Method for using and recovering non-hazardous organic and inorganic industrial solid waste

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for using and recovering, and thus solving the problem of, the accumulation of nonhazardous organic or inorganic industrial solid waste, which is treated using a method of mixing with one or more types of strengthened aqueous solution, in different doses and in accordance with site requirements, transforming the waste into a stable material, such that it can be used in different areas, such as roadworks, forestry works and construction, among others. The method helps reduce carbon footprint and, in social terms, improves the quality of life of inhabitants of rural and urban areas by increasing road network connectivity. This solution provides a high-value service, transforming the industry by generating socioeconomic and environmental impact.

Description

[0001] Method for the use and recovery of non-hazardous organic and inorganic industrial solid waste

[0002] Technical object

[0003] The innovative treatment of non-hazardous organic and inorganic solid industrial waste primarily involves recovering and reducing a large portion of the waste produced by industry, which accumulates by the ton in storage yards, either at production plants or in warehouses located near communities, in addition to minimizing the consumption of non-renewable natural resources.

[0004] The method consists of treating various solid wastes with one or several types of reinforced aqueous solution in different proportions and doses according to the requirements of the work. The mixture of waste and solution produces a material that is resistant to wear and erosion, and also has protective characteristics for unpaved roads, earth slopes, firebreaks, among others.

[0005] Of the various mixtures achieved with the method, it can be applied in the road, construction, urbanization and civil works, forestry and rural works sectors. Pavements can be built in different thicknesses with a simpler application method on the ground since it requires less earthworks than traditional paving systems, therefore, the impact is lower as is the construction cost.

[0006] The system's versatility also allows the forestry, agricultural, and rural sectors to build firebreak layers with high coverage. This layer prevents the growth of vegetation and weeds and persists over time, thereby insulating populated areas and forests from fires more effectively and with less maintenance.

[0007] Technical problem

[0008] Currently, the world generates approximately 1.4 trillion tons of industrial solid waste annually, and by 2025 this figure is expected to increase to 2.2 trillion tons.

[0009] In Chile, in 2019, according to the Ministry of the Environment (MMA), waste generation was close to 20 million tons. Ninety-seven percent of this waste is non-hazardous, of which 55.6% is of industrial origin. Based on information reported in the Registry of Pollutant Emissions and Transfers (RETC) in 2019, 38.8% of the country's non-hazardous waste is generated in the Metropolitan Region, followed by the Antofagasta Region with 11.4%, Biobío with 11.1% of the national total, and Valparaíso with 7.3%. The extreme regions of Arica and Parinacota, Magallanes, Aysén, Tarapacá, and Coquimbo have the lowest amounts, with percentages under 1%.

[0010] According to the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC), the economic activity of generating, transmitting, and distributing electrical energy accounts for the largest share of non-hazardous industrial waste, with 18.9%, followed by the production of wood pulp, paper, and cardboard, with 8.2%.

[0011] Industrial processes involve the massive generation of a variety of non-hazardous solid waste, most of which is gradually accumulated on land adjacent to the plants, while others are burned or sedimented. The large volumes of waste involved are a constant concern and, at the same time, a need to minimize them. Burning and / or accumulation without further treatment have been the preferred option. Approximately 95% of the environmental impact of the pulp industry's value chain is due to the use of technology throughout its entire life cycle.

[0012] The production and processing of industrial products has largely contributed negatively to global warming and the progressive increase in greenhouse gases. For this reason, it is essential to shift toward an approach focused on development and innovation in the use of non-hazardous solid waste generated by industry in general.

[0013] The goal is to transform the industry from a linear, produce-and-dispose economy to a circular one that eliminates the concept of waste. It is estimated that incorporating these concepts into the industry would help reduce CO2 emissions by more than 9 million tons by 2050.

[0014] The strategic focus should be placed on reducing and optimizing non-hazardous organic and inorganic solid waste, promoting its reuse, recycling, and recovery to move toward a circular economy.

