SUMMARIES OF SOLID WASTE
INTRAMURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
This report (SW-14r) was compiled by
ANDREW W. BREIDENBACH
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Solid Waste Management Office
1971
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 35 cents
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FOREWORD
THE FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT attack on solid waste
management problems employs a variety of approaches, not the
least of which are intramural undertakings. This type of
exploration not only enjoys freedom of movement regarding
investigative areas, it is also highly flexible because control
of project direction is always close to the work itself. This
report summarizes the approaches and progress associated with
projects being pursued on an intramural basis.
--RICHARD D. VAUGHAN
Assistant Surgeon General
Acting Commissioner
Solid Waste Management Office
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
COMPOSTING
Joint Public Health Service—Tennessee Valley Authority
Composting Project, Johnson City, Tennessee 3
DANGERS AND HAZARDS
Dust Explosion Project 5
The Occurrence and Significance of Pesticides in Solid
Wastes 6
Toxic and Hazardous Materials in Solid Wastes 7
GRINDERS
Grinder Evaluation and Development 9
INCINERATOR
Development of a High-Temperature, Low-Capacity Refuse
Incinerator 11
Investigation of Possible Design and Efficiency
Improvements for a Rotary Kiln Incinerator 12
LABORATORY ANALYSIS
Procedures for the Preparation of Solid Waste Samples
for Analysis 13
MARINE DISPOSAL
Environmental Data Management Studies for Marine Disposal
of Solid Wastes 13
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PATHOGENS
Pathogens Associated with Solid Waste Disposal
Processes 15
RECLAMATION AND REUSE
An Investigation of the Use of Scrap Tires as Artificial
Reefs 16
Reclamation of Valuable Compounds from Agricultural
Refuse and Municipal Wastes 17
The Chemical and Physical Transformation of Waste Rubber
into Useful Materials 18
Utilization of Solid Wastes by Chemical Transformation ... 19
SANITARY LANDFILL
Field Evaluation of Sanitary Landfill Techniques 21
Selection and Placement of Soil Cover Materials in a
Sanitary Landfill 21
SOLID WASTES, CHARACTERIZATION OF
Physical and Chemical Parameters and Methods for Solid
Waste Characterization 23
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INTRODUCTION
Research efforts of the Bureau of Solid Waste Management
(predecessor of the Solid Waste Management Office) were carried
out extramurally through research grants, demonstration grants,
and the contract mechanism beginning in Fiscal Year I960." An
intramural research program, however, was not initiated until
Fiscal Year 1967 when planning began for the present experimental
compost plant facility now located at Johnson City, Tennessee,
and for the two laboratories now operating in Cincinnati. These
laboratories were established to perform necessary service
functions to support other efforts of the Bureau, as well as to
begin the conduct of in-house research and development for better
solid waste management. The tasks associated with analyzing
samples from field investigations being conducted in connection
with studies sponsored by various elements of the Bureau represent
a significant but ofttimes unheralded effort.
Early in Fiscal Year 1968, the first modest resources were
applied to several intramural research and development projects.
The efforts were carried out in laboratory facilities located
-Lefke, L. W., A. G. Keene, R. A. Chapman, and H. Johnson,
comps. Summaries of solid waste research and training grants--
1970. Public Health Service Publication No. 1596. Washington,
U.S. Government Printing Office, 1971. (in press.)
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at 5555 Ridge Avenue and at 5995 Center Hill Avenue. Effort is
made, through the Office of Program Development, to coordinate
the efforts made in extramural projects with the efforts under-
taken by the staff of the Division of Research and Development.
In three instances, cooperative work with other governmental
agencies has been conducted.
During Fiscal Year 19&9 over 600 samples, representing more
than 4,200 laboratory determinations were processed for various
Bureau field investigations and projects.
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JOINT PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE -- TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
COMPOSTING PROJECT, JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE
PROJECT OFFICER: Gordon Stone PROJECT: RC 056601
OBJECTIVE: The major goal is to determine whether municipal
solid waste and sewage sludge can be disposed of properly
by the composting process. Specific objectives are: (1)
to determine if garbage and refuse can be converted into a
safe product that has some economic value; (2) to determine
whether overall waste disposal costs can be reduced.
