Guidelines for Characterisation of Document No.

Hazardous Waste from Various 8-1741-0100

Industries Rev. No.1
Page 1 of 8

GUIDELINES FOR CHARACTERISATION OF

HAZARDOUS WASTE FROM VARIOUS

INDUSTRIES

1 09.07.07 Reaffirmed and Reissued DDC DRC HOD

Issued for Implementation (after revising to meet
0 29.07.02 DDC DRC HOD
ISO-9001,2K version requirements)
Approved
Rev. No Date Purpose Prepared by Reviewed by
by

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 Guidelines for Characterisation of Document No.
Hazardous Waste from Various 8-1741-0100
Industries Rev. No.1
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Abbreviations:

NIL

Document Drafting Committee Members:

Mr. Pratap Singh, Manager

Mr. Kasbe Vinaynaryan, Dy.Manager
Mr. P.K.Goel, Dy. Manager

Document Review Committee Members

Mr. B.B.Lal, AGM

Mr. V. S. Chhaya, AGM
Mr. Susheel Sadh, Sr. Manager

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 Guidelines for Characterisation of Document No.
Hazardous Waste from Various 8-1741-0100
Industries Rev. No.1
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CONTENTS

CLAUSE NO. TITLE PAGE NO.

1. PURPOSE 4

2. SCOPE 4

3. REFERENCES 4

4. DEFINITIONS 4

5. METHODOLOGY 4

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 Guidelines for Characterisation of Document No.
Hazardous Waste from Various 8-1741-0100
Industries Rev. No.1
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1.0 PURPOSE

This document gives guidelines for characterizing hazardous/solid waste generated

from various industries

2.0 SCOPE

This document is useful while designing hazardous/solid waste management for

various industries.

3.0 REFERENCES

Notification of the Government of India (Part II-Section 3, Subsection (ii) vide No.
S.O. 10 (E) dated 8th January, 1999

4.0 DEFINITIONS

Nil

5.0 METHODOLOGY

Waste substances which are either generated in the process indicated in column-2
of Schedule-1 and consists of wholly or partly of the waste substances referred to
in coumn-3 of the same schedule or which consists wholly or partly of substances
indicated in Schedule –2, unless the concentration of the substances is less than
the limit indicated in the same schedule of the notification of the Government of
India (Part II-Section 3, Subsection (ii) vide No. S.O. 10 (E) dated 8th January, 1999
are categorized as hazardous wastes.

Waste inventorization and characterization is a collective effort involving facility

managers, analytical scientists and technology providers. Quantity of waste
generated alongwith its physical and chemical characteristics is essential
information for the development of any hazardous waste management plan. Apart
from the technical considerations, this information is also required to fulfill
regulatory obligations.

Waste quantity and composition are subject to fluctuation depending upon the
process of operation. Waste disposal facility must be provided to cope with peak
waste output. Historical records, if any, will provide valuable information.

Extensive interaction with facility operators shall also be planned to get authentic
information on quantity and type of waste. In addition theoretical approach will also
be utilized based on the knowledge of process operation.

5.1 Characterising Waste

Understanding the physical and chemical properties of a waste and sampling and
analysis procedures is the cornerstone upon which the subsequent strategies
depend on Knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of the waste is
crucial in identifying waste reduction opportunities.

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It is necessary in gauging what risks a waste may pose to surface water, ground
water, and air. It drives the selection of a liner or the choice of land application
methods. It is needed to determine which constituents to test for if conducting
ground-water monitoring. Knowledge of waste generation processes, analytical
testing, or some combination of the two to estimate waste constituent
concentrations will be utilized. No matter, which approach is used in characterizing
a waste, the important goal is to maximize the knowledge available to make the
important decisions.

5.1.1 Waste Characterization Through Process Knowledge

Waste characterization begins with an understanding of the industrial processes

that generate a waste. As a starting point, information about the waste itself such as
the physical state of the waste, the volume, and the composition will be obtained. In
addition, enough information about the process to enable proper characterization of
the waste will be obtained.

5.1.2 Waste Characterization Through Leachate Testing

The intent of leaching and extraction tests is to estimate the release of waste
constituents into ground water. The importance of estimating potential constituent
concentrations that may leach to ground water is underscored by the fact that the
ground water software model, Industrial Waste Management Evaluation Model,
(IWEM), generally used in waste management studies, determines expected
leachate concentrations to develop recommended liner system designs. If the total
concentration of all the constituents in a waste has been estimated using process
or industry knowledge, estimates of the maximum possible concentration of these
constituents in leachate can be made using the dilution ratio of the leachate test to
be performed.

5.2 Sampling and Analysis Plan

One of the more critical elements in proper waste characterization is the plan for
sampling and analyzing the waste. The sampling plan will be a written document,
specifically prepared for this project, that describes the objectives and details of the
individual tasks of a sampling effort and how they will be performed. This plan will
be carefully thought out, well in advance of sampling. The more detailed the
sampling plan, the less opportunity for error or misunderstanding during sampling,
analysis, and data treatment.

To ensure that the sampling plan is designed properly, a wide-range of personnel

will be consulted. The end user of the data, an experienced member of the sampling
team, a senior analytical chemist, an engineer who understands the manufacturing
processes, a statistician, and a quality assurance representative all needed will be
involved in the development of a sampling plan. Development of sampling plans
requires background information about the waste and the unit. Knowledge of the
waste location and situation, decisions as to the types of samples needed, and
decisions as to the sampling design will be required. The plan will address the
following considerations:

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- Waste generation and handling processes;

- Determination of a representative sample;
- Constituents/parameters to be sampled;
- Data quality objectives;
- Statistical methods to be employed in the analyses;
- Physical and chemical properties of the waste;
- Accessibility of the unit;
- Sampling equipment, methods and sample containers;
- Quality assurance and quality control (e.g. sample preservation and
handling requirements);
- Health and safety aspects

Some of these factors are discussed below. Additional information on data quality
objectives and quality assurance and quality control are found in several sources
such as Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods –
SW-846, Guidance for the Data Quality Objectives Process (EPA600-R-96-055),
Guidance on Quality Assurance Project Plans (EPA600-R-98-018), and Guidance
for the Data Quality Assessment: Practical Methods for Data Analysis (EPA600-R-
96-084).

