Waste Management Guidelines
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Questions and Answers

What are the three general options in air emissions abatement?

Waste minimization, Recovery and recycling, Destruction or disposal

Which properties are important to characterize a stream for equipment selection in air emissions abatement?

  • The stream pressure (correct)
  • The stream composition (correct)
  • The stream temperature (correct)
  • The stream flowrate (correct)

    • Electrostatic precipitators are used to remove liquid particles from a gas stream.

    False

    A filter comprises a solid porous media which allows only gas and very small particles to pass through it. Gas filters normally consist of either bags or cartridges through which the gas passes. The performance of a filter is characterized by two parameters: ______ and Pressure drop.

    <p>Particle collection efficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of the world's FGD systems are non-regenerable?

    <p>95-97%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following are considered pollutants from agriculture?

    <p>Nitrogen (N)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Controlling agricultural pollution requires an interdisciplinary approach.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two major oxides implied by the term NOx?

    <p>nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a site investigation for animal waste lagoons?

    <p>To confirm that subsurface soil conditions will prevent excessive leakage of the lagoon contents or that unsuitable conditions can be ameliorated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of soils pose special challenges for a safe design of agricultural facilities?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the underlying purpose of agricultural point source pollution control facilities?

    <p>To contain potential pollutants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The design capacities of agricultural point source pollution control facilities are determined by the rate at which the pollutants are generated and the required ______________________ period.

    <p>storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The characteristics of agricultural wastes are similar to those of wastewater treatment facilities.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary objective of agricultural non-point source pollution control practices?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most economical, practical, and environmentally sustainable method for managing agricultural wastes?

    <p>Land application of wastes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The rate of application of organic wastes to land is dependent on the ______________________ assimilative capacity of the soil system.

    <p>instantaneous</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary factor that determines the long-term assimilative capacity of a waste application site?

    <p>Nutrient application rates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary consideration for designing land application systems?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between organic and inorganic compounds?

    <p>Organic compounds contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, while inorganic compounds do not.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Classify the following compounds as either organic, inorganic, or particulate: Dry cleaning agents, Petrol, Ammonia, Boiler flue gases.

    <p>Organic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Under what circumstances should incineration be considered as a method of air emissions control?

    <p>Incineration is considered when other methods such as filtration or chemical reactions are not effective, as it destroys pollutants through high-temperature burning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why would urea be preferable to ammonia as a method of controlling NOx emissions?

    <p>Urea is less toxic and a safer alternative to handle, transport, and store compared to ammonia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain why sulphur and NOx are present and are harmful pollutants in industrial air emissions.

    <p>Sulphur and NOx contribute to the formation of acid rain and smog, which are harmful to human health and the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Discuss the obstacles to agricultural pollution control.

    <p>Obstacles include cost constraints, lack of awareness or compliance with regulations, resistance to change traditional practices, and difficulty in implementing efficient waste management systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An activated sludge effluent treatment plant is experiencing complaints from surrounding area. Discuss the possible sources of odors and the ways to control them.

    <p>Odors at the plant may originate from incomplete treatment, anaerobic conditions, accumulation of sludge, or release of volatile organic compounds. Control methods include increasing aeration, optimizing sludge management, and covering tanks to contain odors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Industrial Air Emissions Control

    • Industrial air emissions are regulated to maintain air quality standards
    • Various air emission abatement technologies are used to achieve these standards
    • Waste stream characteristics include:
      • Gaseous and particulate contaminants
      • Density, particle size, and volatility
      • Chemical and physical properties (e.g., solubility, adsorptive properties)
    • Three general options for air emissions abatement:
      • Waste minimization
      • Recovery and recycling
      • Destruction or disposal

    Characterizing the Air Stream

    • Wastewater treatment manipulates the chemistry of the liquid waste stream to purify it
    • Air pollution control manipulates the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the gas stream
    • Important measurable properties of the stream:
      • Composition
      • Flowrate
      • Temperature
      • Pressure
    • Additional information required for equipment selection:
      • Variability in stream characteristics
      • Explosivity of the stream
      • Corrosiveness of the stream

    Equipment Selection

    • Equipment selection depends on the type of compounds to be removed:
      • VOCs (defined as organic substances with potential to cause environmental effects)
      • Inorganic compounds
      • Particulate matter
    • Major types of equipment used:
      • Incinerators
      • Adsorbers
      • Condensers
      • Filters
      • Scrubbers
      • Absorbers
      • Particle collection devices

    Equipment Design

    • Condensation:
      • Transfers heat from a vapor stream to a cooling stream
      • Can be direct or indirect contact type
      • Shell and tube design is commonly used
    • Absorption:
      • Selectively absorbs compounds from a gas stream
      • Generates a liquid waste stream
    • Adsorption:
      • Used to recover compounds from dilute streams
      • Can be used in various ways (e.g., fluidizing, rotating, or fixed bed)
    • Filtration:
      • Uses a solid porous media to remove particles
      • Gas filters typically consist of bags or cartridges
      • Performance characterized by particle collection efficiency and pressure drop

    Special Topics

    • Flue gas desulphurization (FGD):
      • Two main types: non-regenerable and regenerable
      • Non-regenerable systems generate a residue that must be disposed of
      • Regenerable systems convert sulphur dioxide to a marketable product
    • NOx removal:
      • Three main mechanisms of NOx production: reaction of N2 with oxygen, nitrogen existing in the fuel, and reactions of fuel-derived radicals with N2
      • Effective control of NOx emissions requires knowledge of the dominant formation mechanism