[0015] Annual generation of non-hazardous solid waste obtained from the cellulose process in various industries in Chile.

[0016] Table 1

[0017] Source: TERRAM Foundation

[0018] Description of what is known in the field Currently, non-hazardous industrial solid waste is revalued through different processes that transform it for use in other productive areas, such as base substrate through composting, soil stabilizer, alkaline amendments, filler material, manufacturing of vibratory systems, additive for cement manufacturing, among others. The current revaluation through the processes described above is not sufficient for the utilization of large volumes of accumulated waste, nor for the use of the wide range of waste generated by the industry.

[0019] State of the art

[0020] The objective of this innovative method is to solve the problem of the accumulation of non-hazardous solid organic and inorganic industrial waste, so that it can be revalued in other important areas that are lacking in terms of sustainability. Therefore, the method would help minimize the consumption of natural resources and reduce large volumes of non-hazardous solid waste generated by industry by using it in road works, urban development projects, civil works, forestry projects, and construction in general. It would allow the use of the aforementioned waste through treatment with one or more reinforced aqueous solutions dosed as required, applying it to fulfill various functions in any construction or engineering project, as detailed below.

[0021] As a non-structural protective layer: Pavements for open-air roads, dust eliminator, insulating layer for slopes to prevent vegetation growth and thus keep flames away from a potential fire and erosion caused by water, insulating layer for firebreaks to prevent vegetation growth and insulate from flames, protective, insulating and leveling layer for the interior of greenhouses.

[0022] For construction: Cycleways, airfields, recreational areas and public spaces, parking lots, sidewalks, sports fields, storage yards, among others.

[0023] For repairing pavements and uncovered roads: potholes, cracks, fissures, leveling layer for deteriorated roads.

[0024] Masonry: Brick making, decoration, stucco.

[0025] To name a few non-hazardous solid industrial waste, organic and inorganic, that can be treated through this innovative method are waste from cellulose production, biomass ash, mine tailings, wood and bark remains, organic waste present in forest stockpile yards, to name a few, these can be mixed together, with two or more wastes, and only uses one conditioning element which is the "reinforced aqueous solution", the method hardly discriminates the use of waste and the objective is only one, to reduce the carbon footprint by giving value to most of the waste and in turn to deliver a social good improving the quality of life of people with disposable resources, at a low cost compared to traditional solutions and with similar effectiveness. According to the above, the classifications and patent documents that are somewhat similar are cited as follows:

[0026] 1 ) C04B 7 / 02 Recycled aggregate from premixed concrete sludge and method for producing the same by adding more cement and incineration ash.

[0027] 2) C04B 7 / 26 Method for preparing solid waste cementing material using dry desulfurization ash and solid waste material.

[0028] 3) C04B 14 / 00 Method for producing an additive for a binder or a construction material, additive for a binder or the like.

[0029] 4) C04B 14 / 04 Engineering geopolymer composite (EGC) paving blocks with quaternary admixture.

[0030] 5) C04B 18 / 08 Secondary aluminum ash for concrete and method of treating it.

[0031] 6) C04B 18 / 30 Cementing material reinforcing agent with high mixing amount of fly ash, preparation method of cementing material reinforcing agent, concrete and concrete preparation method.

[0032] 7) C04B28 / 02 Synthesis of cementless fly ash-based binders.

[0033] 8) C04B 28 / 08 Cement-free self-leveling materials.

[0034] 9) C04B 33 / 135 Fly ash-based grouping material containing rare earth polishing powder is not valid, as well as the preparation method and application of fly ash-based grouping material.

[0035] 10) C10B 53 / 00 Procedure for the use of all kinds of waste.

[0036] 11 ) C09K 3 / 22 New dust suppressant with high dosage and high environmental protection property and method of use thereof.

[0037] 12) C09K 3 / 22 Polymeric composition for soil stabilization, dust control and slope erosion.

