A novel process for the complete recycling of exhausted coffee capsules with a fully circular approach: Design of the industrial plant and Techno-Economic analysis of the process

The objective of this paper is to present the technical and feasibility analysis of an innovative mechanical recycling system for exhausted coffee capsules. This recycling process involved the sorting of spent coffee grounds (SGC) and the subsequent drying and melt-mixing of a portion of these grounds with the remaining capsule components, mainly composed of polypropylene (PP), along with optional virgin PP. These newly developed composite materials exhibited mechanical and rheological properties comparable or even surpassing those of virgin PP. They were also successfully utilized for the injection of new capsule shells, thus alignin with the principles of the circular economy. In addition to the technical aspects, this paper present a comprehensive Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) of the proposed recycling processes, considering the inclusion of virgin PP (0-20 %) and the initial moisture content (MSGC) of SGC(5-55 %) as varying factors. An industrial plant, designed to handle up to 190 million exhausted coffee capsules and produce up to 1500 tons of recycled compund was appropriately sized. The analysis revealed that processes are profitable across all examined scenarios and that the Net Present Value ranged between 800 k€ (for vPP = 20 % and MSGC = 55 %) and 2000 k€ (for vPP = 0 % and MSGC = 5 %).

Do carnitine and extra trace elements change stability of paediatric parenteral nutrition admixtures?

INTRODUCTION

High concentrations of trace elements (TE), in particular zinc and selenium, along with carnitine, are often added to parenteral admixtures in paediatric patients on long-term Parenteral Nutrition (PN). We aim to evaluate whether lipid droplet diameters of these admixtures maintain the recommended range of 0.4-1.0 μm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Stability studies were carried out on six parenteral admixtures with carnitine, trace elements and electrolytes added in different amounts. Each admixture was formulated with five different lipid emulsions with or without fish oil. Analyses were performed at time 0 (t = 0) and 24, 48, 72, 96 (t = 96) hours after compounding. Droplet diameters were determined by Light Scattering-Reverse Fourier Optics Technique. Samples, stored at 4 °C, were triple tested for a total of 450 analyses. Regression analyses were performed using panel-data techniques.

RESULTS

During the 4 days, lipid droplet diameters were in the expected range of 0.4-1.0 μm regardless of trace element and carnitine amounts in all admixtures apart from those containing fish-oil based emulsions and calcium concentrations equal to 4.5 mmol/L. In these latter admixtures, 12% of droplet diameters were larger than 1.0 μm and 2% exceeded 5.0 μm immediately after compounding.

CONCLUSION

Carnitine and high concentrations of trace elements do not affect PN admixtures stability and can be safely infused in long-term home-PN paediatric patients and prematures. Only high calcium concentrations in compresence with fish oil based lipid emulsions seem to change PN stability.

Parenteral nutrition admixtures for pediatric patients compounded with highly refined fish oil-based emulsion: assessment of physicochemical stability

Fish oil-based emulsion is increasingly used in pediatric patients receiving Parenteral Nutrition (PN). However, its unique use in children on long-term PN is nutritionally debatable as some patients are better off with a mixture of long-chain (LCT) or long-chain + medium-chain (LCT + MCT) triglycerides along with Fish Oil (FO). Lipid emulsions are safely infused when particle diameter ranges between 0.4 and 1.0 micron (like chylomicra), according to European guidelines. No data exist on Fish Oil stability when added to other PN components typically present in pediatric formulations such as other lipids or micronutrients. Our goal is to evaluate the stability of a highly refined FO-emulsion in PN admixtures containing LCT or LCT + MCT triglycerides and different calcium content. Stability studies were carried out on six PN admixtures having two levels of calcium concentration compounded with olive oil LCT + FO, LCT + MCT + FO emulsion and pure FO alone, respectively. The analyses were performed immediately at time 0 (t = 0) and 24, 48, 72, 96 (t = 96) hours after compounding. Particle diameters were determined by Light Scattering-Reverse Fourier Optics Technique by means of a Laser Granulometer. Every sample was stored at 4 °C and triple tested. Statistical significance was verified by f-test. In all admixtures, physicochemical stability did not change between t = 0 and t = 96 and particle diameters were in the expected range of 0.4-1.0 micron provided calcium concentration remained below 4.5 mmol/L. When calcium exceeded that level, 12% of particle diameters was larger than 1.0 micron and 2% exceeded 5.0 micron immediately after compounding. In particular, admixtures compounded with olive oil LCT + FO emulsion or FO emulsion alone showed lower particle diameters compared to admixture with olive/soybean LCT alone, probably due to a different steric encumbrance of oleic acid and omega-3 fatty acid. In the PN admixtures tested, containing FO-emulsion alone or in combination with olive LCT or LCT + MCT, the fat emulsion appears to be stable and safe for infusion when calcium concentration is maintained below 4.5 mmol/L. If calcium level exceeds 4.5 mmol/L, as often required in premature patients, it is advisable to infuse FO emulsion alone through a second intravenous line.