The project will: demonstrate the engineering and eco-
nomic factors involved in producing compost from mixed refuse
and raw and digested sewage sludge; include research in the
health aspects of using and processing compost; determine
whether the addition of chemical fertilizers improves the
composting process and increases the value or usefulness of
the finished product; investigate the uses and market poten-
tial of the finished product.
APPROACH: Cities are finding disposal of the solid wastes
being discarded by their expanding populations increasingly
difficult and expensive. Land suitable for sanitary landfills
is often scarce and costly. Improper burning results in air
pollution. Discharging of solid waste or incompletely treated
sewage and sewage sludge into streams creates water pollution
problems.
This experimental composting project is being conducted
jointly by the U.S. Public Health Service, the Tennessee Valley
Authority, and the City of Johnson City, Tennessee. The U.S.
Public Health Service is involved in the experimental composting
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project through the research and development efforts of the
Bureau of Solid Waste Management. The Tennessee Valley Au-
thority is applying its resources through its Divisions of
Construction and Design, Health and Safety, Reservoir Prop-
erties, and Agricultural Development.
The project's central feature is the composting plant
in Johnson City, Tennessee. The plant is located next to
the city's sewage treatment facility. Approximately 50 tons
of solid waste are received daily, of which about 25 percent
is rejected as noncompostable. All the compos table solid
waste and sewage sludge from the city's 3^,000-population
is processed into compost. The solid waste is ground by
either a rasping machine or a hammermill and mixed with the
sewage sludge. The mixture is then windrowed on a five-acre
field for 30 to kk days. During this time, the mixture is
turned 8 to 12 times while the moisture remains at 50 to 60
percent. After the decomposition process, the compost is
cured for approximately two weeks in an open shed; it is then
ready for distribution. For certain uses, regrinding and
screening to a smaller size are desirable. About 25 tons
of compost are produced daily.
PROGRESS: Microbiological studies indicate that the hazards
associated with a solid waste-sewage sludge compost are
essentially the same as those related to other naturally
occurring environmental contacts. The process, including
the economics of production, has been studied. Work on the
testing and marketing of the compost is now being carried
out by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
PUBLICATIONS
Kochtitzky, 0. W., W. K. Seaman, and J. S. Wiley. Municipal
Composting research at Johnson City, Tennessee. Compost
Science, 9W :5-16, Winter 1969.
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Sewage sludge and refuse composting test begins. Envi ron-
mental Science & Technology, 2(8):589~591, Aug. 1968.
Stutzenberger, F. J. Microbiological activity in solid waste
composting. In Proceedings of the Fourth Joint Meeting
of the Clinical Society and Commissioned Officers Asso-
ciation of the United States Public Health Service,
June 2-5, 1969, Boston, Massachusetts. Washington Com-
missioned Officers Association. p. 37- (Abstract.)
Stutzenberger, F. J., A. J. Kaufman, and D. R. Lossin. Cellu-
lolytic activity in municipal solid waste composting.
Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 16(7) :553~560, July
1970.
Wiley, J. S., F. E. Gartrell, and H. G. Smith. Concept and
design of the joint U.S. Public Health Service--Tennessee
Valley Authority Composting Project, Johnson City,
Tennessee. [Cincinnati], U.S. Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare, 1968. 14 p.
Wiley, J. S., and 0. W. Kochtitzky. Composting developments
in the United States. Compost Science, 6(2):5~9, Summer
1965.
PRESENTATION
Stone, G. E. Engineering aspects of composting at Johnson
City, Tennessee. Informal presentation at Roundtable
on Composting, Annual Meeting of the American Society
for Microbiology, Miami, May 8, 1969-
DUST EXPLOSION PROJECT
PROJECT OFFICER: Robert C. Thurnau PROJECT: WP-02-69-24
OBJECTIVE: To study the explosiveness of incinerator dust.
APPROACH: Using a modified version of the dust explosion
apparatus employed by the U.S. Department of the Interior's
Bureau of Mines, the lower explosive limit of incinerator
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dust was studied. This involved the dispersion and ignition
of the dust.
PROGRESS: Incinerator dust was found to be nonexplosive under
ordinary conditions. There was, however, a potential explosive
hazard if the dust concentration reached a high level and
a large igniting force was applied. Threshold values for
these have yet to be determined. All of the explosive indices
were well below unity, indicating a slight hazard. The in-
dices are defined as a ratio of the minimum explosive concen-
tration of the dust to the minimum explosive concentration
of coal dust, with unity being a moderate hazard.
