Recycling asbestos waste

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for processing asbestos waste in order to subsequently recycle a constituent material of said asbestos waste.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: RECOVERY OF ASBESTOS WASTE

[0003] Technical field

[0004] [1] This disclosure relates to the field of asbestos waste and the recovery of its constituent materials as raw materials.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] [2] Asbestos is a material that has been widely used since the 1950s thanks to its exceptional physicochemical properties: flammability (above 1000°C), thermal insulation, acoustic insulation and electrical insulation, good mechanical resistance, rot-proof, etc.

[0007] [3] Subsequently, it was shown that asbestos fibers cause lung cancer in humans. The use of asbestos is now banned in a large number of countries, including France. In France, an asbestos diagnosis before work is mandatory for any building constructed for which a building permit was issued before 01 / 07 / 1997. If asbestos is present, operations to remove the asbestos in the form of waste are undertaken before work begins.

[0008] [4] There are two main types of asbestos waste:

[0009] - free asbestos waste, which comes from flocking, insulation, materials and equipment of operators (bags, tools and accessories, etc.) containing asbestos fibers that can easily be released into the atmosphere,

[0010] - asbestos waste bound to a binding material (asbestos cement, tiles, vinyl, etc.) which is likely to release asbestos fibers if the binding material is physically or chemically degraded.

[0011] [5] Currently, the treatment of asbestos waste depends on the type of waste:

[0012] - asbestos waste bound to a binding material is stored by burial in approved centers of the Non-Hazardous Waste Storage Facility (ISDND) type, is stored in approved centers of the Hazardous Waste Storage Facility (ISDD) type or vitrified, and

[0013] - free asbestos waste is stored in approved centers such as Hazardous Waste Storage Facilities (ISDD) or vitrified.

[0014] For cost reasons, landfill storage is preferred to vitrification.

[0015] [6] In order to protect populations from the risk of asbestos fibers being disseminated into the environment, asbestos waste is packaged in double-bagged construction bags or on film-wrapped pallets. Once sealed, the double-bagged construction bags and film-wrapped pallets are completely waterproof. The sealed double-bagged construction bags and film-wrapped pallets are then transported to specialized facilities for processing. To prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the air breathed by those in charge of this waste, the sealed double-bagged construction bags and film-wrapped pallets are not opened in the Non-Hazardous Waste Storage Facility, the Hazardous Waste Storage Facility or the vitrification plant.

[0016] [7] Currently in France, more than 570,000 tonnes of asbestos waste are generated annually by the construction industry and 99% of this asbestos waste is stored by landfill. As the landfill storage of asbestos waste is permanent, a considerable volume of earth is lost each year.

[0017] [8] In addition, double-lined construction bags and film-wrapped pallets contain petroleum-based materials, such as polypropylene. Thus, a significant amount of petroleum-based materials is also stored by landfill. Landfilling asbestos waste therefore involves significant consumption of raw materials from a non-renewable source and produced by an industry that emits a significant amount of greenhouse gases.

[0018] [9] Furthermore, due to the presence of asbestos, there is currently no industrial process for recycling the materials constituting asbestos waste and thus recovering them. Given the significant quantity of asbestos waste processed each year, the absence of a process for recovering their constituent materials not only constitutes a very significant loss of raw materials but also constitutes a real ecological issue.

[0019]

[0010] Consequently, although effective for treating asbestos waste, the storage of asbestos waste by burial is a process with a significant ecological impact.

[0020]

[0011] There is therefore a need for a process to reduce the ecological impact of the treatment of asbestos waste.

[0021]

[0012] The Applicant has developed a process which meets this need.

[0022] Summary

[0023]

[0013] A method is proposed for treating asbestos waste comprising a constituent material and an asbestos part in a space suitable for treating asbestos waste, said method comprising the following steps: a) selection of the asbestos waste from the waste in a double-bag site bag or a filmed pallet, in particular a double-bag site bag, b) separation of the asbestos part and the constituent material of the asbestos waste to obtain:

[0024] - on the one hand, a constituent material free of asbestos, and possibly

[0025] - on the other hand, the asbestos part.

[0026]

[0014] The Applicant has found that the vast majority of asbestos waste present in double-bagged construction site bags or on a film-wrapped pallet contains an asbestos part which can be easily separated from the constituent material of the asbestos waste. Because of this asbestos part, the constituent materials of this asbestos waste must be stored or vitrified even though they are not considered dangerous as such within the meaning of the environmental code and could be recycled after separation from the asbestos part. In addition, because of this asbestos part, a large volume of waste must be stored or vitrified even though the volume of this asbestos part is often much smaller than the volume of the asbestos waste. The method of the present invention results from this observation.

