New modeling tools to help solid-waste systems reach environmental goals


Date:
January 20, 2022
Source:
North Carolina State University
Summary:
Researchers have developed a free, user-friendly tool that makes use
of multiple computational models to help solid waste systems achieve
their environmental goals in the most cost-efficient way possible.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a free,
user- friendly tool that makes use of multiple computational models to
help solid waste systems achieve their environmental goals in the most cost-efficient way possible.


========================================================================== Waste management systems do more than simply put solid waste into
landfills.

These systems need to not only safely store or recycle solid waste,
but also must minimize any health risks associated with the waste,
minimize environmental risks associated with air or water pollution,
and minimize the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that can be produced
as solid waste is processed or decomposes.

"The challenge is that there are a host of things waste management
systems can do to accomplish these goals," says James Levis, co-author
of a paper on the new tool and a research assistant professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering at NC State. "And many of
those actions have trade- offs, in terms of cost, environmental impact, technical challenges, and so on.

"To address this, we've created an open-source tool called the Solid Waste Optimization Life-cycle in Python (SwolfPy), which allows users to assess
all of these options in one place. This can help users determine the best course of action for any specific set of circumstances. And, because it
is open-source, the solid waste community can develop additional features
over time to make the tool even more useful in guiding decision-making." "SwolfPy is a dynamic tool," says Mojtaba Sardarmehni, corresponding
author of the paper and a Ph.D. student at NC State. "For example,
if someone develops a better model for one of its components, the
open-source platform will allow users to update SwolfPy." The SwolfPy framework includes a collection of process models and a user- interface
that allows users to plug in data relevant to their circumstances.

SwolfPy will then run the numbers and do two things. First, it gives users
a concise snapshot of their current overall operations, and what that
means for their cost and environmental goals. Second, SwolfPy gives users
the best combination -- or combinations -- of processes that would allow
them to meet their target numbers for cost, GHG emissions, and so on.

But users don't have to use the default models included in SwolfPy. Users
can also choose to develop process models tailored to their specific
projects and connect those models to SwolfPy; or users can use a
combination of the default models and customized models. Regardless of
which suite of models they choose, SwolfPy allows users to plug their
target numbers into the user-interface, and SwolfPy will let them know
which combination of processes will get them closest to their goals.

"To be clear, there isn't always one best solution," Sardarmehni
says. "For example, there may be one combination of processes that
is most cost-effective, while a second option is less cost-effective,
but does a better job of reducing GHG emissions. What SwolfPy does is
identify the range of best possible options for users, depending on how
they prioritize their goals." "We think SwolfPy will be a useful tool for waste management companies, government decision makers who deal with solid waste issues, state policymakers and the research community," Levis says.

SwolfPy is already freely available online at https://swolfpy- project.github.io/.

"We're open to hearing from people in the solid waste community who have
ideas or questions about how SwolfPy can be used, as well as what can
be done to continue fine-tuning it as a practical tool," Levis says.

The work was done with support from the National Science Foundation
under grant 1437498, and from the Environmental Research and Education Foundation.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by
North_Carolina_State_University. Original written by Matt Shipman. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Mojtaba Sardarmehni, Pedro H. Chagas Anchieta, James W. Levis. Solid
waste optimization life‐cycle framework in Python (SwolfPy).

Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2022; DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13236 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220120103355.htm

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