Ground solid waste was found to be moderately explosive
and had an index of 0.8--identical to the figure published
by the Bureau of Mines.
THE OCCURRENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF
PESTICIDES IN SOLID WASTES*
PROJECT OFFICERS: E. P. Floyd PROJECT: RS-03-68-06
Henry Johnson
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the significance of pesticidal residues
in solid wastes and to recommend ways to neutralize or dispose
of them.
APPROACH: Data on industrial production and consumer use
were used to estimate the extent of the chemical pesticide
waste problem. Plans were made to conduct a systematic search
for the presence of pesticidal residues in solid wastes, to
measure the amounts of those found, to study the potential
effect of such amounts on man, and to determine a disposal
process.
•Previously a separate project.
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(This project is now an integral part of the one entitled
"Toxic and Hazardous Materials in Solid Wastes.")
PROGRESS: Data were collected on the production and use of
chemical pesticides and methods currently employed for dis-
posing of them. Initial plans were made for screening tests
to detect pesticide residues in compost and incinerator resi-
dues, and analytical methods were selected to identify some
of the most common chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides.
PUBLICATIONS
Breidenbach, A. W. Application of solid waste research to
pesticide disposal. J_n_ Proceed! ngs; National Working
Conference on Pesticide Disposal, Beltsville, Md.,
June 30--July 1, 1970. [Washington], U.S. Department
of Agriculture and President's Cabinet Committee on
the Environment, Subcommittee on Pesticides [Research
Panel], p. 120-123-
Breidenbach, A. W. Editorial. Pesticides Monitoring Journal,
2(2) :71 , Sept. 1968.
Floyd, E. P. Occurrence and significance of pesticides in
solid wastes; a Division of Research and Development
open-file report (RS-02-68-15). [Cincinnati], U.S.
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1970.
3k p. [Restricted distribution.]
Floyd, E. P., and A. W. Breidenbach. Preliminary estimate
of the significance of pesticide residues in solid wastes
and problems of reduction or elimination of these resi-
dues. [Cincinnati], U.S. Department of Health, Education,
and welfare, [1968]. 6 p.
TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN SOLID WASTES
PROJECT OFFICER: Henry Johnson PROJECT: RS-03-68-06
OBJECTIVE: Phase I: to measure quantities of selenium compounds
in solid wastes before, during, and after an incineration
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process and in leachates from a land disposal site. Phase
II: to inventory and evaluate storage and disposal practices
involving such hard-to-handle industrial solid wastes as pesti-
cides, waste oils, and cyanides.
APPROACH: Phase I: f1uorometrically examine samples, repre-
senting each phase of incineration processing, using 2,3~
diaminonaphthalene as the reagent. Samples from two plants
and runoff samples from two landfills were analyzed. In Phase
II, procedures will be established for the collection, evalua-
tion, and dissemination of basic data and information on
existing practices.
PROGRESS: Condensation of Phase I data:
RESULTS OF SELENIUM DETERMINATIONS
IN SOLID WASTE SAMPLES
Material
No.
samples
Average
concentration
Newspaper 8
Cardboard 8
Laboratory tissue A
Finished compost A 1
Finished compost B 1
Raw refuse 18
Residue k
Residue quench water 4
Fly ash quench water k
Stack gas 1 1
Landfill runoff H 4
Landfill runoff N 2
8.6 ppm w/w
2.8 ppm w/w
7.1 ppm w/w
0.76 ppm w/w
0.43 ppm w/w
1.27 ppm w/w
0.073 ppm w/w
None detected
0.012 ppm w/v
0.89 vig/M3
0.003 ppm w/v
None detected
In Phase II, procedures are being developed,
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PUBLICATIONS
Breidenbach, A. W. Application of solid waste research to
pesticide disposal. J_n_ Proceedings; National Working
Conference on Pesticide Disposal, Beltsville, Md.,
June 30--July 1, 1970. [Washington], U.S. Department
of Agriculture and President's Cabinet Committee on
the Environment, Subcommittee on Pesticides [Research
Panel], p. 120-123.