[0027]

[0015] Advantageously, by selecting the asbestos waste during the selection step a) and by recovering a constituent material free of asbestos at the end of the separation step b), the treatment method of the present invention makes it possible to subsequently recover this constituent material by recycling it. The treatment method of the present invention therefore allows the establishment of a virtuous circle of circular economy.

[0028]

[0016] Furthermore, by recovering the asbestos-containing part at the end of step b), the treatment method of the present invention advantageously makes it possible to reduce the volume of waste to be stored.

[0029]

[0017] Thus, thanks to the treatment method of the invention, the ecological impact of the treatment of asbestos waste by storage is reduced.

[0030]

[0018] The treatment method of the invention also makes it possible to reduce vitrification costs by reducing the volume of waste to be vitrified. Indeed, thanks to the treatment method of the invention only the asbestos-containing part can be vitrified.

[0031]

[0019] A method for recovering a constituent material of asbestos waste is also proposed, comprising the following step: c) recycling the constituent material free of asbestos obtained at the end of step b) of the method for treating asbestos waste as described above.

[0032]

[0020] There is also provided a method for treating an asbestos-containing part of asbestos waste comprising the following step: d1) packaging the asbestos-containing part in a double-bag site bag, sealing the double-bag site bag and then storing the sealed double-bag site bag in a center approved for storing asbestos waste, or d2) vitrification of the asbestos-containing part, in which the asbestos-containing part is obtained at the end of step b) of the method for treating asbestos waste as described above.

[0033] Description of the embodiments

[0034]

[0021] According to a first aspect, there is proposed a method for treating asbestos waste comprising a constituent material and an asbestos part in a space suitable for treating asbestos waste, said method comprising the following steps: a) selection of the asbestos waste from the waste in a double-bag site bag or a filmed pallet, in particular a double-bag site bag, b) separation of the asbestos part and the constituent material of the asbestos waste to obtain:

[0035] - on the one hand, a constituent material free of asbestos, and possibly,

[0036] - on the other hand, the asbestos part.

[0022] For the purposes of the present invention, "asbestos waste" means waste comprising asbestos fibers that may be released into the atmosphere. According to the codification list as presented in Decision No. 2014 / 955 / EU of December 18, 2014, asbestos waste is waste that may have code 15 01 01, code 16 01 11, code 16 02 12, code 16 02 13, code 16 02 15, code 17 02 04, code 17 03 01, code 17 06 01, code 17 06 05, code 17 09 03 or combinations thereof.

[0037]

[0023] For example, the asbestos waste may be a burner valve, a boiler, a hot plate, an oven, a fire damper, a purifier, an extractor, a window, an air filter, an oven, construction equipment, an electrical insulator, a false ceiling seal, a panel seal, a plate seal, a motor, a fire door, an elevator door, a mechanical beam, a radiator, a clothes dryer, and combinations thereof, in particular the asbestos waste may be a boiler, a mechanical beam, a window, an electrical insulator, a motor and combinations thereof.

[0038]

[0024] For the purposes of the present invention, "asbestos-containing part" means an element of asbestos waste comprising asbestos. For example, the asbestos-containing part may be chosen from a powder comprising asbestos, a paste comprising asbestos, a gasket comprising asbestos, a braid comprising asbestos, a resin comprising asbestos and combinations thereof.

[0039]

[0025] The powder comprising asbestos may, for example, be chosen from a coating, a facade coating, a fire protection plaster coating, an adhesive mortar, a fire protection mortar, a refractory mortar, a molding powder and combinations thereof.

[0040]

[0026] The asbestos-containing paste may be, for example, selected from a glue, a coating, a mastic, a foam, a jointing paste, a paint and combinations thereof.

[0041]

[0027] Typically, the braid comprising asbestos may be selected from a strip, a bead, a cord, a blanket, a gland, a tape, a fabric, a braid and combinations thereof.

[0042]

[0028] According to a particular embodiment, the asbestos part is chosen from a window joint paste, a boiler braid, a mechanical beam paint, a rivet joint, an electrical insulator resin, a motor joint, a klingerite catenary insulator pellet and their combinations.

[0043]

[0029] The material constituting the waste may be from the family of metallic materials, the family of organic materials, the family of inorganic materials, the family of plastic materials or the family of composite materials, in particular from the family of metallic materials, the family of organic materials or the family of inorganic materials, more particularly from the family of metallic materials.

