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Barbhuiya NH, Kumar A, Singh A, Chandel MK, Arnusch CJ, Tour JM, Singh SP. The Future of Flash Graphene for the Sustainable Management of Solid Waste. ACS NANO 2021; 15:15461-15470. [PMID: 34633174 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c07571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Graphene research has steadily increased, and its commercialization in many applications is becoming a reality because of its superior physicochemical properties and advances in synthesis techniques. However, bulk-scale production of graphene still requires large amounts of solvents, electrochemical treatment, or sonication. Recently, a method was discovered to convert bulk quantities of carbonaceous materials to graphene using flash Joule heating (FJH) and, so named, flash graphene (FG). This method can be used to turn various solid wastes containing the prerequisite element carbon into FG. Globally, more than 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) are generated every year and, in many municipalities, are becoming unmanageable. The most commonly used waste management methods include recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, incineration, gasification, pyrolysis, and landfill disposal. However, around 70% of global waste ends up in landfills or open dumps, while the rest is recycled, composted, or incinerated. Even the various waste valorization techniques, such as pyrolysis and gasification, produce some waste residues that have their ultimate destination in landfills. Thus, technologies that can minimize waste volume or convert waste into valuable products are required. The thermal treatment process of FJH for FG production provides both waste volume reduction and valorization in the form of FG. In this Perspective, we provide an overview of FJH and its possible applications in various types of waste conversion/valorization. We describe the typical current MSW management system as well as the potential for creating FG at various stages and propose a schematic plan for the incorporation of FG in MSW management. We also analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of MSW as an FG precursor in terms of technical, economic, environmental, and social sustainability. This valuable waste valorization and management strategy can help achieve near-zero waste and an economy-boosting MSW management system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najmul Haque Barbhuiya
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Ayush Singh
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Munish K Chandel
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Christopher J Arnusch
- Department of Desalination and Water Treatment, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - James M Tour
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Smalley-Curl Institute and NanoCarbon Center, Welch Institute for Advanced Materials, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Swatantra P Singh
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology & Science (CRNTS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- Interdisciplinary Program in Climate Studies (IDPCS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
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Joseph SMR, Wijekoon P, Dilsharan B, Punchihewa ND, Athapattu BCL, Vithanage M. Anammox, biochar column and subsurface constructed wetland as an integrated system for treating municipal solid waste derived landfill leachate from an open dumpsite. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 189:109880. [PMID: 32979992 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to treat nitrogen-rich landfill leachate from Karadiyana open dumpsite, Sri Lanka, through an integrated treatment train consists of an anammox process, Municipal Solid Waste derived biochar column followed by a biochar embedded subsurface constructed wetland. Characterization of leachate was done and the leachate pollution index (LPI) was estimated. Meanwhile, leachate was treated through a treatment system comprising an anammox reactor having 140 mm diameter and 250 mm height, a biochar reactor having the same dimensions with 1.3 kg of MSW biochar, and a laboratory-scale constructed wetland of 1 × 0.3 × 0.45 m. The influent and effluent quality was assessed for the samples taken in 24 h intervals. The analysis indicated that the leachate was high in COD (4000-14,000 mg/L), ammonia (760-900 mg/L), nitrate (60-126 mg/L), and phosphorus (33-66 mg/L). Ammonia and nitrite were removed 94 and 99% by anammox unit, respectively. Nitrate, phosphate, COD and conductivity were significantly removed by the constructed wetland system in 78, 70, 65 and 61%, respectively, whereas biochar barricades extended support for removal of the contaminants and color. The combined treatment system demonstrated treatment efficiencies as 100% of ammonia, 98.7% of nitrite, 98.2% of nitrate, 80.9% of phosphate, 79.7% of COD, and 69.9% of conductivity. Thus, it can be concluded that the anammox, combined with biochar embedded treatment train is promising to treat landfill leachate, having a high pollutant index.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M R Joseph
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Prabuddhi Wijekoon
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - B Dilsharan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - N D Punchihewa
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - B C L Athapattu
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Meththika Vithanage
- Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
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