Johnson, H. Determination of selenium in solid waste. En-
vironmental Science & Technology, 4(10):850~853, Oct.
1970.
GRINDER EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT OFFICER: Thomas G. Sanders PROJECT: WP-02-69-26
OBJECTIVE: To accumulate and establish the power requirements
and associated operating costs of several types of grinders
for the comminution of solid waste, and to study the functional
relationship between its moisture content and any other rele-
vant parameters to grinder power input. The operating costs
of other grinders individually, in series, slurry-fed, and
dry-fed, will be evaluated. Various separation and feed sys-
tems will be studied to increase their respective efficiencies
and hence allow more effective utilization of the several
size-reduction processes.
APPROACH: The pilot-plant study at Cincinnati will entail
comminuting 1,000 to 6,000 Ib of solid waste from municipal
sources with varying moisture content in each experimental
run. While the refuse is being macerated, the power to the
hammermill motor will be continuously recorded on a strip
chart. Not only can the total gross and net power be recorded
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by the wattmeter, but the maximum and minimum power loads
can be continuously monitored.
Another study will be made at the Joint Public Health
Service—Tennessee Valley Authority Composting Project at:
Johnson City, Tennessee, facility utilizing its equipment.
Since the grinding equipment there is running continuously
in order to produce 20 tons of compost a day, much data
describing the power requirements, hammerwear, downtime, and
maintenance repair can be compiled.
This broad, continuous study describing the operating
costs of several grinders combined with the more detailed,
definitive research of the different parameters (moisture,
metal, and cellulose content, and size and feed rate of the
grinder) affecting grinding costs will provide a better insight
into the costs of grinding and the parameters that influence
these expenses.
PROGRESS: Experimentation has indicated that moisture content
has a significant effect on grinding characteristics. Not
enough data have been accumulated, however, to ascertain a
definitive relationship or the limits thereof.
Ancillary studies have indicated that moisture losses
occur while solid waste is being comminuted, but in an amount
less than expected; not more than a 6 percent loss has occurred
during the experiments.
Additional studies are under way to substantiate the
functional relationship of net power input and final moisture
content, to amass more operating cost data, and to study fur-
ther moisture losses when solid waste is comminuted. Plans
are being completed to initiate a full-scale study of the
grinders at Johnson City, Tennessee.
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DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH-TEMPERATURE, LOW-CAPACITY
REFUSE INCINERATOR
PROJECT OFFICER: Donald A. King PROJECT: WP-03-68-08
OBJECTIVE: To develop a high-temperature solid waste incinera-
tor that can economically and effectively dispose of the mu-
nicipal solid waste from small communities.
APPROACH: The incinerator has a horizontal cylindrical com-
bustion chamber. The solid waste is forced by a hydraulic
ram to form a fuel plug which advances the solid waste, subse-
quently pushing the residue into the ash hopper. Preheated
air is forced into the furnace tangentially to the wall to
produce a spiral flow of the gases.
The incinerator will be operated under various conditions
of solid waste loading, air supply, air velocity, and type
of refuse. The unit will be evaluated by: (1) collecting
temperature data at a number of points throughout the unit;
(2) continuously analyzing stack gases for C09, CO, and 09;
(3) making chemical and bacteriological examinations of the
residue and fly ash; (4) visually checking the physical effects
of high-temperature incineration on the incinerator structure
for each experimental test.
PROGRESS: The construction of the incinerator at the Solid
Waste Research and Technical Development Facility at Center
Hill in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been completed. Preliminary
testing has begun. The theory that a plug of compacted solid
waste in the charging chute can provide an adequate seal must
be valid if the incinerator is to function as designed. It
has been found that the theory is not valid for optimum con-
ditions of incineration. When the solid waste is compacted
in the chute to a density of about kO Ib per cubic foot there
is no leakage from the incinerator. The refuse will not,
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however, burn inside the combustion chamber when this condi-
tion exists. The high degree of compaction makes combustion
almost impossible. On the other hand, when the refuse is
loose enough to burn the seal is lost and smoke leaks back
through the chute.
The preliminary tests indicate that the theory of using
a refuse plug for sealing purposes should be discarded and
that a different way to seal the chute and hopper should be
developed. Efforts are under way to seal the chute, hopper,
and charging platen. With the unit sealed, the incinerator
can be operated for almost an hour before the air is cut off
in order for the hopper to be refilled. It is planned to
redesign the hopper system so that the sealed hopper can be
refilled quickly. This would permit uninterrupted operation
of the incinerator and allow its capabilities to be properly
evaluated.
INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE DESIGN AND EFFICIENCY
IMPROVEMENTS FOR A ROTARY KILN INCINERATOR
PROJECT OFFICER: Donald A. Oberacker PROJECT: WP-02-68-12
OBJECTIVE: To survey the subject by a literature search,
to observe several large municipal rotary kiln incinerators,
and to collect baseline technical information on their re-
spective theoretical designs, operational characteristics,
and economics.
APPROACH: The literature search has been supplemented by
discussions with design and manufacturing companies, incinera-
tor inspection visits (including technical discussions with
foremen), and brief experiments on feed rate, volume reduction,
weight reduction, and residue sampling.
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PROCEDURES FOR THE PREPARATION OF SOLID WASTE SAMPLES
FOR ANALYSIS
PROJECT OFFICER: Israel Cohen PROJECT: RS-03-68-19
OBJECTIVE: To develop procedures for preparing samples for
laboratory analysis from raw solid waste and derived material.
APPROACH: To make use of a variety of comminuting and mixing
apparatus and drying procedures, to evaluate the final products
for uniformity, and to compare the analytical data derived
in the laboratory analyses.
PROGRESS: A W-W grinder-, a Wiley No. 3 mill, and an Her
pulverizer have been used to grind raw and composted refuse.
In the Wiley mill, it was ground to a particle size of 2 mm
to 1/2 mm (9 mesh to 32 mesh). Incinerator residue was ground
to finer than 60 mesh in the Iler pulverizer. The W-W grinder
was used to reduce the particle size of raw combustible refuse
to less than 1-1/2 inches. This product was then fed into
the Wiley mill for final size reduction. Some rather crude
homemade devices were used as mixers with gratifying results.
During 1970, efforts were to be made to obtain smaller particle
sizes and to use more sophisticated mixers.
-Mention of commercial products does not imply endorsement
by the U.S. Government.
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA MANAGEMENT STUDIES FOR MARINE
DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTES
PROJECT OFFICER: Lynn P. Wallace PROJECT: CT-02-69-^5
OBJECTIVE: To develop the ability to answer, on short notice,
questions as to whether a specific marine area is suitable
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for accepting a particular solid waste. To identify what ad-
ditional information is needed, if available environmental data
are insufficient to respond.
APPROACH: The National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) oper-
ates a data storage, retrieval, and analysis system for marine
environmental data. It also maintains liaison with the Federal
Water Pollution Control Administration, which is responsible for
maintaining water quality data on coastal waters.
Under the terms of an interagency agreement between NODC
and the Bureau, data banks at NODC and elsewhere are being ex-
amined in order to evaluate the adequacy of physical, geological,
chemical, and biological oceanographic data for the Bureau's
needs .
PROGRESS: The extent and accessibility of pertinent oceanographic
data indicate that, although computerized data analysis and re-
trieval systems will be used in the future, manual bibliographic
search and evaluation methods are best for the present.
Efforts during FY 1969 were directed at collating and evalu-
ating data from two areas, the first off New York and the second
off Los Angeles. Work in FY 1970 was to concentrate on the New
York Bight.
PUBLICATION
Schuyler, S., and G. Heimerdinger. Continental margin data col-
lection pilot project; a Division of Research and Development
open-file report (CT-02-69-^5)• [Cincinnati], U.S. Depart-
ment of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1970. [81 p.]
[Restricted distribution.]
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PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL PROCESSES
PROJECT OFFICER: Mirdza L. Peterson PROJECT: RS-03-68-16
OBJECTIVE: To help develop design criteria and operational
standards for disposing of waste through incineration, composting,
landfill ing, and other disposal systems by determining the dis-
tribution and survival patterns of pathogenic microorganisms
before, during, and after processing and disposal; to evaluate
the efficacy of the various operations employed in processing
solid waste for disposal in removing and destroying the pathogens.
APPROACH: To accomplish these objectives it was necessary to
develop microbiological methods to measure the levels of micro-
bial pathogens associated with municipal waste disposal processes.