[0044]

[0030] Wood is an example of an organic material. Iron, copper, steel, stainless steel, and aluminum are examples of metallic materials. Ceramics and glass are examples of inorganic materials. These materials are ideally suited for use in the method of the present invention because they can be easily separated from the asbestos-containing part.

[0045]

[0031] Different constituent materials free of asbestos can be obtained at the end of step b), they can therefore be divided according to their family at the end of step b).

[0046]

[0032] For example, it is thus possible to separately recover the materials constituting a window, i.e. the aluminum of the frame and the glass of the glazing, in order to recycle them separately later.

[0047]

[0033] For the purposes of the present invention, "space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste" means an open or closed space in which an asbestos removal operator can carry out steps a) and b) of the method of the invention while respecting the strict safety rules relating to the treatment of asbestos waste. This space may comply with Decree No. 2012-639 of May 4, 2012, Articles 4412-94 to 4412-148 of the Labor Code, the Order of April 8, 2013 or combinations thereof.

[0048]

[0034] The space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste can be positioned in a center approved for storing asbestos waste, in an asbestos waste vitrification plant or on an asbestos removal site, in particular in a center approved for storing asbestos waste.

[0049]

[0035] By positioning the space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste on an asbestos removal site, it is possible to limit the quantity of waste sent to an approved center for storing asbestos waste or to a vitrification plant. This advantageous solution may, however, have certain disadvantages. Indeed, the asbestos removal site may lack space to accommodate the space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste because it may be located in an urban environment. In addition, the site may lack qualified personnel to effectively carry out steps a) and b) of the method of the invention.

[0050]

[0036] By positioning the space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste in an approved center or in a vitrification plant, these drawbacks are advantageously overcome. Indeed, the approved center and the vitrification plant generally have sufficient space to accommodate the space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste and are suitable for efficiently carrying out steps a) and b) of the method of the invention.

[0051]

[0037] The center approved for storing asbestos waste may be a Hazardous Waste Storage Facility, ISDD, or a Non-Hazardous Waste Storage Facility, ISDND.

[0052]

[0038] The Hazardous Waste Storage Facility is defined in the decree of December 30, 2002 relating to the storage of hazardous waste. The Non-Hazardous Waste Storage Facility is defined in the decree of February 15, 2016 relating to non-hazardous waste storage facilities.

[0053]

[0039] The space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste can be included in a mobile asbestos removal unit or in a fixed asbestos removal unit.

[0040] A mobile asbestos removal unit is suitable for an asbestos removal site, an approved center or a vitrification plant, in particular for an asbestos removal site. A fixed asbestos removal unit is suitable for an approved center or a vitrification plant.

[0054]

[0041] The space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste may include a dirty area, a decontamination shower, an intermediate compartment, a hygiene shower, a clean area and a technical room, in particular the space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste may include a mobile decontamination unit in accordance with specifications ED 6244 of April 2020.

[0055]

[0042] The dirty area, the decontamination shower, the intermediate compartment, the hygiene shower, the clean area and the technical room may be as defined in the specifications ED 6244 of April 2020.

[0056]

[0043] The double-bag construction site bag ("big bag" according to the English term and the usual term of the person skilled in the art) in which the asbestos waste is selected meets the criterion(s) of the national legislation in force concerning the transport and / or storage of asbestos waste. For example, in France, this is the ADR regulation.

[0057]

[0044] Thus, according to one embodiment, the double-bag construction site bag can be a double package that is completely waterproof once closed and on which appears a label informing of the presence of asbestos waste. In France, this labeling is defined in decree n°88-466 of April 28, 1988 as amended.

[0058]

[0045] The filmed pallet from which the asbestos waste is selected meets the criterion(s) of the national legislation in force concerning the transport and / or storage of asbestos waste. For example, in France, this is the ADR regulation.

[0059]

[0046] Thus, according to one embodiment, the filmed pallet may comprise a double package which is completely watertight once closed and on which appears a label informing of the presence of asbestos waste. In France, this labeling is defined in decree no. 88-466 of April 28, 1988, as amended.

[0060]

[0047] Step b) of separation is a technical step which must be carried out while respecting the strict safety rules relating to the treatment of asbestos waste. It can be carried out by chemical means, physical means, thermal means or their combinations, in particular by physical means.