[0038] 13) E02B 3 / 12 Bank and slope lining and stabilization system.

[0039] 14) E02D 29 / 02 Procedure for forming an outer layer for planting vegetation on an earth slope.

[0040] 15) E02D 31 / 00 Polymeric waterproofing membrane.

[0041] In summary, for C04B classifications, the methods recycle premixed concrete waste, such as post-process sludge, combining it with incineration ash. Activating agents such as fly ash from biomass production, volcanic ash, steel slag, pozzolans, binders, among others, are also used. Geopolymers are also used and mixed with the aforementioned waste and other chemical compounds such as potassium hydroxide and potassium silicate, to name a few. These methods and materials are used as structural reinforcement for road paving, civil engineering, and construction projects.

[0042] C09K classifications are found within dust suppressants or dust mats for unpaved roads, soil stabilizers, and erosion control for earth slopes produced by water runoff using the following raw material components: Hydroxyethylcellulose, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerol, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, ammonium persulfate, and polyvinyl alcohol, among others. Polymers are also found as soil stabilizers and for stabilizing earth slopes.

[0043] CIP E02D procedures are found for covering earth slopes by planting vegetation on them or using polymer-based waterproofing membranes.

[0044] Similarly, there are methods that involve industrial equipment, which allow for the separation of residual materials to transform waste into fertilizer. Furthermore, in the construction sector, some waste, such as fly ash, is used to make vibratory plates.

[0045] The state of the art found and mentioned above requires several activating components and chemical elements, unconventional procedures for its application and, in some cases, not very environmentally friendly.

[0046] State of the art close

[0047] 1) Analysis of the effect of biomass ash on the carbonation of concrete using an accelerated chamber (Catholic University of Maulé, Chile)

[0048] 2) Ashes from the cellulose process and its use as fertilizer (Universidad de la Frontera, Chile)

[0049] 3) Evaluation of paper cellulose and coal ash as alternative insulating materials (National University of Colombia).

[0050] 4) Use of ashes from the cogeneration boiler in soil stabilization (University of Concepción, Chile).

[0051] 5) Evaluation of coal ash for soil stabilization by alkaline activation and application on unpaved roads (Universidad Señor de Sipán, Peru).

[0052] 6) Soil stabilization with lime and fly ash (Catholic University of Colombia).

[0053] 7) Recycling of tire waste as a pavement additive (Universidad de la Frontera de Chile).

[0054] 8) Design of a new asphalt mixture for the tread layer using waste from cellulose production (Universidad Austral de Chile).

[0055] According to the current state of the art, most of them use only fly ash produced by biomass boilers mixed with cement for soil stabilization.

[0056] As a summary of the state of the art of patents and nearby state of the art, they mostly use fly ash, which is the result of biomass production for soil stabilization by adding binding elements, slag, chemical elements, etc. No information was found on the use of a large amount of non-hazardous solid organic and inorganic industrial waste with a single conditioning element such as acrylic emulsion and that is used in a wide range of construction areas and a product as versatile as the present method is obtained.

[0057] Comparison of Alternative Solutions Regarding the Invention

[0058] Previous Solution

[0059] Invention Solutions

[0060] "The previous solution" (Table 2) is not sufficient to valorize all non-hazardous industrial solid waste compared to the "solution of the invention", the latter would allow the efficient use of large volumes of industrial waste and solve the problem of accumulation in warehouses and collection yards that are close to the population or in yards inside the waste generating plants themselves.

[0061] Technical advantages and disadvantages of the method of using non-hazardous industrial waste treated with reinforced aqueous solution (3).

[0062] Description of the figures

[0063] Figure 1: Represents a portion of solid waste.

[0064] Figure 2: Represents the conditioning element (reinforced aqueous solution)

[0065] Figure 3: Represents the result of the mixture between the waste and the aqueous solution.

