[32]New methodology for hazardous waste classification using fuzzy set theory：Part II．Intelligent decision support system.pdfVIP

Available online at Journal of Hazardous Materials 157 (2008) 94–105 New methodology for hazardous waste classification using fuzzy set theory Part II. Intelligent decision support system N. Musee ∗, C. Aldrich, L. Lorenzen Centre for Process Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa Received 23 March 2007; received in revised form 21 December 2007; accepted 28 December 2007 Available online 5 January 2008 Abstract In part 1 of this paper, factors that influence hazards and eco/toxicity in composite hazardous wastes were described. In part 2, a computer-aided decision support tool based on fuzzy set theory is proposed to support the classification of composite wastes. Given the chemical properties, the nature of microorganisms that may be present, the behaviour of chemicals in humans and ecosystems, and the quantities of wastes, the computer- aided tool automatically classifies the waste as benign, partially hazardous, hazardous or highly hazardous. The functionality of the computer-aided decision tool is demonstrated through nine worked examples and the results are discussed in detail. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Waste classification; Fuzzy logic; Fuzzy sets; Uncertainty; Aggregation; Composite hazardous wastes 1. Introduction ecosystems. In addition, more than 8.4 million substances are currently commercially available globally, of which a