    Agricultural Pollution Control

    • Primary objective of agricultural enterprise is to optimize profit
    • Modifications to agricultural practices have increased pollution potential
    • Need to control pollution from agriculture is more obvious, especially with regard to water pollution
    • Obstacles to agricultural pollution control:
      • Unique characteristics of the agricultural industry
      • Non-homogeneous biological system (soil)
      • Large land areas involved
      • Unpredictable climatic events
      • Low profit margins
    • Agricultural pollution control principles:
      • Interdisciplinary approach combining expertise of engineers, agronomists, soil scientists, and biologists
      • Controlling pollutants such as nutrients, organic matter, pathogens, synthetic organic chemicals, and eroded soil
      • Point and non-point sources of pollution
      • Total quality management (TQM) approach or systems approach required for success### Point Sources of Agricultural Pollution
    • Key sources of pollution in agricultural systems:
      • Farmyard (uncovered exercise or feeding areas, soiled water storage tanks)
      • Facilities for storing animal wastes (slurry pits and tanks, dungsteads)
      • Facilities for collecting and storing silage effluent (pads and tanks)
      • Facilities for storing and handling pesticides (storage sheds, filling and rinseate collection areas)
    • These sources pose environmental threats due to concentrating large amounts of potential pollutants in a compact area
    • Minimizing pollution risks depends on properly designing, constructing, and managing facilities

    Designing and Managing Facilities

    • Design principles:
      • Contain pollutants and prevent uncontrolled release to the environment
      • Provide adequate waste storage capacities
      • Ensure structural integrity
      • Consider site location and soil conditions
    • Construction practices:
      • Follow accepted engineering standards and procedures
      • Select resistant construction materials
      • Ensure proper supervision and inspection
    • Government agencies provide design guidelines and specifications for facilities

    Non-Point Sources of Agricultural Pollution

    • Non-point sources of pollution:
      • Land areas where agricultural production takes place
      • Diffuse nature of pollution makes it difficult to identify precise origins
    • Transportation agents:
      • Precipitation excess and snowmelt (surface runoff and interflow)
      • Wind (minor contribution)
      • Drainage water through the soil profile (groundwater)
    • Controlling non-point source pollution:
      • Preventing pollutants from leaving the production system (soil)
      • Keeping pollutants within the confines of the root zone and field edge

    Point Source Controls

    • Site selection:
      • Locate facilities away from surface waters and down gradient from nearby groundwater wells
      • Consider soil conditions (low organic matter, low shrink-swell potential, good compactability, etc.)
    • Sizing of structural facilities:
      • Determine design capacities based on pollutant generation rates and storage periods
      • Consider biochemical principles for facilities with treatment capabilities

    Non-Point Source (NPS) Controls

    • Agricultural NPS pollution controls:
      • Managerial, structural, or vegetative practices
      • Objective: prevent or reduce the availability, release, or transport of pollutants to receiving waters
      • Best Management Practices (BMPs):
        • Most effective and practicable control techniques for specific farm characteristics and pollution problems
        • Consider climate, soils, and topography

    Land Application of Wastes

    • Land application of wastes:
      • Economical, practical, and environmentally sustainable method for managing agricultural wastes
      • Recycles valuable nutrients and organic matter
      • Design and management principles:
        • Apply wastes at correct rates and times
        • Use correct methodology
        • Consider hydrologic and agronomic principles
        • Limiting factors: hydraulic loading, organic loading, nutrient loading, or metal loadings

    Codes of Practice for Land Application of Animal and Other Wastes

    • Typical code of good practice:
      • Apply wastes at rates that take account of crop nutrient requirements and soil fertility levels
      • Use regular soil and slurry testing to determine nutrient needs and supplies
      • Avoid applying wastes on wet or waterlogged soils, frozen or snow-covered soils, or areas near surface waters and groundwater wells
      • Check weather forecasts before applying wastes
      • Use calibrated application equipment and operate it according to specification
      • Minimize odor emissions

    Agricultural Air Pollution Control

    • Major air pollutants from agriculture:

      • Odorous emissions related to storage and handling of animal wastes

    • Three main areas with which odors are associated:

      • Housing/yard area
      • Waste treatment/holding area
      • Waste utilization area

    • Controlling odors:

      • Practices associated with good animal husbandry
      • Maintenance of mechanical apparatus for waste removal
      • Ventilation and temperature control in buildings
      • Keeping yards clean of animal wastes and spilled feeds
      • Minimizing odor generation and dispersing odors at non-objectionable levels### Air Emissions Control

    • Incineration should be considered as a method of air emissions control under certain circumstances, such as avoiding spreading on weekends and holidays, and avoiding the use of application techniques that tend to atomize wastes or disperse them into the atmosphere.

    Compounds Classification

    • Organic compounds: petrol, dry cleaning agents
    • Inorganic compounds: ammonia
    • Particulate compounds: boiler flue gases

    NOx Emissions Control

    • Urea is preferable to ammonia as a method of controlling NOx emissions.
    • Sulphur and NOx are present and are harmful pollutants in industrial air emissions because they can cause acid rain and respiratory problems.

    Agricultural Pollution Control

    • Obstacles to agricultural pollution control include:
      • Incineration and its potential to spread pollutants on weekends and holidays
      • Prevailing winds directing pollutants towards neighboring housing and population centers
      • Application techniques that atomize wastes or disperse them into the atmosphere

    Odor Control in Activated Sludge Effluent Treatment Plants

    • Possible sources of odors in activated sludge effluent treatment plants:
      • Wastewater treatment process
      • Sludge handling and disposal
      • Plant operations and maintenance
    • Ways to control odors:
      • Implementing odor control measures such as covering treatment units and using odor-reducing technologies
      • Improving plant operations and maintenance practices
      • Optimizing wastewater treatment processes

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    Description

    This quiz covers guidelines for minimizing environmental impact when applying waste, including proper equipment use, buffer zones, and odor emission minimization.

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