[0066] Detailed description of the invention

[0067] The figure details the technical procedure for treating non-hazardous industrial solid waste (1), organic and inorganic, through a mixture with a non-toxic reinforced aqueous solution (2). This mixture (3), between these two elements, waste (1) + solution (2), results in a bond, adhering each fragment or particle of the waste through a cohesive reaction after the natural setting process, allowing the treated industrial waste (3) to acquire solidity and improve mechanically to be used in various areas such as road works, civil works, urbanization and construction works, among others.

[0068] To carry out the treatment method (3) only two components are required, on the one hand, there is the variety of “Non-Hazardous Solid Industrial Waste” (1) which are the result of industrial production and, on the other hand, there is the “Reinforced Aqueous Solution” (2) manufactured by specialists, the latter, a conditioning element, is what allows the improvement of the waste particles.

[0069] This technique can be applied to a wide range of non-hazardous industrial solid by-products (1 ), the proportion and dose for treatment (3) between waste (1 ) and type of solution (2), is determined according to the type of waste (1 ) and work requirements.

[0070] According to the research, it is obtained that the waste (1 ) presents a stable and firm behavior when treated independently (3) and when homogeneously mixing different wastes (3), the results demonstrate that each type or mixture of solid industrial waste treated (3) with the solution (2) fulfills a different objective, whether for road works, civil, forestry, urbanization, housing etc., this due to the chemical and physical composition of each by-product or solid non-hazardous industrial waste (1 ). It is essential, before applying the dose and the type of reinforced aqueous solution (2), to distinguish what type of waste will be treated (1 ), with this background the treated waste (3) can be allocated to a specific work or function.Before using industrial waste (1), it is necessary to first identify the process from which it is obtained, know the chemical composition, humidity, granulometry, organic matter content by calcination, pH and density of solid particles, among other analyses.

[0071] Characteristics of the reinforced aqueous solution

[0072] It consists of an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, high-performance water-based solution with additives designed to bond particles into a cohesive matrix. It is not classified as a hazardous chemical according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200. The solution's non-hazardous characteristics can be classified as: environmentally safe, non-corrosive, non-toxic, and non-flammable.

[0073] Example of prior analysis of non-hazardous industrial solid waste (1 )

[0074] Table Some examples of application of treated industrial solid waste (3)

[0075] As a non-structural protective layer for unpaved roads.

[0076] ° The treated mixture (3) protects the adjacent layers that are not paved from wear and tear caused by friction and erosion caused by wind and water runoff, in addition to waterproofing it.

[0077] » Prevents the suspension and spread of dust produced by vehicle traffic.

[0078] ° Improves vehicular flow.

[0079] ° It is not necessary to scarify the lower layers.

[0080] Protective layer for natural and artificial slopes.

[0081] ° The treated mixture (3) protects the adjacent layers from erosion caused by water runoff.

[0082] ° Waterproofs the adjacent layers.

[0083] ° Prevents the growth of vegetation by isolating the slope from the spread of flames in the event of a fire, acting as a firebreak.

[0084] ° It is not necessary to scarify the lower layers.

[0085] Construction of firewalls.

[0086] ° The treated mixture (3) prevents the growth of vegetation, weeds and organic material, isolating populated areas, property and forest land from the flames in the event of a fire.

[0087] ° It is not necessary to remove the lower layers.

[0088] In conclusion, this innovative and sustainable method, both nationally and globally, would set a precedent for recycling and managing the accumulation of a large majority of non-hazardous organic and inorganic industrial solid waste in the areas of road construction, civil engineering, forestry, and urban development, which have not sufficiently contributed to sustainability.

[0089] From a social perspective, it would improve the quality of life for residents in hard-to-reach areas, contributing to connectivity, improving traffic flow for both private and emergency vehicles, and helping to maintain better communication between neighbors.

[0090] In the event of a disaster, particularly a fire, the innovative system would allow for the construction of large expanses of firebreaks, preventing the spread of flames to populated areas and protecting the lives of residents and private property.

