Luciana Paulo Gomes

Biogas production from co-digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste and fruit and vegetable waste

The anaerobic co-digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) was evaluated in terms of biogas and methane yield, volatile solids (VS) removal rate and stability of the process. The batch experiment was conducted in mesophilic conditions (35°C), with four different OFMSW/FVW ratios (VS basis) of 1/0, 1/1, 1/3, and 0/1. The methane yield from the co-digestion was higher than the mono-digestion for OFMSW and FVW. The optimal mixing ratio of OFMSW/FVW was found to be 1/3. The average cumulative biogas and methane yield in this condition was 493.8NmL/gVS and 396.6NmL/gVS, respectively, and the VS removal rate was 54.6%. Compared with the mono-digestion of OFMSW and FVW, the average increase in methane yield was 141% and 43.8%, respectively.

Medição de desempenho ambiental baseada em método multicriterial de apoio à decisão: estudo de caso na indústria automotiva

This paper presents and discusses a case concerning environmental performance measurement (MDA), in which a multicriterial approach, the AHP, was used. The measurement took place in a manufacturing operation in the automotive industry, whose environmental management system (SGA) is certified according to ISO 14001: 2004. The methodology was developed in such a way that it is feasible to reproduce it in other industries or operations. The paper discusses business and environmental performance, justifying the need for a numerical index, in order to establish such performances. We propose the measurement methodology, in which we formulate hierarchical constructs for sustaining the index, weighed by the AHP and measured by indicators evaluated with historical data, available in the operation database. The index reached almost 85% of the maximum range. The measurement constructs are: solid wasting; effluent; natural resources; environmental management; and atmospheric emissions. The main improvement opportunities are: reduction in natural resources quantity requirement and atmospheric emissions.

Waste generated in high-rise buildings construction: A quantification model based on statistical multiple regression

Reducing construction waste is becoming a key environmental issue in the construction industry. The quantification of waste generation rates in the construction sector is an invaluable management tool in supporting mitigation actions. However, the quantification of waste can be a difficult process because of the specific characteristics and the wide range of materials used in different construction projects. Large variations are observed in the methods used to predict the amount of waste generated because of the range of variables involved in construction processes and the different contexts in which these methods are employed. This paper proposes a statistical model to determine the amount of waste generated in the construction of high-rise buildings by assessing the influence of design process and production system, often mentioned as the major culprits behind the generation of waste in construction. Multiple regression was used to conduct a case study based on multiple sources of data of eighteen residential buildings. The resulting statistical model produced dependent (i.e. amount of waste generated) and independent variables associated with the design and the production system used. The best regression model obtained from the sample data resulted in an adjusted R(2) value of 0.694, which means that it predicts approximately 69% of the factors involved in the generation of waste in similar constructions. Most independent variables showed a low determination coefficient when assessed in isolation, which emphasizes the importance of assessing their joint influence on the response (dependent) variable.

Environmental performance assessment of a provider of logistical services in an industrial supply chain

This paper presents a method for assessing environmental performance in industrial operations. The method was applied to three logistical operations in an industrial supply chain performed by a single operator: road transportation, warehousing, and urban transportation. Environmental performance was treated as a complex object and was structured according to the following five criteria: atmospheric emissions, liquid effluents, solid waste, natural and energy resources, and managerial and legal regulations. The first four criteria address a direct impact on the environment, whereas the last is a necessary condition for the first four to have a satisfactory performance. Six experts in environmental management prioritized the criteria and defined sets of indicators for the field appraisal. The indicators were expected to be correlated for the same criteria. The validity of the indicators was assessed through questionnaires answered by six managers of the operation. Finally, three overall indices corresponding to the environmental performance of the three logistical operations were calculated for the operations and were found to be 73.58, 79.21, and 76.28% (higher is better). These indicate good results because the maximum performance is expected to be 100%. This environmental performance assessment can aid in reformulating the environmental strategies embedded in the operational strategy of the company.

Indicadores de sustentabilidade na avaliação de granjas suinícolas

The present pig farming is characterized by the intensive production in units of confinement. This model, in addition to consuming natural resources, generates the large amount of waste, which requires appropriate treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the practice of sustainability in pig farms. A new evaluation method - System of Sustainability Indicators in Pig Farming (SISS) - was proposed and applied on farms with different management systems: manure heaps, biodigestors, composting and deep bedings. SISS proved to be efficient, easy to apply and comprehensive to the practice of pig farming. Farms that used composting had a greater set of sustainable practices. The deep bedings system was considered the worst among the farms. We emphasize the need for joint action by members of the production chain, so that this activity will be considered sustainable.

A compact remediation system for the treatment of groundwater contaminated with BTEX and TPH.

