Title: Modelling industrial waste management at regional scale

Authors: Massimiliano Fabbricino

Addresses: Department of Hydraulics, Geotechnics and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125, Naples, Italy

Abstract: A mathematical model is proposed for planning a regional programme for industrial waste management. The model is based on economic optimisation and allows preliminary decisions to be made at the operational planning phase. Moreover, it allows management of the treatment and disposal of different types of industrial waste once the treatment facilities and the disposal sites are defined. The model depicts the industrial waste management cycle using a network of nodes and lines. The model|s application is simple and does not require extensive data. Results are easily assimilated, facilitating management choices. To demonstrate the model|s potential and to evaluate the economic advantages pertaining to different treatment options, a case study is presented. The results demonstrate that it is possible to minimise the total cost of management through an accurate repartition of industrial waste flows among different types of treatment facilities and disposal sites.

Keywords: decision making; industrial waste; economical optimisation; mathematical modelling; regional planning; waste management; industrial waste flows; treatment facilities; disposal sites.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2011.039469

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2011 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.279 - 293

Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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