Pollution solid waste recycling

Splash condenser dross residue. The treatment of steel production pollution control sludge generates a zinc-laden residue, called dross. This material, generated from a splash condenser in a high-temperature metal recovery process, is known as a splash condenser dross residue. Because this material contains 50 to 60% zinc, it is often reclaimed, reused, or processed as a valuable recyclable material. Facilities commonly handle this material as a valuable commodity by managing it in a way that is protective of human health and the environment, so U.S. EPA excluded this residue from the definition of solid waste. 

Kassim TA, Simoneit BRT, Williamson KJ (2005) Forensic investigation of leachates from recycled solid wastes An environmental analysis approach. In Kassim TA, Williamson KJ (eds) Environmental Impact Assessment of Recycled Wastes on Surface and Ground Waters Volume 3 Concepts, Methodology and Chemical Analysis. Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, Water Pollution Series, Vol 5/Part F. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York 321-400... 

Solid wastes differ from air and water pollutants since these wastes remain at the point of origin until a decision is made to collect and dispose of them. There are several means of disposal available including recycling, chemical conversion, incineration, pyrolysis, and landfill. Federal regulations, local conditions, and overall economics generally determine which method is the most acceptable. 

N. A. Aldokhin, A. I. Goncharov, M. A. Grachev, and A. N. Suturn, Recycling of Wastewater and Solid Waste at the Selenginsk Pulp and Paper Plant. Industry and Environment, 13(3-4) 21-23, 1990. Bishop, Pollution Prevention Fundamentals and Practice, McGraw Hill, New York, 2000. 

Metal items constitute an appreciable amount of solid waste, with their percentage varying between 5 and 15 percent in most cases. As the revenue from solid-waste processing plants is derived from the sale of the separated products, among which ferrous and nonferrous metal items, the recovery and recycling of metallic objects support considerably the construction and operation of solid-waste treatment plants. The recycling of metal items is very important, as it contributes in mineral deposits conservation and in the prevention of environmental pollution from the oxidation and dissolution of various metals, being in alloyed form. 

This process will allow the recycling of solid waste to produce a useful product. High pressure and temperature combined with hydrogen can convert most types of domestic and industrial wastes back into products that are currently obtained from fossil coal and oil. No volatile polluting chemicals will be vented into the atmosphere. The metals can be recovered for further use and the ceramic materials will be converted into a product difficult to distinguish from natural rocks. This type of process will not solve all the solid waste disposal problems, but will provide a potential method for recovery of valuable products from waste. When implemented, it will dramatically reduce the amount of solid waste placed in landfills. This process also has the potential to reduce the amount of oil and coal mined to provide the carbon compounds needed to manufacture all petrochemical derived materials. This waste reduction process is a variation on the Fischer-Tropsch process, mentioned on page 101, in use commercially to produce hydrocarbon materials from coal. 

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