5.2.1 Representative Waste Sampling

The first step in any analytical testing process is to obtain a sample that is
representative of the physical and chemical composition of a waste. The term
“representative sample” is commonly used to denote a sample that has the
properties and composition of the population from which it was collected and in the
same proportions as found in the population. This can be misleading unless dealing
with a homogenous waste from which one sample can represent the whole
population. Because most industrial wastes are not homogeneous, many different
factors will be considered in obtaining samples that are collectively representative of
a waste. Examples of factors that will be considered include:

- Physical state of the waste

- Composition of the waste
- Waste generation and handling processes
- Transitory events

The appropriate number of samples to employ in a waste characterization is at least

the minimum number of samples required to generate a sufficiently precise estimate
of the true mean concentration of a chemical contaminant in a waste. A number of
mathematical formulas exist for determining the appropriate number of samples
depending on the statistical precision required.

The type of sampling plan developed will vary depending on the sampling location.
This involves establishing an imaginary three-dimensional grid or sampling points in
the waste and then using random-number tables or random-number generators to
select points for sampling. Hollow-stem augers combined with split-spoon samplers
are frequently appropriate for sampling landfills.

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5.2.2 Representative Waste Analysis

Once a representative sample has been collected, it will be preserved to maintain

the physical and chemical properties that it possessed at the time of collection.
Sample types, types of sample containers, and their preparation and preservation
methods are all important in maintaining the integrity of the sample. The analytical
chemist will develop an analytical plan which is appropriate for the sample to be
analyzed, the constituents/parameters to be analyzed for, and the end use of the
information required.

The overview of the analytical approach for waste characterization depends on the
specific type of industry. The procedures or supporting documentation related to
following major areas have to be reviewed for drawing up the plan.

• Waste Characteristics
• Proximate Analysis
• Survey Analysis
• Directed Analysis

Following four parameters shall be analyzed for characterizing the waste as

hazardous:

• Ignitability
• Corrosivity
• Reactivity
• Toxicity (Extraction Procedure Test)

The extraction procedure test is to be carried out using USEPA’s Toxicity

Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) protocol. The waste’s toxicity
characteristics shall be established by analyzing the leachate for identified volatile
& semi-volatile compounds and metals.

The results of the TCLP will also be of main interest, in view of the fact that the
details help in deciding upon liner material for the landfill.

The objective of the Proximate Analysis will be to define the physical form of the
waste and arrive at an approximate mass balance. The analysis will be mainly
carried out for the following parameters:

• Moisture Content (Volatile)

• Ash Content
• Dry bulk density
• Heating value of the waste
• Metals

The results of the proximate analysis help in determining the relevant

characteristics for incinerable as well as landfillable wastes.

The results of directed analysis furnish the overall description of sample with
estimated quantities of major components. The following major parameters shall
be analyzed:
• Total Organic Content
• Specific major organic components

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• Specific major inorganic elements
The analysis of all identified parameters shall be carried out in line with the
Protocols developed by United States Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials Standards).

The respective Quality Assurance and Quality Control measures, including the
sample preservation techniques etc., as outlined in the protocols will be strictly
adhered to.

5.2.2 Leachate Test Selection

Leaching tests are used to estimate potential concentration or amount of waste

constituents that may leach from a waste to ground water. Typical leaching tests
use a specified leaching fluid mixed with the solid portion of a waste for a specified
time. Solids are then separated from the leaching solution and the solution is tested
for waste constituent concentrations. The type of leaching test performed may vary
depending on the chemical, biological, and physical characteristics of the waste, the
environment in which the waste will be placed, as well as the recommendations or
requirements of the regulatory bodies.

When selecting the most appropriating analytical procedures, at least the physical
state of the sample using process and generator knowledge, the constituents to be
analyzed, detection limits, and the specified holding times of the analytical methods
will be considered. It may not be cost-effective or useful to conduct a test with
detection limits at or greater than the constituent concentrations in a waste. There
are several general categories of phases in which samples can be categorised:
solids, aqueous, sludges, multiphase samples, ground water, and oil and organic
liquid. A suitable procedure will be selected that is designed for the specific sample
type.

After assessing the state of the waste, assessment of the environment in which the
waste is placed will be carried out. For example, an acidic environment may require
a different test than a non-acidic environment. If the waste management u nit is
receiving only monofill, then the characteristics of the waste will determine most of
the unit’s conditions. Conversely, if wastes are being co-disposed wastes must be
considered, including the constituents that may be leached by the subject waste.

A brief summary of the TCLP test is provided below. The complete procedures for
all of these tests are also provided in SW-846 or in the Annual Book of ASTM
Standards Volume or in 11.04.

5.2.3.1 Toxicity Characteristic Leaching procedure (TCLP)

The TCLP is the test required to determine whether a waste is a toxicity

characteristic hazardous waste. The TCLP estimates the leachability of certain
hazardous constituents from solid waste under a defined set of laboratory
conditions. It evaluates the leaching of metals, volatile and semivolatile organic
compounds, and pesticides from wastes. The TCLP does not simulate the release
of contaminants to non ground-water pathways. The TCLP is most commonly used
by regulatory agencies to evaluate the leaching potential of wastes, and to estimate
likely risks to ground water.

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