• Energy Research

A new procedure based on switchable hydrophilicity solvents (SHS) was proposed for polyethylene and aluminium recovery from food aseptic packaging.

Abstract In order to evaluate the influence of pellet quality classes, as defined by the ISO 17225-2, particulate matter and gaseous pollutants were characterized for different class fueled pellets in the emissions of a stove at partial and nominal load. Total suspended particulate (TSP) was sampled with a dilution system, then characterized for total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (IC), water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the main soluble ions. Gas monitoring shows that CO and NO emission factors are higher for lower quality pellet. Low quality pellet emission factors are also higher for TSP and soluble ions, thus the pollutants linked to pellet ash content. On the other hand, carbonaceous component emission factors are higher for higher quality pellet; nevertheless, at nominal load, lower quality pellet emits more toxic PAHs. The higher stove power restricts instead the emissions of incomplete combustion products: CO, TSP and carbonaceous components. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) allows to have a complete overview of the obtained results: the effect of operating phase on emission factors is less strong then pellet quality, even if the pollutants produced by low heat power are more hazardous than the ones connected with pellet quality. In conclusion, the study provides not only quantitative information on the influence of pellet quality classes on stove emissions, but also their chemical fingerprint. Moreover, it indicates that the amount of hazardous emissions is also linked to stove power.

A simple device consisting of a glass pyrolysis chamber fitted for a commercial resistively heated pyrolysis probe and connected to a solvent desorption tube for air monitoring was applied to off-line pyrolysis under silylating conditions of humic acids (soil, lake) and coals. Samples were flash pyrolysed at 700 degrees C in the presence of excess hexamethyldisilazane, and evolved products were swept off by a nitrogen stream and trapped onto a charcoal filter from where they were desorbed with dichloromethane and analysed by gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry. Humic acids afforded trimethylsilyl (TMS) ethers of phenols, 2-methoxyphenols (guaiacols), 2,6-dimethoxyphenols (syringols), and dihydroxy and trihydroxybenzenes as major products. TMSoxy benzenes were the principal products observed from pyrolysis/silylation of coals. In comparison with conventional pyrolysis, the in-situ derivatisation process enhances the levels of phenols with respect to hydrocarbons and improves the GC separation of isomers (e.g. meta- from para-cresol). With respect to tetramethylammonium hydroxide thermochemolysis, pyrolysis/silylation operates under milder conditions and permits discrimination between free and methylated hydroxy groups. The performance of the method for the quantitative determination of evolved product is described. Yields of evolved silylated mono and dihydroxybenzenes occur in the mg/g range with relative standard deviations generally between 16 and 30%.

Abstract Standard material flow analysis (MFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) models were combined to analyze the historical evolution of greenhouse gas emissions of Italian aluminum over the years 1960–2009 with the aim of providing key features to Italy for prioritizing future industrial and environmental policies. Annual greenhouse gas emissions were calculated for primary and electrical energy, process-related and transportation. Cradle-to-gate emission factors were defined per ton of aluminum produced and used to quantify the cumulative carbon footprint. Consolidation of the model was carried out at domestic and foreign levels for aluminum production in order to analyze the shift in emissions transfers between the location of production and that of use. Overall, average percent contributions from the main CO2e-related process reflect the trend of the global aluminum industry in upgrading to standardized production processes worldwide. Cumulative carbon footprint of Italian aluminum was estimated in about 375 MtCO2e, of which only 188 MtCO2e is from domestic production. Because Italy is a net importer of aluminum, greenhouse gas emissions from the final use of aluminum have increased the impact of domestic production by 140% in the last decade. A potential carbon emissions savings of ∼160 MtCO2e could result if the current anthropogenic aluminum in-use stock will be quantitatively recycled. The study showed potentials for combining MFA and LCA to improve completeness when approaching environmental issues. The outcomes revealed chances for decreasing the contribution to climate change from the aluminum industry and allowed the setting of country indicators usable in future national LCA studies.

