NNNE4033 TOXIC WASTE MANAGEMENT

DISCUSSION ON
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL METHODS

MUSLIHAH MOHD RAZALI

A139018
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY

A. PHYSICO-CHEMICAL TREATMENT

Advantages of
physicochemical
treatment

Air- stripping

Soil-vapour
extraction

Carbon adsorption

Steam-stripping

Chemical oxidation reduction

1) Treat aqueous organic

waste with relatively high
volatility, low water solubility
and aromatics.

1) Contaminants can
be extracted without
the need for
excavation or the
injection of
compounds required
for in-situ chemical
oxidation or
bioremediation.

1) Capture volatile
organic in gaseous
mixtures.

1) Less volatile, more

water soluble,
constituents such as
acetone or
pentachlorophenol
are more readily
remove from water
by steam stripping
than by air stripping.

1) Capable of destroying a
wide range of organic
molecules and inorganic
wastes.

Steam-stripping

Chemical oxidation reduction

1) The steam
stripping process
requires some type
of air pollution
control (APC)
mechanism to
eliminate toxic
emission.

1) Contaminants and/or poor

process control can lead to
very high reagent
consumption.

2) Manpower requirements
are low.

Air- stripping
1) This process is
temperature dependent so
Disadvantages that stripping efficiency can
of physicobe impacted by changes in
chemical
ambient temperature and
treatment
the presence of suspended
solids may reduce efficiency.
2) Only effective for volatile
organics.
references: U.S EPA

Soil-vapour
extraction
1) High treatment
cost.

2) Treat single-phase
aqueous organic wastes
with high molecular
weight and boiling point
and low polarity and
solubility, chlorinated
hydrocarbons and
aromatics.
Carbon adsorption
1) Limitations are
usually economic and
relate to the rapidity
with which the carbon
becomes spent.

2) Have the potential to

generate more toxic waste
than the original waste.

B. BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT

Advantages of
biological
treatment

1) Complete mineralization vs. physical-chemical treatment

2) Capability for in-situ treatment without having to excavate contaminated soil
3) Generally lower costs for similar wastes

1) More difficult to control as bacterial growth is influenced by a great number of

factors
2) Requires more time, and some particularly toxic compounds may degrade so
Disadvantages slowly
of biological as to be considered persistent if not recalcitrant
treatment
3) Requires extensive testing before treatment and monitoring throughout
treatment

C. THERMAL METHOD

Advantages of
thermal
method

1) The basic process technology is available and reasonably well developed.

2) Can be scaled to handle large volumes of liquid waste.
3) An excellent disposal method for biologically hazardous wastes.
4) Large areas of land are not required.
5) Reduction of leachability of the wastes after it is incinerated, thus making
landfilling an acceptable method of final disposal, with significant reduction in
potential for release of contaminants for groundwater contamination.

1) The equipment is costly.

2) The ash may or may not be toxic, but must be disposed of properly.
3) The gaseous and particulate products of combustion may be hazardous and
Disadvantages should be controlled by air pollution control technology.
thermal
4) Requires highly trained operators.
method

D. STABILIZATION AND SOLIDIFICATION

Advantages of
stabilization
and
solidification

1) Ability to handle oversized material, debris and underground

obstructions;
2) Good overall mixing that can be easily verified;
3) Accurate proportioning of reagents with waste; and,
4) Ability to visually verify that all of the waste has been stabilized and take
confirmatory samples of the bottom of the excavation.

1) Increased worker exposure;

2) Larger support area is typically required to stockpile material and set-up
Disadvantages process equipment;
of
3) Generally more labor intensive;
stabilization 4) Potential need to handle and treat contaminated groundwater during
and
excavation and backfilling operations; and,
solidification 5) Potential need for excavation support systems.