Field studies were needed to determine the efficacy of several
incinerator types to destroy bacteria associated with solid waste.
PROGRESS: Samples of solid waste and its residue were taken
from eight municipal incinerators of different design and examined
for (l) total bacterial cell number, (2) total coliforms, (3)
fecal coliforms, (4) heat resistant spores, and (5) selected
enteric pathogens. Of the eight incinerators tested, only one
produced residue devoid of fecal coliforms; seven others produced
residue containing fecal coliform population of less than 10
to 4,700 per g.
Quantitative studies were made of dust in three specific
waste handling areas of six municipal incinerators; the dumping
floor, the charging floor, and the residue areas. Total microbial
cell counts in the areas tested ranged from 1 to 153 organisms
per 0.25 cu ft of air.
PUBLICATIONS
Armstrong, D. H. Portable sampler for microorganisms in incin-
erator stack emissions. Applied Microbiology, 19(1):204-205,
Jan. 1970.
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Peterson, M. L., and F. J. Stutzenberger. Microbiological
evaluation of incinerator operations. Applied Microbiology,
18(1):8-13, July 1969.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF SCRAP TIRES
AS ARTIFICIAL REEFS
PROJECT OFFICER: Clarence A. demons PROJECT: CT-02-69-44
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether significant quantities of scrap
tires can be used in a marine environment to help reduce a major
source of solid waste.
APPROACH: Through an agreement between the Bureau of Solid Waste
Management and the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife (U.S.
Department of the Interior), scientists from the Sandy Hook Marine
Laboratory are conducting field investigations to determine:
(l) where and how many scrap tires may be used for artificial
reefs, (2) the costs of building such reefs, (3) the number of
reefs that may be established, (4) suitable designs, and (5)
the geophysical environs and depths of water most adaptable to
establishing artificial reefs.
Important considerations in site selection are the depths
of water, bottom types, ease of access to survey teams, and distance
from coastal population centers. Most of the research will center
on transporting the tires and placing them in various configura-
tions .
A continuing program of environmental monitoring will be
developed, and diver-biologists will inspect the reefs periodi-
cally to determine the effectiveness of various designs. The
first-year effort will concentrate on building reefs containing
10,000 to 50,000 tires each. Their effectiveness will be sub-
jected to comprehensive evaluation during the second year.
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PROGRESS: Approximately 25,000 tires have been placed in a reef
3 miles off East Rockaway Inlet, Long Island, New York. It is
in 60 ft of water and is 1 mile long by 1/2 mile wide. Approval
has been obtained for establishing another artificial reef off
the Atlantic Coast.
Two construction designs have been selected for detailed
investigation. In one case, eight tires are placed on two rods
and the bottom tire is filled with concrete. In the other, a
cement anchor is attached to each tire. The average cost per
tire has been kkt but it is expected to drop. After preliminary
investigations are concluded, staging operations will be moved
from Sandy Hook.
RECLAMATION OF VALUABLE COMPOUNDS FROM AGRICULTURAL
REFUSE AND MUNICIPAL WASTES
PROJECT OFFICER: Daniel F. Bender PROJECT: RC-02-68-18
OBJECTIVE: The long-range goal is to develop a process for re-
covering valuable organic chemicals from incinerated, pyrolyzed,
and agricultural wastes. The immediate goal is to identify the
organic materials that may be present in order to assign them
economic values and to decide upon large-scale isolation methods.
APPROACH: The waste has been collected, prepared for extraction,
extracted with solvents and chromatographed with column and thin-
layer chromatography for separation of the extracted material.
Absorption and fluorescent spectroscopy was applied to the
separated material.
PROGRESS: Small amounts of anthracene, phenanthrene, and pyrene
were detected in fly ash. A scheme has been partially developed
for obtaining alkaloids from vegetation waste (tomato vines and
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leaves). On the basis of the present data, the economic signifi
cance remains uncertain. No investigations are being pursued
at the present time.
PRESENTATION
Bender, D. F., W. J. Kroth, G. Meyer, M. L. Wilson, and R. 0.
Carter. Constituents of incinerated and pyrolyzed solid
wastes: polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in fly ash and
residue from municipal incinerators. Presented at 158th
National Meeting, American Chemical Society, New York,
Sept. 7-12, 1969.
