Ionizing Radiation Technologies: Managing and Extracting Value from Wastes (Institute of Food Technologists Series)

Ionizing Radiation Technologies An authoritative overview of major advances in the application of ionizing radiation technologies to industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste products In Ionizing Radiation Technologies: Managing and Extracting Value from Wastes , a team of expert researchers delivers a broad overview of the value trapped in waste streams and how a strategic application of ionizing radiation technologies can be valuable from both an environmental and an economic perspective. A valuable addition to the discussions around sustainability and green technologies, the book introduces ionizing radiation technologies, including gamma (cobalt-60) irradiation and high and low energy electron beam technologies. The contributions included explore the major advances taking place in the application of ionizing radiation technologies to derive high value end-products from agricultural, municipal, and industrial wastes. Each chapter reviews original research and data and considers likely future directions in research and development. The book also includes: A thorough introduction to the application of ionizing radiation technologies to agricultural waste, including the production of activated carbon Comprehensive explorations of the application of ionizing radiation technologies to municipal waste, including municipal solid wastes and recycling wastewater Practical discussions of the application of ionizing radiation technologies to industrial waste, including textile wastewater management and polymer recycling In-depth examinations of the economics of waste valorization, including several case studies of businesses involved in waste valorization Perfect for consulting engineers and industry professionals involved in waste management and mitigation, Ionizing Radiation Technologies will also earn a place in the libraries of professionals at government agencies, international food organizations, and NGOs focused on waste management, environment sustainability, and urban planning. "Managing industrial, agricultural, and municipal wastes is a challenge that countries around the world must come to grapple with. The rapid urbanization coupled with the increasing demands that the growing population create requires that technologies need to be harnessed that provides a sustainable approach of managing wastes. According to 2018 US EPA data, an average American generates approximately 5 pounds of municipal solid waste each day which ultimately results in in a total of approximately 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated each year (EPA,2018). Municipal waste refers to wastes that consumers discard. This includes bottles, corrugated boxes, food, grass clippings, sofas, computers, tires and refrigerators. This MSW does not include construction and demolition debris, municipal wastewater sludge and non-hazardous industrial wastes. The management of MSW is of high priority to the local and state governments because these entities must deal with growing urbanization and shrinking land-filling or other disposal options. Therefore, reduction of MSW wastes and recycling of wastes are of high priority" -- Provided by publisher