ABSTRACT
M. NEFTALÍ ROJAS-VALENCIA*, DAVID MORILLÓN GÁLVEZ, SERGIO MARÍN MALDONADO, and JORGE EMIGDIO SÁNCHEZ PÓLITO
Institute of Engineering, Coordination of Environmental Engineering, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Post Box 70-472, Coyoacán 04510, D. F. Mexico, Mexico *Corresponding author. E-mail: nrov@pumas.iingen.unam.mx
ABSTRACT
The object of this study was to analyze the current situation, both at national and international levels, as regard to the recycling of solid wastes through the thermal treatment currently known as coprocessing. An exhaustive study of the companies in Mexico that have introduced the coprocessing approach was conducted focusing on the materials that are integrated in the process, the calorific capacity of the solid wastes used, and the savings generated by this strategy in terms of nonrenewable fossil fuels. For this purpose, articles, textbooks, journals, and congress proceedings were reviewed. The results showed that worldwide, 10 million tons of wastes and residues are coprocessed every year. Countries such as Japan, the United States of America, Canada, and members of the European Union have used coprocessing as an environmentally sustainable and economically viable alternative in their production processes. The cement industry in Germany, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland currently substitutes over 40% of its fuel needs by wastes especially conditioned for said purpose, reaching over 80% in Holland. In Latin America, in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, among others, substitution ranges from 7% to 18%. Based on the review of various studies, it can be concluded that if appropriately handled, coprocessing should not have an impact on the health of the people or the environment. For waste sustainable management, it is necessary to responsibly appraise the best disposal alternative.
