Stabilization / solidification: characterization, classification and application in the treatment and management of solid residue from chemical laboratories

Abstract

Higher education institutions represent a problem related to the treatment and final disposal of waste generated in their laboratories. Thus, the objective of this study is to apply the stabilization / solidification technique in the treatment of solid waste from chemical laboratories (RSL) in order to provide its proper disposal. The tests consist of the characterization and classification of the materials used (RSL, cement, sand and gravel). One-way experimental planning with three replications was applied. The evaluated factor was the percentage of solid waste from the laboratory (10, 30 and 45%) and through the experiments, it was possible to observe the following response variables: Compression Resistance (RC), Water Absorption Capacity (CAA), Humidification / Drying (U / S) and Leaching. Finally, statistical analysis of the data, mass balance and calculation of the retention efficiency of heavy metals cadmium and nickel in the cement matrix was performed. All treatments passed the RC, CAA, U / S tests. The evaluated residue remained in Class I (Dangerous), however, all treatments carried out showed efficiency of retention of heavy metals cadmium and nickel above 98%, indicating that stabilization / solidification is a viable option to attenuate the amount of heavy metals present in solid waste from chemical laboratories.