Bibliographic details and abstracts are available to all. Downloads of full-text dissertations are restricted to University of Portsmouth members who must login. MPhils may be accessed by all.

Abstract

This study aims to show the physicochemical properties of fine waste fraction (<10mm) deriving from
a Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) recycling facility in Portsmouth (UK). This material, also called Trommel Fines (TFs), is destined to be disposed of in landfills because of its variable chemical composition and small particle size, making it difficult to recycle. TFs are a primary product of the recycling process. Waste material must be characterised and examined for its potential hazard to human health and the environment before it is proposed for treatment and reuse.

Loss on Ignition (LOI) test (to show the organic content) is the only test required for this material before landfilling by the tax authority of the United Kingdom (UK) government, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Custom (HMRC). Two rates of taxes apply for these materials to be landfilled according to their organic content. There are preliminary studies about this material’s chemical composition; however, some companies provide treatment solutions for this material and potential reuse. The results showed that samples tested in this study have Moisture Content (MC) of 7.29% and organic content (LOI) of 10% (low-rate tax). Elemental oxides and minerals were identified using the X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. It was assumed that the waste contains mainly soil and construction and demolition rubble. XRF and XRD confirmed this assumption by identifying the high concentration of silica (Si) and alumina (Al). XRF showed the contamination of TFs with Heavy Metals (HMs) aluminium (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), bismuth (Bi) chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), gallium (Ga), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) oxides. Soil such as clay can absorb HMs, which could explain their presence; however, C&DW can be the source of these contaminants.

Course: Civil Engineering - MSc - C0618

Date Deposited: 2022-03-04

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13856.html