Superabsorbent polymers in slurry gelling

Abstract

Disposal of solid waste in landfills causes negative impacts on the environment, caused by emissions of greenhouse gases and the release of dark-colored leachate. It’s composition includes high concentrations of suspended solids, heavy metals, salts and organic compounds. Given the above, this study evaluated the use of superabsorbent polymer in the treatment of leachate. Slurry samples were collected at the Taubaté landfill in two seasons to determine electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, oils and greases. Other samples were submitted to the following treatments: 3.5 g of polymer with 500 g of distilled water, and doses of 3.5; 7.0; 10.5; 14.0; 17.5; 21.0; 24.5; and 28.0 g of polymer with 500 g of slurry, with 4 repetitions each. Other steps, in sequence, were: transformation of the material into gel (gelation), obtaining the liquid volume of water and slurry, and after 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, measurements of polymer dehydration were obtained. The efficiency of doses was determined by the volume of leachate remaining after each treatment. Gelation was more efficient in the summer season, a season with lower values of electrical conductivity, pH, suspended solids, and oils and greases. The most efficient doses in gelation were 10.5 g in summer and 14.0 g in autumn. In conclusion, superabsorbent polymer can be used in the treatment of leachate because it allows its gelling, but the recommended doses vary with the seasons.

Evaluación de riesgo ambiental en el manejo de residuos sólidos

“…2, Núm. 4, 50-66, diciembre 2022 / www.srjournalcidi.org / https://doi.org/10.53942/srjcidi.v2i4.97 impactos negativos sobre el ambiente, la eliminación en vertederos sigue siendo común, los lixiviados tienen un alto potencial contaminante y por escorrentía o percolación provoca la contaminación del suelo, aguas superficiales y subterráneas(Pereira et al, 2020). La peculiaridad de las culturas de los antepasados, hasta mediados del siglo XX, en relación con los desechos producidos por el hombre era deshacerse rápidamente de los sobrantes que ya no servían, los cuales eran arrojados y dispuestos a la intemperie, en barrancos, acantilados o riberas, y es que el crecimiento de las ciudades ha llevado a la necesidad de nuevos desarrollos, generalmente lejos de las grandes aglomeraciones, generando así vacíos urbanos, o la subdivisión del espacio urbano.…”