Claims

List of demands 1 . Treatment of non-hazardous solid industrial waste, organic and inorganic (3) allows to solve the problem of waste accumulation, through the use and recovery in various areas such as the road sector, civil works, forestry works, urbanization and construction in general; CHARACTERIZED because previously the industrial waste (1 ) are classified physically and chemically, subsequently they must be subjected to a study finished in a laboratory in order to find the optimal dose and type of reinforced aqueous solution (2) in various portions, so that the treated waste (3) with said superlative dose of solution (2) is applied and effectively fulfills a specific work or function. The efficiency of the optimal treated waste (3) is defined by wear, erosion, permeability and durability.

2. Treatment of non-hazardous organic and inorganic solid industrial waste (3) according to claim No. 1 CHARACTERIZED because it requires the incorporation of reinforced aqueous solution (2).

3. Treatment of non-hazardous organic and inorganic solid industrial waste (3) according to claim No. 1 CHARACTERIZED because the type and dose of reinforced aqueous solution (2) and application in situ, is determined according to the type of waste and construction requirements.

4. Treatment of non-hazardous organic and inorganic solid industrial waste (3) according to claim No. 3 CHARACTERIZED because the waste (1) requires prior chemical and physical characterization analysis to define the type and optimal dosage of reinforced aqueous solution (2) and subsequent application in situ.

5. Treatment of non-hazardous solid industrial waste, organic and inorganic (3) according to claim No. 4, CHARACTERIZED because the application in situ must be without rain and at an ambient temperature greater than 15°C for rapid curing.

6. Treatment of non-hazardous organic and inorganic solid industrial waste (3) according to claim No. 5 CHARACTERIZED because the good performance in its operation is determined by the curing process of 48 hours as a minimum time.

7. Treatment of non-hazardous solid industrial waste, organic and inorganic (3) according to claim No. 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the on-site maintenance is determined according to the type of waste (1) treated (3) and the requirement to which a specific surface is subjected.

8. Treatment of non-hazardous solid industrial waste, organic and inorganic (3) according to claim No. 6, CHARACTERIZED because once it has completed its useful life, it can be demolished and recycled to be used as filling material or for another purpose.

9. Treatment of non-hazardous solid industrial waste, organic and inorganic (3) according to claim No. 7, CHARACTERIZED because the thickness of the layer to be used is determined by the type of work, function and requirement to which it will be subjected.

10. Treatment of non-hazardous solid industrial waste, organic and inorganic (3) according to claim No. 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the existing, consolidated previous layer must and can remain unaltered before applying the optimal solution (3).

11. Treatment of non-hazardous organic and inorganic solid industrial waste (3) according to claim No. 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the protective layers constructed with the industrial waste (3) are considered as a flexible layer or pavement.

12. Treatment of industrial waste coming out in organic and inorganic hazardous waste (3) according to claim No. 10 CHARACTERIZED in that the treated protective layer (3) can be supported on a compacted base layer, base layer + compacted sub-base, loose soil, rigid and flexible pavements.

13. Treatment of non-hazardous organic and inorganic solid industrial waste (3) according to claim No. 12 CHARACTERIZED because it seals fissures and cracks in rigid and flexible pavements.

14. Treatment of non-hazardous solid industrial waste, organic and inorganic (3) according to claim No. 11, CHARACTERIZED because it serves as a leveling layer for paved and uncovered roads.

15. Treatment of non-hazardous organic and inorganic solid industrial waste (3) according to claim No. 1 CHARACTERIZED because it acts as an insulating layer that prevents the growth of vegetation for firebreaks and slopes.

16. Treatment of non-hazardous solid industrial waste, organic and inorganic (3) according to claim No. 11, CHARACTERIZED in that the surface can be painted with latex, oil, enamel, high traffic paint.

17. Treatment of non-hazardous solid industrial waste, organic and inorganic (3) according to claim No. 15, CHARACTERIZED in that it serves as a protective layer, insulating layer and leveling layer for greenhouse surfaces.

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