THE CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL TRANSFORMATION OF WASTE RUBBER
INTO USEFUL MATERIALS
PROJECT OFFICER: Clarence A. demons PROJECT: RC-02-68-05
OBJECTIVE: To determine how and to what extent discarded rubber
and rubber products are being utilized to investigate, identify,
and evaluate the technical feasibility of using various types
of waste rubber.
APPROACH: The project will proceed through: (l) preliminary
structuring, (2) literature survey and analyses, (3) field discus-
sions and survey, (**) data analysis and projections, and (5)
report!ng.
Various industrial, government, technical, and trade pub-
lications will be screened to obtain information on the overall
nature of the rubber industry and qualitative and quantitative
data on how many wastes are disposed of or used. Contracts will
be let to obtain specific information sources, uses, practices,
and potential of reclaimed, ground, and other forms of scrap
rubber.
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The information obtained will be correlated and analyzed.
The results and data obtained from in-house research should pro-
duce a comprehensive delineation of current technical, economic,
and social aspects of waste rubber utilization. A selection
of the most feasible technological paths to reduce waste ac-
cumulation will be highlighted in a publication to supplement
the contractor's final published report.
PROGRESS: Two extramural projects are under way. Uniroyal
Chemical is studying various segments of the industry under a
contract (PH 68-86-208) entitled "Solid Waste Management and
Rubber Reuse Potential in the Rubber Industry." The Sandy Hook
Marine Laboratory is investigating the wholesale use of rubber
tires to build artificial reefs. (See [Project CT-02-69-^] .)
Separate contacts have been made with major rubber indus-
tries, various trade and manufacturing associations, and insti-
tutions. Literature reviews have been completed and bibliographies
assembled in cooperation with Uniroyal Chemical and the University
of Akron Rubber Library. A separate report highlighting various
means of increasing the utilization of waste rubber is scheduled
for publication in 1970.
UTILIZATION OF SOLID WASTES BY CHEMICAL TRANSFORMATION
PROJECT OFFICERS: T. C. Purcell PROJECT: RC-03-68-21
C. J. Rogers
OBJECTIVE: To develop physical, chemical, and microbial systems
for converting solid wastes into useful materials.
APPROACH: Chemical extraction, physical processing, acid, alka-
line, photochemical treatment, fermentation processes, and re-
lated laboratory and pilot-scale procedures will be utilized
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to convert cellulosic wastes into useful products. Wet-chemical,
microbiological, and spectrophotometric analysis will be used
to separate and identify specific reaction intermediates and
product components.
PROGRESS: Several processes have been investigated for degrading
cellulosic wastes from filter paper, newspaper, rice hulls, kraft
paper, and mixed refuse. Microorganisms and enzymes have been
accumulated and preliminary tests run to determine their relative
abilities to degrade the cellulose.
Results from waste cellulose biodegradation studies using
selected fungi indicate that cells with a 15 percent protein
content can be harvested. This compares well with cereal grains,
which contain from 12 to 15 percent protein. Advantages of the
fungal degradation process are that the substrate does not require
an alkali or acid chemical pretreatment process nor does a cellu-
losic residue remain.
A 2-liter pressure reactor was used to produce glucose by
an acid-hydrolysis process. The variables investigated at three
levels each were contact time, temperature, and acid concentra-
tion. Analytical methods have been developed for identifying
the glucose, methyIhydroxy furfural, levulinic acid, and formic
acid produced in the hydrolysate.
PUBLICATION
Rogers, C. J., and T. C. Purcell. Identification of bacteria
by rapid spectrophotof1uorometric methods. Envi ronmental
Science & Technology, 3(8) :?64-766, Aug. 1969-
PRESENTATION
Rogers, C. J., and T. C. Purcell. Production of organic com-
pounds from waste cellulose by biosynthesis. Presented
at American Chemical Society, 158th National Meeting,
Division of Water, Air, and Waste Chemistry, New York,
Sept. 7-12, 1969.
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FIELD EVALUATION OF SANITARY LANDFILL TECHNIQUES
PROJECT OFFICER: Richard J. Wigh PROJECT: UD-02-69-31
OBJECTIVE: To develop on a pilot scale more efficient land dis-
posal methods that can protect the quality of the environment
and provide for utilization of the completed fill surface.