Multi-criteria decision analysis for waste management in Saharawi refugee camps

The aim of this paper is to compare different waste management solutions in Saharawi refugee camps (Algeria) and to test the feasibility of a decision-making method developed to be applied in particular conditions in which environmental and social aspects must be considered. It is based on multi criteria analysis, and in particular on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a mathematical technique for multi-criteria decision making (Saaty, T.L., 1980. The Analytic Hierarchy Process. McGraw-Hill, New York, USA; Saaty, T.L., 1990. How to Make a Decision: The Analytic Hierarchy Process. European Journal of Operational Research; Saaty, T.L., 1994. Decision Making for Leaders: The Analytic Hierarchy Process in a Complex World. RWS Publications, Pittsburgh, PA), and on participatory approach, focusing on local community's concerns. The research compares four different waste collection and management alternatives: waste collection by using three tipper trucks, disposal and burning in an open area; waste collection by using seven dumpers and disposal in a landfill; waste collection by using seven dumpers and three tipper trucks and disposal in a landfill; waste collection by using three tipper trucks and disposal in a landfill. The results show that the second and the third solutions provide better scenarios for waste management. Furthermore, the discussion of the results points out the multidisciplinarity of the approach, and the equilibrium between social, environmental and technical impacts. This is a very important aspect in a humanitarian and environmental project, confirming the appropriateness of the chosen method.

LCA of integrated MSW management systems: case study of the Bologna District

LCA as a decision-supporting tool in planning integrated municipal solid waste management is not, as yet, widely used in Italy. This paper presents a study concerning the application of the LCA methodology to support the development of the new waste management plan for the Bologna District. The main goal of the study was to show decision-makers at the political level the benefits obtainable with the use of LCA, in terms of the identification and quantification of the potential environmental impacts of different waste management strategies. The integrated waste management system of the Bologna District includes waste collection and transport, sorting, recycling, composting, incineration and landfilling. Three scenarios, referring to 2006 and assuming the presence of 950,000 inhabitants and the production of approximately 566,000 t of waste in the district, have been compared. A detailed model has been developed in order to capture effects related to the waste fraction from separated collection and to the different waste treatments. The discussion of the results has focussed in particular on the greenhouse effect and the acidification potential. On the basis of the results obtained, the analysis of an additional scenario characterised by a further increase in separated collection has been put forward.

Analysis of all-in-one parenteral nutrition admixtures by liquid chromatography and laser diffraction: study of stability

All-in-one parenteral nutrition admixtures are complex lipid emulsions (oil/water) which require absolute sterility, stability and no precipitates. Particle diameter must be in the range 0.4--1 microm in order to mime the size of chylomicra. Added vitamins must not degrade during infusion time (24 h). In this study, the physicochemical stability of parenteral nutrition admixtures was tested in the course of time at different storage temperatures. Two liquid chromatographic methods, based on solid phase extraction (SPE), were developed for fat-soluble vitamin determination. Stability studies were carried out on three industrial lipid emulsions and on six compounded all-in-one admixtures. They were stored at three different temperatures: 4 degrees C (storage), 25 degrees C (compounding) and 37 degrees C (infusion); then they were analyzed at starting time and at 24, 48 and 72 h after compounding. Particle diameter was determined by means of Laser Particle Sizer Analysette 22, which uses laser diffraction technique (light scattering -- reverse Fourier optics). Fat-soluble vitamins (retinol palmitate and alpha-, delta-, gamma-tocopherol) were determined in admixtures with a branded vitamin compound called Idroplurivit Liofilizzato. Samples were extracted by SPE on C(18) cartridges, then they were separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) and detected by ultraviolet detection (retinol palmitate) and electrochemical detection (tocopherols). Laser diffraction analysis pointed out that particle size did not change in the course of time at the tested temperatures. LC analysis showed that vitamins interact each other and degrade after compounding at different times and storage temperatures; only retinol palmitate is stable at 37 degrees C. Retinol palmitate recovery was 98%, coefficient of variation (CV) 5.4%, detection limit 25 microg/l, limit of quantitation 75 microg/l and there were not interfering substances. Tocopherols average recovery was 99%, CV 3.5%, detection limit 15 ng/l and limit of quantitation 50 ng/l. In conclusion, all-in-one parenteral admixtures were proved to be physically stable under analysis conditions, but degradation of retinol palmitate and tocopherols requires admixtures with vitamins to be infused within 24 h after compounding.