Many examples of symbiosis processes studied within the context of industrial research could be applied in Italian productive system, so as to make related environmental improvement an attractive process for industrial stakeholders. By now, Industrial Symbiosis is not systematically applied because of some difficulties mainly related to regulations and to a culture of collaboration (among companies, and between companies and industrial research world) that must still be further developed. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the existing opportunities in the Emilia-Romagna territory and to analyze in terms of methodology and results some useful experiences and realized and ongoing projects in this area for the development of the regional system, intended to apply Industrial Symbiosis and to spread a circular economy approach. Pilot projects, undertaken or in progress in Emilia-Romagna region, are described and analyzed in terms of methodology and results. They aim to study the potential for the application of circular economy by closing production cycles The regulatory framework at national and regional level is analyzed in order to identify critical points and obstacles to the diffusion of Industrial Symbiosis practices. The paper analysis method also includes the evaluation of the opportunities resulting from European funding programmes and from national strategies related to the new European Cohesion Policy. The results of this study, based at different levels of analysis (background experiences, regulatory framework and strategic opportunities) are territorial guidelines, useful for Emilia-Romagna institutions to approach Industrial Symbiosis methodology. This method has been also suggested within the waste plan of Emilia-Romagna Region as interesting and “useful to the reduction of industrial waste quantity”. As a conclusion, symbiosis has been proved to be a quite effective tool to create new economic growth opportunities: regional and national policies, together with technical experts and entrepreneurs, must work towards the completion of cycles within the production system, in order to foster circular economy. It is needed an effort by all actors of the process (especially institutions) in order to overcome regulatory and cultural issues.

The amount of waste produced and the control of separate collection are crucial issues for the planning of a territorial Integrated Waste Management System, enabling the allocation of each sorted waste fraction to the proper treatment and recycling processes. The present study focuses on assessing indicators of different waste management systems in areas characterized by different territorial conditions. The investigated case study concerns the municipalities of Emilia Romagna (northern Italy), which present a rather uniform socioeconomic situation, but a variety of geographic, urban and waste management characteristics. A survey of waste generation and collection rates was carried out, and correlated with the different territorial conditions, classifying the municipalities according to altitude and population density. The best environmental performances, in terms of high separate collection rate, were found on average in rural areas in the plain, while the lowest waste generation was associated with rural hill towns.

Each European Member State must comply with Directive 2000/53/EC recycling and recovery targets by 2015, set to 85% and 95%, respectively. This paper reports a shredder campaign trial developed and performed in Italy at the beginning of 2008. It turns out to be the first assessment about the critical aspects belonging to the Italian End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) reverse supply chain involving 18 dismantling plants, a shredder plant and 630 ELV representatives of different categories of vehicles treated in Italy during 2006. This trial aims at improving the experimental knowledge related to ELVs added waste, pre-treatment, part reuse, recycling and final metal separation and car fluff disposal. Finally, the study also focuses on the calculation of the effective Italian ELV recycling rate, which results equal to 80.8%, and auto shredder residue (ASR) characterization. According to the results obtained in this work, ASR still contains up to 8% of metals and 40% of polymers that could be recovered. Moreover, physical-chemical analysis showed a Lower Heat Value of almost 20,000 kJ/kg and revealed the presence of pollutants such as heavy metals, mineral oils, PCBs and hydrocarbons.

Abstract The aim of this work is to evaluate how the environmental impacts of the Romagna Compost composting plant (central Italy) have changed as a consequence of its expansion and adaptation. This led to a considerable evolution of the plant, from a traditional composting process to an integrated anaerobic-aerobic system. For this purpose, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was chosen. Inventory analysis was completed using mostly primary data supplied by the company. Plant performances were evaluated for each year of operation and by grouping data to analyze the main stages (storage and pretreatment of the organic waste, anaerobic fermentation, composting, etc.). The modelling was performed using SimaPro software and the ReCiPe analysis method. Seven scenarios were created to simulate the seven-year process. The aim of the study was to assess whether and how the introduction of anaerobic fermenters to produce energy from biowastes has led to a real improvement of the process sustainability with an overall decrease in environmental impacts. After analyzing in detail the performances of the plant, biowaste transportation and the avoided landfill disposal were also assessed. The main problems connected with transportation, and environmental benefits resulting from the avoided disposal of waste, were identified and in order to evaluate the robustness of the model, a sensitivity analysis using the Monte Carlo method was performed.