APPROACH: After selecting, acquiring, and laying out the facility,
individual cells will be constructed and instrumented to study
bulk densities, final usage, structural stability of the fill,
gas movement, accelerated decomposition, and water movement.
Portions of the related project (UD-03-68-20) will be conducted
at this site. The facility will also provide a site for related
research in sample-size determination, waste composition, and
pathogen survival.
PROGRESS: Land disposal sites throughout the Cincinnati area
have been visited or reviewed from the data provided on the 1968
National Survey of Community Solid Waste Practices forms. A
site in Boone County, Kentucky, operated by a private collection
and disposal contractor, has been selected as the most promising.
Local and State health department and zoning approval has been
received. Surveying and site development plans have been com-
pleted. Determination of sampling intervals, calibration of
equipment, and reports on settlement, water quality, and com-
pacted densities have been initiated.
SELECTION AND PLACEMENT OF SOIL COVER MATERIALS IN A
SANITARY LANDFILL
PROJECT OFFICER: Norbert B. Shomaker PROJECT: UD-03-68-20
OBJECTIVE: To define and establish criteria for the selection
and placement of cover material at sanitary landfills.
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APPROACH: A national soil-cover survey was conducted to ob-
tain information on the types and distribution of soil cover
now being used at sanitary landfills. Based on the results from
this program, sites utilizing different soils were selected where
behavior of the soil would be evaluated and those properties
of a soil that may be influential in its proper functioning as
a sanitary landfill cover material would be determined.
The functions of soil cover have been defined. An analysis
of these functions is being performed to determine the necessary
tests for studying and separating problems that are either soil-
or refuse-dependent. When this is completed, a performance
evaluation program will be initiated at some sites where informa-
tion has already been collected and at others where adequate
control can be obtained. Primary attention will be given to
depth, compaction procedures, and settlement. Portions of this
performance evaluation program will be conducted at the sanitary
landfill site to be developed under Project UD-02-69~31 (Field
Evaluation of Sanitary Landfill Techniques).
The abilities of specific soils to function adequately as
landfill cover material will be compared and evaluated from the
results of the laboratory work and field observations. Final
criteria and guidelines will be prepared regarding soils, limita-
tions, and construction procedures.
PROGRESS: Small samples were received from kk landfills through-
out the country. Classification tests, including natural moisture
content, specific gravity, combined mechanical analysis, and
Atterberg limits, have been performed on these samples. These
standard laboratory tests were performed for the Bureau by the
H. C. Nutting Company under contract PH-86-68-196. Nineteen
of the landfills were visited to study placement procedures and
to obtain additional information on the geology and compaction
characteristics of the soil.
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PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND METHODS FOR SOLID
WASTE CHARACTERIZATION
PROJECT OFFICER: Nancy Ulmer PROJECT: RS-03-68-17
OBJECTIVE: To determine and recommend those physical and chemical
parameters and methods that should be employed to meaningfully
characterize solid wastes before, during, and after processing.
APPROACH: A thorough review of literature dealing with the char-
acterization of solid waste was begun to facilitate the selection
of possibly' significant parameters. Methods for determining
the selected parameters will be developed and evaluated in the
laboratory. An assessment of the characterization data obtained
will be performed to ascertain the significance of the selected
parameters.
PROGRESS: After completing a review of approximately 100 refer-
ences in literature dealing with solid waste characterization,
a tentative list of the physical and chemical parameters of pos-
sible significance and a table presenting the range of values
for 30 of the parameters were prepared. Biochemical oxygen demand,
carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, moisture, ash, volatiles, and calorific
value were selected for initial investigation. Methods for de-
termining the first four have been established in the laboratory,
and evaluation procedures for the remainder are in progress.
Seven publications currently in press discuss the significance
of the determination of: (l) the biochemical oxygen demand of
quench water and the carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen contents
of solid wastes during the development, evaluation, and control
of incineration processes; (2) the carbon and nitrogen contents
and C/N ratios of solid wastes during the evaluation of composting
processes.
The objectives and approach are being coordinated with those
of Research Grant EC-00332-O'l , Standard Test Procedures for
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Municipal Solid Wastes (Dr. R. H. Susag, Principal Investigator,
University of Florida). Efforts are also being made to enlist
university training grantees.
M0379
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tion Agency
Library, -<-- ' .
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