WASTE CHARACTERIZATION

Municipal Solid Waste

Overview
 Waste characterization is a method used to
determine the types of materials being
discarded in a waste stream and in what
proportion.
 Waste characterization information can help
policy makers and city planners reduce
landfill waste, set up recycling programs, and
conserve money and resources.
 In fact, a waste characterization study
typically precedes waste diversion studies
and strategies.
Characterizing Waste
 Physical, geotechnical, chemical and
biological properties of municipal solid
wastes are important for the design of an
integrated management system.
Physical and Geotechnical
properties of MSW
 Specific Waste
 Moisture Content
 Particle size and size distribution
 Field Capacity
 Permeability
Chemical Properties of MSW
 Chemical properties of municipal solid
wastes are required in the design of various
processes
 such as energy recovery or composting.
 The choice of combustion processes
depends upon the chemical composition of
solid wastes.
 For Energy recovery considerations, the
following are some of the important analyses
to be carried out.
 Proximate Analysis
Is carried out to determine its moisture
content, volatile combustion matter, fixed
carbon and ash content.
 Volatile combustion matter : is the loss of wt.
on ignition of the dried waste sample at 950
degree Celsius in a covered crucible.
 Fixed-C is the combustible residue that is
left after the volatile matter is removed from
the waste.
 Ash content is determined as the wt. of
residue of waste after combustion in an
open crucible.
 Fusing Point of Ash
Is the temp. at which the ash resulting from
the burning of wastes forms a solid clinker
by fusion or agglomeration.
Typically fusing temp. for formation of
clinker from solid waste range from 1100-
1200 deg Celsius.
 Ultimate Analysis of MSW
Of a component of waste consists of
determination of percentage of its various
chemical constituents e.g., C, H, O, N, S, Ash
and Halogens.
UA is an important parameter in selection
of various waste processes.
C/N ratio is an important factor for
composting as it controls biological
conversion activity of wastes.
Typical Chemical Composition of
MSW
Carbon and Hydrogen Analysis
 It is also part of UA. And can be used for
calculation of combustion parameters.
 The determination involves burning of
samples to convert C to carbon dioxide and
hydrogen to water.
 The combustion is carried out in the stream
of high purity O
 The stream passes through the sample and a
train of a water absorber, a carbon dioxide
absorber, and a second water absorber.
 CO2 and H2O are thus recovered in the
absorption.
Energy Content of MSW
 EC of MSW is the net calorific value of the
wastes.
 It is the heat produced by a quantity of
waste, at constant volume and at a constant
pressure of 1 atmosphere.
 It is assumed to that all the water in the
waste remains in the form of vapors.
 The EC of the MSW is determined by the
means of Bomb Calorimeter under
controlled conditions.
 Modified Dulong Formula is used to
determine the energy content of MSW.