1,720,975 research outputs found
POTENTIAL OF AEROBIC STABILIZATION IN DRASTIC SLUDGE REDUCTION: A FULL-SCALE EXPERIMENT
Full text linkLife Cycle Assessment of Industrial Symbiosis for Circular Solid Waste Management: A Literature Review
No full textSewage Sludge Quality and Management for Circular Economy Opportunities in Lombardy
Full text linkFrom the perspective of a circular economy that prioritizes resource reuse and recovery, sewage sludge could be a source of nutrients for agricultural soils or a source of energy, depending on its characteristics. Lombardy is the region with the highest quantity of sludge production and management in Italy. A methodology was developed to: extract and analyze quantitative data on sewage sludge (EWC 190805) production and management (2017–2018); collect and analyze qualitative data from publicly available documents in tender processes for sewage sludge management (2014–2020). Sludge from Lombardy’s wastewater treatment facilities displayed average qualities that were useful for recovery in agriculture after additional stabilization treatments. Sludge showed generally low heating values and elevated water content and should require additional treatments to be used in mono-combustion. The study discovered that there is still work to be done in sludge recovery in agriculture in Lombardy, taking biosolid quality into account. Sludge, on the other hand, can be converted into energy. The methodology for collecting and analyzing site-specific data presented here can be applied to other areas. The findings can assist and guide decision-makers in developing future regional sewage sludge management strategies
Using the Sanitation Safety Planning for improving the sanitation system in peri-urban areas of Iringa, Tanzania
No full textThe Sanitation Safety Planning (SSP) methodology is implemented within a cooperation project in Iringa, Tanzania. The aim is to adjust the method for the given context, in order to assess risks and support stakeholders in improving the actual sanitation system. First results, obtained in one of the four peri-urban wards involved, demonstrate the utility of the tool in prioritizing risks and identifying cost-effective control measures. Risks were assessed by the use of a semi-quantitative approach, and a simplified risk assessment matrix was developed for the case study. A sensitivity analysis was even carried out in order to identify criteria for prioritizing control options and developing an achievable improvement pla
The use of a risk assessment tool based on the Sanitation Safety Planning approach for the improvement of O&M procedures of a wastewater treatment plant in Tanzania
No full textThe treatment of wastewater and excreta is one of the major challenges
in low-income contexts. The urgency of recovery and reuse of nutrients
for agriculture come into contrast with the risks for workers, farmers, and
communities. This article presents the development of a risk-based
methodology adapted from the Sanitation Safety Planning (SSP) and
NaWaTech Safety and operation and management (O&M) planning
approaches aimed at improving the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)
of the Municipality of Iringa, Tanzania, selected as case study. The
proposed approach is an innovative tool to identify and quantify the risk
connected to hazardous events: the methodology was applied at the
WWTP in order to identify and assess the risks related to the
malfunctioning or to some exceptional events that could pose health
risks to workers and nearby communities. The process permitted to
identify the risk connected to the hazardous events in order to propose
additional control measures for events having medium, high, or very
high risk level. These additional control measures were aimed at
improving current O&M procedures of the WWTP by the use of simple
enhancements requiring low investments, as a first step toward the
safeguard of the health of workers, farmers, and nearby communities
Sanitation Safety Planning as a Tool for enhancing the conception of a New Sanitation System in peri-urban areas of Iringa, Tanzania
No full textSanitation Safety Planning (‘SSP’) is a risk based management tool for sanitation systems, elaborated for the implementation of
the WHO Guidelines of 2006 [1]. The SSP methodology wants to be tested within the project “Integrate Environmental Sanitation
Concepts for Poor, Underserved and peri-urban areas of Iringa Municipality”, in Tanzania [Fig. 1], coordinated by the Italian NGO
ACRA-CCS, and in which CeTAmb LAB is a technical partner. In the targeted project area (four wards), the 45% of latrines at
household level is unimproved1. Thus, the proper management of wastewater and sludge is a priority in order to prevent risks of
contamination and disease transmission. Through a consultative process, a proposal of sanitation system was elaborated by
technical partners, focusing on the principles of closing the loop of the sanitation chain by reusing and recovering resources.
Aim: this work represents the preliminary phase of a study to be conducted in the project area, aimed at applying a theoretical
approach to validate the use of SSP principles in identifying risks and control measures in a proposed solution, thus enhancing
the conception of a new sanitation system
The potential of collaboration between NGO and Universities between practicality and research.
No full textThe CeTAmb LAB (Research Laboratory on Appropriate Technologies for Environmental Management in resource-limited Countries), University of Brescia, is currently partner in a cooperation project managed by the Italian NGO ACRA CCS, aimed at improving health and hygiene conditions of poor communities living in the peri-urban areas of Iringa Municipality, Tanzania. The CeTAmb LAB is, together with BOKU (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences), technical partner in collaboration with local and international institutions. The interaction between NGO and Universities in cooperation projects offers important opportunities of sharing knowledge and competencies. It helps academics in increasing operational and professional skills, while providing NGOs the possibility to research and exploit innovative tools and methodologies. This relation, if adequately structured, has a huge potential in incrementing the value of partners’ work and actions carried out in international projects
Potential and Environmental Benefits of Biochar Utilization for Coal/Coke Substitution in the Steel Industry
No full textThe metallurgical sector is one of the most emission- and energy-intensive industries. The possibility of using fossil carbon substitutes has been investigated to reduce the environmental impact of the steelmaking sector. Among others, biochar emerged as a promising fossil coal/coke substitute. We conducted a literature review on biochar use in the metallurgical sector and its potential environmental benefits. The possibility for biochar as a coal/coke substitute is influenced by the source of biochar production and the process within which it can be used. In general, it has been observed that substitution of biochar ranging from a minimum of 5% to a maximum of 50% (mostly around 20–25%) is possible without affecting, or in some cases improving, the process, in coke making, iron sintering, blast furnaces and electric furnaces application. In some studies, the potential CO2 reduction due to biochar use was estimated, ranging from 5% to about 50%. Despite there still being an area of further investigation, biochar appeared as a promising resource with a variety of uses in the metallurgical sector, contributing to the lowering of the environmental impact of the sector
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Latrine Management Approaches in Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Myanmar
No full textWater, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions provide dignity and prevent disease transmission. Sanitary facility provision (e.g., latrines) is a key WASH priority in all phases of humanitarian response. Currently, there are evidence gaps on field effectiveness of sanitation approaches, particularly in protracted crises. Thus, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of sanitation approaches in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Myanmar. We conducted 36 focus group discussions, 65 household surveys, and 32 key informant interviews in Rakhine and Kachin states; results were analyzed qualitatively. We found family-shared, gender-segregated latrines were the preferred approach. Acceptance was a result of gender segregation, followed by lighting, state of repair, cleanliness, design, and distance from household. Contextual factors influencing sanitation approach development and acceptance were cultural and religious beliefs, community cohesion, camp size, livelihood access, land ownership and availability, and responding agency type. Overall, sanitation approaches generally met IDP needs; however, access was limited for children, the elderly, and people with special needs (including persons with disabilities). We recommend implementers of latrine programs in protracted contexts conduct community consultations, consider gender segregation, be flexible in considering context-specific solutions, prioritize access and dignity, and be inclusive of vulnerable groups
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