ABSTRACT Gas stations constitute important point sources of soil and groundwater pollution. The leaking of hydrocarbons into the soil is a significant environment issue due to the wide-ranging occurrence of leaks and the high levels and toxicity of pollutants involved in the contamination of groundwater for human use. This study introduces a compact system developed to treat groundwater contaminated with benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylenes (BTEX) and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) leaked from gas station tanks. The system comprises three units: (1) suction and volatilization of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), (2) aeration tank (to remove volatile organic substances), and (3) an adsorption packed-bed filter (activated carbon (AC) and rice husk ash, 50% each, to remove TPH). Contaminated groundwater was characterized in a pilot study and in the field. Levels of BTEX and of TPH decreased by 96% with an 8-h retention time. The results obtained show that the remediation system is highly efficient and yielded water that met the discharge standards defined in the Brazilian legislation, that is, maximum benzene, toluene, and xylene levels of 5, 170, and 300 μg/L, respectively.

Identifying and Prioritizing Ecodesign Key Factors for the Automotive Industry

One of the key causes that most contribute to the environmental degradation that threatens the planet is the increasing production and consumption of goods and services. Some of the factors that contribute to that are: (a) the lifestyle of some societies; (b) the development of emerging countries; (c) the ageing of population in developed countries; (d) the inequalities among regions of the planet; and (e) the ever smaller life cycle of products (Maxwell et al., 2006). The balance between environmental “cost” and functional “income” is essential for sustainable development, resulting that environmental issues must now be merged into “classical” product development processes (Luttropp & Lagerstedt, 2006). Concepts such as ecodesign, cleaner production, design for (the) environment, recycling projects and development of sustainable products promote a re-design at techniques, like conceptualization, design and manufacturing of goods (Byggeth et al., 2007). Ecodesign is a concept that integrates multifaceted aspects of design and environmental considerations aiming to create sustainable solutions that satisfy human needs and desires. The product is a part of life-style and design, as well as ecodesign, relate to more than the rational function of a product or service (Karlsson & Luttropp, 2006). There are several motivations for implementing ecodesign besides the environmental aspects, e.g. cost savings, competitive advantage, image of the company, quality improvement, legal requirements. Large companies consider the implementation of ecodesign as a way to preserve the environment as well the competitiveness and the image of the organization. Nevertheless, small and medium enterprises still need to be convinced of the advantages and possibilities of ecodesign (Vercalsteren, 2001). A priori, SMES rarely integrate the analysis of environmental restrictions to their field of knowledge (Pochat et al., 2007). Another difficulty presented for companies in general, and SMES in particular, refers to the ecodesign tools. Most require application by experts (Pochat et al., 2007; Rao, 2004). Moreover, many tools for ecodesign fail because they do not focus on the design, but seek retrospective analysis based on existing products (Lofthouse, 2006). Indeed, ecodesign, as a process, must be integrated into the design and management processes of the company. Not only appropriated tools for ecodesign are needed, but also tools that can help designers to link then to their conventional tools (Pochat et al., 2007). A lot of different requirements for

Biodegradability potential of two experimental landfills in Brazil

Solid wastes anaerobic biodegradability, methane production potential and microbiological composition of two experimental sanitary landfills in Brazil, running for one year, were evaluated. The two landfills showed a similar organic matter stabilization during the methane production phase, despite the high heterogeneity of the solid wastes. Both landfills presented the same level of methane (around 91.5 L CH4 / kg Volatile Total Solids) and organic acids, mainly acetic and butyric acids, in the leachate. Bacterial isolates belonged to genera Megasphaera, Selenomonas, Methanobacterium, Methanobrevibacter and Methanosarcina.

Proposta de plano de gerenciamento de resíduos de serviços de saúde para o hospital Beneficiência Portuguesa – Porto Alegre - RS

The majority of health establishments in the country do not have a Health Waste Management Plan (HWMP), and there is no control of the quantity and the quality of generated waste. It is known that inadequate management techniques render this type of waste as a source of both environmental and public health risk. Thus, UNISINOS and the Beneficencia Portuguesa Hospital (BPH) in Porto Alegre created a partnership for the development of this project. The stages carried out in the research were: to compare federal medical waste regulations in Brazil to their state counterparts in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, to characterize the generated solid waste in the studied medical establishment both quantitatively and qualitatively, to propose a solid waste collection route and a HWMP for this institution, with a final cost-benefit analysis associated with all such stages. The BPH solid waste characterization indicated a total generation in the order of 7650 kg/month, which 66% are Hazardous Wastes (including sharps), 18% are Organic Wastes and 16% are Potentially Recyclable Wastes, demonstrating that an appropriate segregation is not occurring. The adequate waste management aims at reducing hazardous waste generation to levels lower than 40%. Besides complying with specific legislation, the proposed HWMP creates conditions for BPH to minimize the current generated impacts, with the possibility of environmental and economic gains. Key words: Health Wastes, Health Waste Management Plan, Collection, Characterization.