Augusto Bianchini

Sewage sludge drying process integration with a waste-to-energy power plant

Dewatered sewage sludge from Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) is encountering increasing problems associated with its disposal. Several solutions have been proposed in the last years regarding energy and materials recovery from sewage sludge. Current technological solutions have relevant limits as dewatered sewage sludge is characterized by a high water content (70-75% by weight), even if mechanically treated. A Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) with good thermal characteristics in terms of Lower Heating Value (LHV) can be obtained if dewatered sludge is further processed, for example by a thermal drying stage. Sewage sludge thermal drying is not sustainable if the power is fed by primary energy sources, but can be appealing if waste heat, recovered from other processes, is used. A suitable integration can be realized between a WWTP and a waste-to-energy (WTE) power plant through the recovery of WTE waste heat as energy source for sewage sludge drying. In this paper, the properties of sewage sludge from three different WWTPs are studied. On the basis of the results obtained, a facility for the integration of sewage sludge drying within a WTE power plant is developed. Furthermore, energy and mass balances are set up in order to evaluate the benefits brought by the described integration.

Material and energy recovery in integrated waste management system – An Italian case study on the quality of MSW data

This paper analyses the way numerical data on Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) quantities are recorded, processed and then reported for six of the most meaningful Italian Districts and shows the difficulties found during the comparison of these Districts, starting from the lack of homogeneity and the fragmentation of the data indispensable to make this critical analysis. These aspects are often ignored, but data certainty are the basis for serious MSW planning. In particular, the paper focuses on overall Source Separation Level (SSL) definition and on the influence that Special Waste (SW) assimilated to MSW has on it. An investigation was then necessary to identify new parameters in place of overall SSL. Moreover, these parameters are not only important for a waste management system performance measure, but are fundamental in order to design and check management plan and to identify possible actions to improve it.

Hot waste-to-energy flue gas treatment using an integrated fluidised bed reactor

This paper describes an innovative process to increase superheated steam temperatures in waste-to-energy (WTE) plants. This solution is mainly characterised by a fluidised bed reactor in which hot flue gas is treated both chemically and mechanically. This approach, together with gas recirculation, increases the energy conversion efficiency, and raises the superheated steam temperature without decreasing the useful life of the superheater. This paper presents new experimental data obtained from the test facility installed at the Hera S.p.A. WTE plant in Forlì, Italy; discusses changes that can be implemented to increase the duration of experimental testing; offers suggestions for the design of an industrial solution.

3PL provider selection by AHP and TOPSIS methodology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a two-phase analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach that is a multi-criteria decision-making methodology (MCDM) in the evaluation of third-party logistics (3PL) providers. Design/methodology/approach After the description of the selection criteria of 3PL providers that are determined by company management, the weights of criteria are calculated by applying the AHP method. The TOPSIS method is then employed to achieve the final ranking results. A sensitivity analysis is developed for a deeper comprehension of results reliability. Findings The paper shows the complexity of a real 3PL provider change. At the same time, a simple MCDM methodology is provided to assure the success of this activity in which many other companies have failed. Research limitations/implications The proposed MCDM methodology represents a very good compromise between a reliable solution and reasonable computational and human effort. 3PL provider selection or change is an extremely complex decision that could be investigated in greater detail with other more complex methodology, with a consequently higher investment, that is not so affordable for all budgets. Originality/value It is the first time that a two-phase AHP and TOPSIS methodology is applied to an Italian biscuit company for a 3PL provider change together with the analysis of logistics performance after two years. The paper shows a detailed methodology application that could be very useful for managers for their specific application.

Sewage sludge management in Europe: a critical analysis of data quality

The paper analyses the way numerical data on sewage sludge quantities are recorded, processed and then reported at EU level. The analysed data are the same used by policy makers as official sources. The paper shows the difficulties found during the comparison of EU member states management systems, starting from lack of homogeneity and the fragmentation of the data. Reliable data about sewage sludge production and disposal are indispensable to make a critical analysis and also to realise adjustments and changes to the existing management models as well as in the implementation of European policies, such as the Sewage Sludge Directive or the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Moreover, starting from a critical analysis of EU data, the paper shows how sewage sludge management is dealt by EU countries. Finally, the paper suggests to policy makers some implementation for the data management system in order to reach a higher data reliability.

A procedure for condition-based maintenance and diagnostics of submersible well pumps through vibration monitoring

Submersible well pumps, widely used for groundwater, are installed at great depths which make typical maintenance actions unworkable and costly. Condition-based maintenance (CBM) through vibration monitoring could be an effective approach for these critical machines. According to ISO 10816-7 (2009) suggestions, a procedure to measure vibration was established and applied on submersible well pumps both in a test facility and in situ. Instruments and measurement location were selected and a methodology for data processing was applied in order to set maintenance alarms. The procedure was tested on several submersible well pumps directly in the testing room of one of the main producers of pumps. Measurements in a testing room made it possible to avoid problems and costs related to instrument installation in the field. In order to demonstrate the technical feasibility of the procedure also in field, the method was also applied in real groundwater plant with a special design of the measurement system, to overcome strict operational work conditions. This paper shows the experimental campaign results, which are the basis to conduct CBM on pumps, in terms of: (1) definition of the typical vibration values of new pumps, not available even by producers, plant managers and standards, and (2) identification of the parameters which influence pump vibration, fundamental to data processing and the setting of proper alarms. The procedure will also be applied for other categories of pumps, used in several industrial applications, to measure reliable vibration data and set specific alarms for maintenance interventions.

From Financial Merchandise Planning to Supply Chain Design and Execution

For years agents believed that technology could have bridged the gap in fashion companies. This has not come true. Significant investments aimed at implementing complex systems have often failed. Indeed, they have not been able, in a simple, flexible and comprehensive way, to integrate all the processes that, by definition, are changeable and not only influenced by deterministic factors. Therefore, it proves necessary, in complex organizations, to promote those best practices and habits that support and enhance personal freedom, judgments and hypotheses. This is the process by which the retailer seeks to provide the right amount and quality of the right merchandise in the right store at the right time, while also seeking to meet the financial goals of the company. This project, developed by the collaboration between the Department of Industrial Engineering (University of Bologna) and K.Group, aims to show how financial planning of Merchandise Planning may be implemented in a major Italian Fashion Retail Company, presenting the preliminary plan to integrate it with the specific processes of Supply Chain Planning and Execution, hence highlighting achievements, methodology and technological resources in terms of: data management (normalization and load data), business intelligence (score carding, dashboards, reporting, analysis), predictive analytics (clustering, simulation), performance management (budgeting, planning and forecasting, profitability), workflow management and data integration.