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BACK
ON
TRACK
Mir Kazim Ali and Ian Harrison,
Process Solutions Canada Ltd,
discuss the
modernisation of waste material tracking of
alternative fuels/raw materials.
W
aste generation is a global issue that represents many
challenges and opportunities. Approximately, “2 billion t
of solid waste (2016) is expected to rise to 3.4 billion t by
2050”.
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The global cement industry has taken an active
role in waste reduction by utilising the waste as alternate fuel/raw material
(AFR) in cement kilns. Cement companies realise the ethical responsibility
of minimising CO
2
emissions and reducing the amount of waste going to
long-term storage or landfill.
Process Solutions Canada Ltd (PSCL) responded to the issue in
early partnerships with the industry. In the late 1990s, it worked with a
customer to develop a solution, which came in the form of the Waste
Fuels Information Management System (WFIMS). This solution has been
implemented in over 25 facilities in the US, Canada, and Australia. Recent
consolidation in the AFR market affected the WFIMS customer base, giving
PSCL the opportunity to modernise and enhance the product. One of the
major influences was a regulatory change for electronic manifests for waste
materials.
WFIMS provides a comprehensive solution for the management of
information regarding the analyses, approvals, handling, and processing of
waste material streams as alternative fuel sources in cement kilns. WFIMS
allows users to trace efficiently pre‑qualified waste streams, shipments,
and analytical samples. Further, it facilitates reporting requirements for both
customers and regulators.
The primary components of the current WFIMS Suite are the following:
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Qualification creation.
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Qualification approval.
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A laboratory module.
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A waste tracking module.
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Inventory management.
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Data query and reporting.
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An inventory scanner.
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Safety.