[0061]

[0048] Step b) of separation carried out by physical means may comprise a step of separation of the asbestos-containing part from the material constituting the asbestos waste by mechanical brushing, by cutting, by dismantling, by mechanical stripping or their combinations.

[0062]

[0049] For example, mechanical brushing can be carried out using a wire brush.

[0063]

[0050] Mechanical stripping can be carried out using a grinder, a scraper, adhesive paper, in particular a woven adhesive or combinations thereof.

[0051] A saw, in particular a diamond saw, a cutter, a pair of chisels, a wood chisel, a brick chisel, a mason's riffle, a flat chisel, cutting pliers or combinations thereof are suitable for cutting.

[0064]

[0052] Disassembly can be carried out by a hammer, screwdriver, drill or combinations thereof.

[0065]

[0053] Step b) of separation carried out thermally may comprise a step of heating the asbestos waste to a temperature enabling the asbestos part to be detached from the material constituting the asbestos waste.

[0066]

[0054] A person skilled in the art will be able to identify the temperature at which the asbestos part can detach from the constituent material of the asbestos waste. He may, for example, heat the asbestos waste in a furnace to a certain temperature and attempt to detach the asbestos part from the constituent material while keeping the asbestos waste in the furnace. He may repeat this operation, in 5°C increments, until the temperature is identified.

[0067]

[0055] Step b) of separation carried out by physical or thermal means makes it possible to obtain on the one hand the constituent material of the asbestos-free asbestos waste and on the other hand the asbestos-containing part.

[0068]

[0056] Step b) of separation carried out chemically may comprise a step of immersing the asbestos waste in an acid solution, a step of immersing the asbestos waste in a base solution or combinations thereof.

[0069]

[0057] This immersion step makes it possible to dissolve the asbestos-containing part and to obtain the constituent material of the asbestos-free asbestos waste.

[0070]

[0058] The acid of the acid solution may be a strong acid selected from hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and mixtures thereof. Advantageously, these acids are known to dissolve asbestos, in particular asbestos whose mineralogical group is chrysotile. Furthermore, they are inexpensive and easy to handle in accordance with safety regulations.

[0071]

[0059] The base of the basic solution may be a strong base chosen from sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH) and mixtures thereof. Advantageously, these bases are known to dissolve asbestos, in particular asbestos whose mineralogical group is amphibole.

[0072]

[0060] The temperature of the acid solution may be between 20°C and 200°C, in particular between 50°C and 100°C, more particularly between 60°C and 80°C. The temperature of the base solution may be between 100°C and 250°C, in particular between 150°C and 200°C. Increasing the temperature of the acid solution and the base solution makes it possible to accelerate the kinetics of the dissolution of the asbestos and advantageously reduce the duration of step b).

[0073]

[0061] The asbestos-free constituent material obtained at the end of step b) can be used in a step of verifying the absence of asbestos.

[0062] This verification step makes it possible to confirm that the constituent material is asbestos-free and can be subsequently recovered.

[0074]

[0063] For example, this verification step can be carried out by visual observation.

[0075]

[0064] The asbestos-free material obtained at the end of step b) can advantageously be recovered by being recycled.

[0076]

[0065] Thus, according to another aspect, a method is proposed for recovering a constituent material of asbestos waste comprising the following step: c) recycling the constituent material free of asbestos obtained at the end of step b) of the method for treating asbestos waste as described above.

[0077]

[0066] The recycling of materials is known to those skilled in the art. They will be able to adapt step c) according to the family of the constituent material that is free of asbestos.

[0078]

[0067] For example, step c) of recycling glass may comprise the following sub-steps:

[0079] - crushing and transformation into cullet of glass,

[0080] - melting the cullet in a furnace at a temperature of 1400°C, and

[0081] - manufacture of glass objects from molten cullet, in particular bottles, jars, flasks, pots or glazing.

[0082]

[0068] Step c) of recycling the metal may comprise the following sub-steps:

[0083] - melting the metal in a furnace to obtain a metal ingot, and

[0084] - manufacturing of objects from metal ingots.

[0085]

[0069] The method for treating asbestos waste of the present invention can make it possible to separately obtain the asbestos part at the end of step b). This asbestos part must be treated as asbestos waste.

[0086]

[0070] Thus, a method for treating an asbestos-containing part of asbestos waste is also proposed, comprising the following step: d 1) packaging the asbestos-containing part in a double-seal site bag, sealing the double-seal site bag and then storing the sealed double-seal site bag in a center approved for storing asbestos waste, or d2) vitrification of the asbestos-containing part, in which the asbestos-containing part is obtained at the end of step b) of the method for treating asbestos waste as described above.

