminary results show that the adsoption materials promoted a reduction in the heavy metals content, but this reduction also affected the organic carbon content. However, the activated carbons presented a better potencial for heavy metals removal.This work was financially supported by: Project VALORCOMP, funded by FEDER through Programme INTERREG V-A Spain−Portugal (POCTEP) 2014–2020 and Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCMUID/ EQU/50020/2019 - funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Heavy metals removal on leachate for use as fertilizers

Municipal landfill leachates typically contain high ammonium and organic concentration which could contribute to its use in agriculture, leading to the reduction of costs for the respective waste treatment plants. However, due to the nature of the leachates, they may contain phytotoxic substances. The landfillleachate samples differ by many factors such as the composition of the treated waste, elapsed time, geochemical and weather conditions [1-3]. Taking into account these considerations, leachate samples from a storage tank at the "Residuos do Nordeste, ElM" mechanical and biological treatment plant, were collected in February 2019, and stored :at 4°C. The leachate samples were processed using activated carbon adsorbents produced from the compost of the referred company, and H2S04 activated clays obtained from a partnership with a Kazakhsta1n institution. The leachate samples were mixed with the adsorbents for 48 hours, centrifugated and the supernatant was reserved. TOC analysis in a Shimadzu TOC-L equipment and metals quantification by atomic absorption spectroscopy using a Varian SpectrAA 220 apparatus were carried out. :Selected results are presented in Fig. 1. The original leachate presents an organic carbon content closer to the requirements of the EU legislation for liquid organo-mineral fertilizers. The activated carbon promoted greater TOC removal in comparison with the activated clays. Both materials showed interaction with the heavy metals. However, Cr still remains present in higher conten1ts and K presents lower values than the legislation requirements. Overall, the activated carbons presented a greater potential for heavy metals removal. However, ion-exchange resins will be tested for a more efficient heavy metals removal to minimize possible secondary elimination of components sue:h as nutrients and organic carbon.This work was financially supported by: Project VALORCOMP, funded by FEDER through Programme INTERREG V-A Spain- Portugal {POCTEP) 2014-2020 and Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM UID/EQU/50020/2019 - funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES {PIDDAC).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of the Physicochemical Properties of Different Biodiesel Samples

ABSTRACT For combustion engines to perform well, it is necessary that the fuel used be of high quality. Fuel quality can be analyzed through different physicochemical properties. This study presents comparisons between the values presented in literature, legislation and those obtained through experimental tests of different biodiesel samples. Biodiesel is a promising alternative of renewable energy obtained from raw material. The properties observed in this study are: Viscosity, density, cloud point, pour point and calorific value. The data explored by this work aims to bring solidification to the methodologies and equipment necessary for a better characterization of biodiesel

Potential use of leachates from a mechanical biological municipal solid waste treatment plant as fertilizers

Leachates produced from treatment plants contains carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. This work aims to assess if a leachate, generated from a mechanical and biological treatment of compost, can be used as a potential source for fertilizers, and thus develop and design a sequence of processes which could effectively convert the leachates to commercial fertilizers according to the requirements of the proposal of regulation of the European Parliament of 2016. The analysis shows that the leachate could result in an organo-mineral fertilizer with high organic carbon content. However, some heavy metals, nitrogen and phosphorous contents do not fulfill the legislation requirements and potassium content remains to be characterized.This work was financially supported by: Project VALORCOMP, funded by FEDER through Programme INTERREG V-A Spain- Portugal (POCTEP) 2014-2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Heavy metals removal of leachates from a mechanical biological municipal solid waste treatment plant for use as fertilizers

Leachates produced from treatment plants contains carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. This work aims to develop heavy metals removal processes using solid adsorbents synthetized at CIMO and LSRE-LCM laboratories at Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, such as activated carbon produced from a compost material from the same treatment plant and modified clays obtained through a partnership with a Kazakhstan institution, to adequate the leachate from the composting line of a mechanical and biological treatment facility, into commercial fertilizers which fit the requirements of the European Legislation. Preliminary results show that the adsoption materials promoted a reduction in the heavy metals content, but this reduction also affected the organic carbon content. However, the activated carbons presented a better potencial for heavy metals removal.This work was financially supported by: Project VALORCOMP, funded by FEDER through Programme INTERREG V-A Spain - Portugal (POCTEP) 2014-2020 and Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM- UID/EQU/50020/2019- funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio