Environmental footprint analysis for contaminated soil remediation in paper mill based on SEFA tool

WANG Guiyun; SANG Chunhui; XIAO Meng; NIE Yuxin; YANG Xintong; ZHANG Hongzhen; LI Xianglan

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202501009

Volume 43 Issue 1

Mar. 2025

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2025 > 43(1): 80-88

WANG Guiyun, SANG Chunhui, XIAO Meng, NIE Yuxin, YANG Xintong, ZHANG Hongzhen, LI Xianglan. Environmental footprint analysis for contaminated soil remediation in paper mill based on SEFA tool[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(1): 80-88. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202501009

Citation:

WANG Guiyun, SANG Chunhui, XIAO Meng, NIE Yuxin, YANG Xintong, ZHANG Hongzhen, LI Xianglan. Environmental footprint analysis for contaminated soil remediation in paper mill based on SEFA tool[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(1): 80-88. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202501009

Citation:

WANG Guiyun, SANG Chunhui, XIAO Meng, NIE Yuxin, YANG Xintong, ZHANG Hongzhen, LI Xianglan. Environmental footprint analysis for contaminated soil remediation in paper mill based on SEFA tool[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(1): 80-88. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202501009

PDF( 5555 KB)

Environmental footprint analysis for contaminated soil remediation in paper mill based on SEFA tool

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202501009

1. College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;
2. Center for Soil Protection and Landscape Design, Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China

Received Date: 2024-03-29
Accepted Date: 2024-09-13
Rev Recd Date: 2024-08-24

Available Online: 2025-03-21

Publish Date: 2025-03-21

Abstract

Abstract

The paper industry generates a large amount of wastewater and sludge containing organic pollutants and heavy metals during its production process, leading to serious soil environmental pollution in the paper mill and its surrounding areas, which makes the soil remediation project for the paper mills and their surrounding areas more difficult. Consequently, there is an urgent need for environmental impact assessment to minimize the ecological footprint of the remediation process. Taking a contaminated site in a paper mill as an example, this study applied a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to analyze the environmental footprint of soil remediation efforts, aiming to explore a sustainable and environmentally friendly method for soil restoration. In this study, the SEFA (sustainable environmental footprint assessment) tool was used to calculate the environmental footprints of three alternative remediation scenarios: 1) ex-situ chemical oxidation combined with cement kiln co-processing (Scenario 1), 2) cement kiln co-processing alone (Scenario 2), and 3) ex-situ thermal desorption combined with soil washing (Scenario 3). The SEFA tool is developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, covering five core elements of GSR, and quantifying energy consumption and carbon footprint generated by remediation of contaminated sites. The results showed that regarding material consumption, total energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollutant emissions, the environmental impacts followed the order of Scenario 3 < Scenario 2 < Scenario 1. The carbon emissions from each remediation technique ranged from 0.05 to 0.66 t CO₂ e/m³. Additionally, Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis confirmed the robustness and reliability of the simulation results. Under the national background of the Dual-Carbon policy, China’s paper industry is constantly optimizing its industrial layout and building a low-carbon development cluster. These findings suggest that the SEFA tool is highly applicable for evaluating soil remediation options in the paper industry. It provides a framework for assessing both the environmental impact and the feasibility of different remediation strategies, demonstrating potential advantages for complex sites contaminated with organic pollutants and heavy metals. This paper can serve as a scientific foundation for decision-making and contribute to improving the environmental performance of soil remediation in the paper industry, helping to guide future efforts to address pollution in the sector.
- carbon neutrality,
- ex-situ chemical oxidation,
- co-processing in cement kilns,
- ex-situ thermal desorption,
- soil leaching

FullText(HTML)

References(41)

References

[1]	TRUDEAU N, TAM C, GRACZYK D, et al. Energy Transition for Industry: India and the Global Context[M]. Paris: International Energy Agency (IEA), Energy Technology Policy Division,2011.
[2]	HU Y, LI J, HONG M, et al. Short term electric load forecasting model and its verification for process industrial enterprises based on hybrid GA-PSO-BPNN algorithm: a case study of papermaking process[J]. Energy,2019,170: 1215-1227.
[3]	ZHANG Y, HONG M, LI J G, et al. Energy system optimization model for tissue papermaking process[J]. Computers and Chemical Engineering,2021,146:107220.
[4]	马乐凡,罗秋霞."双碳"目标下造纸工业绿色发展策略[J]. 中华纸业,2022,43(18): 2-8. MA L F, LUO Q X. Green Development strategy of China’s paper industry under the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals[J]. China Pulp and Paper Industry, 2022, 43(18): 2-8.
[5]	肖汉敏,黄喜鹏,黄伟豪,等.造纸污泥干燥焚烧的生命周期评价[J]. 中国造纸,2016,35(3):38-42. XIAO H M, HUANG X P, HUANG W H, et al. Life cycle assessment of paper sludge drying and combustion[J]. China Pulp & Paper, 2016, 35(3):38-42.
[6]	MOHAMMADI A,SANDBERG M,VENKATESH G,et al. Environmental analysis of producing biochar and energy recovery from pulp and paper mill biosludge[J]. Journal of Industrial Ecology,2019,23: 1039-1051.
[7]	宋易南,侯德义,赵勇胜,等.京津冀化工场地地下水污染修复治理对策研究[J]. 环境科学研究,2020,33(6): 1345-1356. SONG Y N, HOU D Y, ZHAO Y S, et al. Remediation strategies for contaminated groundwater at chemical industrial sites in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region[J]. Research of Environmental Science, 2020, 33(6): 1345-1356.
[8]	YAMAKI A, FUJII A, KANEMATSU Y, et al. Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of cogeneration energy hubs at Japanese paper mills with thermal energy storage[J]. Energy, 2023, 270: 126886.
[9]	严康,楼骏,汪海珍,等.污染地块研究现状与发展趋势:基于知识图谱的分析[J]. 土壤学报,2021,58(5):1234-1245. YAN K, LOU J, WANG H Z, et al. Research of contaminated sites based on knowledge graph analysis and its development trend[J]. Acta Pedologica Sinica,2021,58(5):1234-1245.
[10]	刘春红,贾学桦,肖小健,等."双碳"目标下,我国造纸工业减碳路径探究[J]. 中国造纸, 2023, 42(8): 26-30 ,91. LIU C H, JIA X H, XIAO X J, et al. Under the "Dual Carbon" target, the carbon reduction path of China’s paper industry[J]. China Pulp & Paper, 2023, 42(8): 26-30,91.
[11]	肖萌,刘鹏,孟豪,等.基于绿色可持续理念的污染地块修复碳足迹研究进展[J]. 土壤,2023,55(4):708-717. XIAO M, LIU P, MENG H, et al. Carbon footprint on remediation of contaminated sites based on concept of green and sustainability: a review[J]. Soils, 2023,55(4):708-717.
[12]	DERMONT G,BERGERON M,MERCIER G,et al. Soil washing for metal removal: a review of physical/chemical technologies and field applications[J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials,2008,152(1): 1-31.
[13]	孙绍锋,蒋文博,郭瑞,等.水泥窑协同处置危险废物管理与技术进展研究[J]. 环境保护,2015,43(1): 41-44. SUN S F, JIANG W B, GUO R, et al. Research on management and technology progress of co-processing hazardous waste in cement kiln[J]. Environmental Protection, 2015, 43(1): 41-44.
[14]	宋云,李培中,郝润琴.我国土壤固化/稳定化技术应用现状及建议[J]. 环境保护,2015,43(15): 28-33. SONG Y, LI P Z, HAO R Q. Analysis on the application status and advice of solidification/stabilization in China[J]. Environmental Protection, 2015, 43(15): 28-33.
[15]	刘爽,陈盼,宋慧敏,等.我国华东地区污染土壤异位热脱附修复碳排放及减排策略[J]. 环境工程学报,2022,16(8): 2663-2671. LIU S, CHEN P, SONG H M, et al. Carbon emissions and emission reduction strategy for remediation of contaminated soil by ex-situ thermal desorption in East China[J]. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering,2022,16(8): 2663-2671.
[16]	侯德义,张凯凯,王刘炜,等.工业地块重金属污染土壤治理现状与展望[J]. 环境保护,2021,49(20): 9-15. HOU D Y, ZHANG K K, WANG L W, et al. Current status and prospect for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated industrial sites[J]. Environmental Protection, 2021, 49(20): 9-15.
[17]	侯德义,李发生.污染土壤绿色可持续修复的内涵与发展方向分析[J]. 环境保护,2016,44(20):16-19. HOU D Y, LI F S. Green and sustainable remediation of contaminated soil in China: core elements and development direction[J]. Environmental Protection, 2016, 44(20):16-19.
[18]	桑春晖,杨欣桐,李香兰,等.基于SEFA方法的异位土壤修复环境足迹分析:以某钢铁厂为例[J]. 中国环境科学,2023, 43(10):5359-5367. SANG C H, YANG X T, LI X L, et al. Environmental footprint analysis of ectopic soil remediation based on SEFA method: a case study of a steel plant[J]. China Environmental Science, 2023, 43(10): 5359-5367.
[19]	KHAN M A A,QADIR Z,ASAD M,et al. Environmental footprint assessment of a cleanup at hypothetical contaminated site[J]. Applied Science,2021,11:4907.
[20]	周游,辛毅,冯彤,等.Sitewise^TM和SEFA方法测算污染地块修复环境足迹对比[J]. 中国环境科学,2023,43(10): 5339-5348. ZHOU Y, XIN Y, FENG T, et al. Environmental footprint analysis of contaminated site remediation based on Sitewise^TM and SEFA methods[J]. China Environmental Science, 2023,43(10):5339-5348.
[21]	桑春晖,杨欣桐,张红振,等.氰化物污染土壤修复工程环境足迹评估方法和案例研究[J].中国环境科学,2023,21(2):1-2. SANG C H, YANG X T, ZHANG H Z, et al. Environmental footprint assessment methods and case studies for cyanide-contaminated soil remediation projects[J]. China Environmental Science, 2023, 21(2):1-2.
[22]	HUANG W,HUNG W,VU C T,et al. Green and sustainable remediation (GSR) evaluation: framework, standards, and tool. A case study in Taiwan[J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International,2016,23(21): 21712-21725.
[23]	薛成杰,方战强.土壤修复产业碳达峰碳中和路径研究[J]. 环境工程,2022,40(8):231-238. XUE C J, FANG Z Q. Path of carbon emission peaking and carbon neutrality in soil remediation industry[J]. Environmental Engineering, 2022,40(8):231-238.
[24]	YASUTAKA T, ZHANG H,MURAYAMA K,et al. Development of a green remediation tool in Japan[J]. Science of the Total Environment,2016,563-564: 813-821.
[25]	HU X T, ZHU J X, DING Q. Environmental life-cycle comparisons of two polychlorinated biphenyl remediation technologies: incineration and base catalyzed decomposition[J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials,2011,191: 258-268.
[26]	VOCCIANTE M, DE FOLLY D’AURIS A, FRANCHI E, et al. CO₂ footprint analysis of consolidated and innovative technologies in remediation activitive[J]. Journal of Cleaner Production,2021,297: 126723.
[27]	RANDALL P, MEYER D, et al. Life cycle inventory (LCD) data-treatment chemicals, construction materials, transportation, on-site equipment, and other processes for use in spreadsheets for environmental footprint analysis (SEFA): revised addition[DB]. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/R-16/176a, 2016.
[28]	戚惠民.异位类Fenton化学氧化在多环芳烃污染地块修复中的应用[J]. 环境工程学报,2018,12(11): 3260-3268. QI H M. Application of ex-situ Fenton-like chemical oxidation in remedying PAHS polluted site[J]. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2018, 12(11): 3260-3268.
[29]	YANG Z S,WEI C L,SONG X,et al. Thermal conductive heating coupled with in situ chemical oxidation for soil and groundwater remediation: a quantitative assessment for sustainability[J]. Journal of Cleaner Production,2023,423: 138732.
[30]	吴翠华,于晓华,高军政,等.典型水泥窑协同处置废弃物的碳排放核算及碳减排分析[J]. 环境工程,2023,41(7): 30-36 ,60. WU C H, YU X H, GAO J Z, et al. Carbon emission accounting and reduction analysis of waste collaborative disposal in typical cement kilns[J]. Environmental Engineering, 2023, 41(7):30-36,60.
[31]	侯星宇,张芸,戚昱,等.水泥窑协同处置工业废弃物的生命周期评价[J]. 环境科学学报,2015,35(12):4112-4119. HOU X Y, ZHANG Y, QI Y, et al. 2015. Life cycle assessment of co-processing industrial waste in a cement kiln[J]. Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae, 35(12): 4112-4119.
[32]	O’BRIEN P L, DESUTTER T M, CASEY F X M, et al. Thermal remediation alters soil properties: a review[J]. Journal of Environmental Management,2018,206: 826-835.
[33]	HUANG M, WANG X, ZHU C, et al. Efficient chlorinated alkanes degradation in soil by combining alkali hydrolysis with thermally activated persulfate[J]. Journal of Hazard Mater,2022,438:129571.
[34]	ZHENG W, CUI T, LI H. Combined technologies for the remediation of soils contaminated by organic pollutants: a review[J]. Environmental Chemistry Letters,2022,20(3):2043-2062.
[35]	曹斌.水泥窑协同处置、异位化学氧化及抽出处理技术联合应用——修复某重金属及有机物复合污染场地工程案例[J]. 广东化工, 2021, 48(7):124-129. CAO B. Co-processing in cement kiln & ex-situ chemical oxidization & groundwater pump and treat combined application—remediating heavy metal and organic pollution sites[J]. Guangdong Chemical Industry, 2021, 48(7): 124-129.
[36]	VOLCHKO Y, NORRMAN J, ROSÉN L, et al. Using soil function evaluation in multi-criteria decision analysis for sustainability appraisal of remediation alternatives[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2014, (485/486): 785-791.
[37]	雷国建,聂静,文波,等.生物表面活性剂对矿区污染土壤淋洗效果研究[J].广东化工,2022,49(9):113-115. LEI G J, NIE J, WEN B, et al. Study on leaching effect of contaminated soil in mining area by biosurfactant[J].Guangdong Chemical Industry, 2022, 49(9):113-115.
[38]	杨宗政,李文轩,董春婷,等.螯合剂与低分子有机酸复配淋洗修复Cr(Ⅵ)污染土壤[J]. 农业环境科学学报, 2024, 43(3):543-552. YANG Z Z, LI W X, DONG C T, et al. Washing remediation of polluted Cr(Ⅵ)-containing soil using chelators compounded with low-molecular weight organic acids[J]. Journal of Agro-Environment Science, 2024, 43(3):543-552.
[39]	徐雷, 代惠萍, 魏树和.淋洗剂在重金属污染土壤修复中的研究进展[J]. 中国环境科学, 2021, 41(11):5237-5244. XU L, DAI H P, WEI S H. Advances of washing agents in remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil[J]. China Environmental Science, 2021, 41(11):5237-5244.
[40]	罗豪杰,潘俊,陈小霞,等.基于Monte-Carlo模拟的湖南省典型工厂周边农田土壤重金属区域潜在生态风险特征及来源解析[J]. 环境科学,2024,45(2):1038-1048. LUO H J, PAN J, CHEN X X, et al. Potential ecological risk characteristics and source apportionment of heavy metals in farmland soils around typical factories in hunan province based on Monte-Carlo simulation[J]. Environmental Science, 2024, 45(2):1038-1048.
[41]	陈卫平,谢天,李笑诺,等.中国土壤污染防治技术体系建设思考[J].土壤学报,2018,55(3):557-568. CHEN W P, XIE T, LI X N, et al. Thinking of construction of soil pollution prevention and control technology system in China[J]. Acta Pedologica Sinica, 2018, 55(3): 557-568.