[0087]

[0071] Steps d1) of storage and d2) of vitrification are known to those skilled in the art. They will know how to implement them.

[0088] Example

[0089]

[0072] In a space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste located in a center approved for storing asbestos waste, 3 double-bag site bags containing a total of approximately 1200 tons of asbestos waste were opened.

[0073] The asbestos waste present in the 3 double-bag site bags were windows with wooden frames, windows with steel frames and boiler elements.

[0090]

[0074] The separation carried out physically by the team of technicians made it possible to obtain, on the one hand, different constituent materials of asbestos-free asbestos waste and, on the other hand, asbestos-containing parts.

[0091]

[0075] The absence of asbestos on the various constituent materials was visually observed.

[0092]

[0076] The constituent materials were glass, wood, cast iron and steel and represented a total weight of approximately 960 tonnes, or 80% of the weight of the asbestos waste.

[0093]

[0077] These constituent materials can then be recycled because they are asbestos-free.

[0078] The asbestos-containing parts were restocked in double-bagged construction site bags. The physical separation made it possible to reduce the volume of asbestos waste by a range of 50% (windows) to 90% (boiler elements).

[0094]

[0079] This example therefore highlights the interest of the method of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for treating asbestos waste comprising a constituent material and an asbestos part in a space suitable for treating asbestos waste, said method comprising the following steps: a) selection of the asbestos waste from the waste in a double-bagged construction site bag or a filmed pallet, b) separation of the asbestos part and the constituent material of the asbestos waste to obtain: - on the one hand, a constituent material free of asbestos, and possibly - on the other hand, the asbestos part.

2. Treatment method according to claim 1 in which the asbestos waste is a waste having, according to the waste codification list as presented in Decision No. 2014 / 955 / EU of December 18, 2014, the code 15 01 01, the code 16 01 11, the code 16 02 12, the code 16 02 13, the code 16 02 15, the code 17 02 04, the code 17 03 01, the code 17 06 01, the code 17 06 05, the code 17 09 03 or their combinations.

3. A treatment method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the asbestos-containing part is selected from a powder comprising asbestos, a paste comprising asbestos, a gasket comprising asbestos, a braid comprising asbestos, a resin comprising asbestos and combinations thereof.

4. A treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the asbestos part is selected from a window joint paste, a boiler braid, a mechanical beam paint, a rivet joint, an electrical insulator resin, a motor joint, a klingerite catenary insulator pellet and combinations thereof.

5. Treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the constituent material is from the family of metallic materials, the family of organic materials, the family of inorganic materials, the family of plastic materials or the family of composite materials.

6. Treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the space suitable for the treatment of asbestos waste is positioned in a center approved for storing asbestos waste, in an asbestos waste vitrification plant or on an asbestos removal site.

7. Treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the adapted space comprises a dirty zone, a decontamination shower, an intermediate compartment, a hygiene shower, a clean zone and a technical room.

8. Treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the double-bag construction site bag is a double package which is completely waterproof once closed and on which there is labelling informing of the presence of asbestos waste.

9. Treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in which step b) of separation is carried out chemically, physically, thermally or combinations thereof.

10. Treatment method according to claim 9 in which step b) of separation carried out by physical means comprises a step of separation of the asbestos part from the constituent material of the asbestos waste by mechanical brushing, by cutting, by dismantling, by mechanical stripping or their combinations.

11. Treatment method according to claim 9 in which step b) of separation carried out thermally comprises a step of heating the asbestos waste to a temperature allowing the asbestos part to be detached from the constituent material of the asbestos waste.

12. Treatment method according to claim 9 in which step b) of separation carried out chemically comprises a step of immersing the asbestos waste in an acid solution, a step of immersing the asbestos waste in a base solution or their combinations.

13. Treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the asbestos-free constituent material obtained at the end of step b) is used in a step of verifying the absence of asbestos.

14. A method for recovering a constituent material of asbestos waste comprising the following step: c) recycling the constituent material free of asbestos obtained at the end of step b) of the method for treating asbestos waste as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method of treating an asbestos-containing part of asbestos waste comprising the following step: d1) packaging the asbestos-containing part in a double-seal site bag, sealing the double-seal site bag and then storing the sealed double-seal site bag in a center approved for storing asbestos waste, or d2) vitrification of the asbestos-containing part, in which the asbestos-containing part is obtained at the end of step b) of the method of treating asbestos waste as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.