Chapter 2 Characterization

Instant Quiz

Which is the range of composition for food waste in Cities of SEA region?A 20-30% B 40-50% C 70-

80%

Which is the typical value of moisture content of collected MSW in USA 10% B 25% C 40%

ContentsProperties of SWComposition of SW and Options for Recovery or Reuse

Physical, chemical and biological properties

Properties of SWTo design and operation of the functional

elements associated with the SWM, it requiresSources + types of SWData on the composition and rates of

generationSources of solid waste

Related to land use and zoningCan be categorized as

ResidentialInstitutionalMunicipal servicesCommercialIndustrialAgricultural

Sources Of SW

Sources Of SW

Sources Of SW

Schematic Diagram of the Definition of SW

Special Wastes in MSWInclude

Bulky itemsConsumer electronicsWhite goodsYard wastes that are collected separatelyBatteries, oil and tire

Usually handled separately from other residential and commercial waste

Special Wastes in MSWBulky wastes

Large worn out or broken household, commercial and industrial itemsFurniture, lamps, bookcases, filling cabinets, and other

similar itemsConsumer electronics includes worn out, broken, and other

no longer wanted items such as radios , stereos, and television sets.

White goods Large worn out or broken household, commercial,

and industrial appliancesSuch as stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes

washers and dryersCollected separately

Usually dismantled for the recovery of specific materials (e.g., copper, aluminium, etc.)

Special Wastes in MSWBrown goods

All kind of consumer electronics such as radios, stereo appliances, tv-sets, toys

Hazardous wastesWastes or combinations of wastes that pose

due to their quantity and composition a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or living organisms

Special Wastes in MSWInstitutional waste

Include government centers, schools, prisons, and hospitalsHealth care waste

Solid and liquid wastes produced during the diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, prevention of disease or alleviation of handicap in humans and animals together with the research related to those activities

WHO Handbook on Health Care Waste Management In most hospitals medical wastes are handled and processed

separately

Municipal servicesOperation and maintenance of municipal facilities

Street sweepings, road side litter, landscape and tree trimmings, catch basin debris, dead animals, and abandoned vehicles

Special Wastes in MSWTreatment plant wastes

Solid and semisolid wastes from water,ww and industrial wastes treatment facilities

WW treatment plant sludgeCommonly co-disposed with MSW in municipal landfills or

incinerated at MSWIMaterials remaining from the combustion of wastes

Categorized as ashes and residues Composed of fine, powdery materials, cinders, clinkers,

and small amounts of burned and partially unburned materials

Glass, crockery, and various metals are also foundResidues from flue gas cleaning (air pollution control

residue)

Other WastesIndustrial solid waste

Sources and types of SW generated at industrial sites Depend on various processes and products related

wastes and hazardous wastesConstruction and demolition waste

Wastes from the construction, remodeling, and repairing of individual residences, commercial buildings and other structures

Variable composition but may includeDirt, stones, concrete, bricks, plaster, lumber, shingles and

plumbing, heating and electrical partsSimilar to construction waste but may include broken glass

and reinforcing steel

Other WastesAgricultural wastes

From diverse agricultural activitiesPlanting and harvesting of row, field, tree and vine

crops; thr production of milk; the production of animals for slaughter; and the operation of feedlots

Typical composition of MSW

Typical composition of MSW

Compostion MSW in Kuala Lumpur

General Stream of SWM Activities

Main stream of MSW in Bangkok

Attempts in MSW Separation and Collection in Bangkok

Properties of MSWPhysical

Specific weight, moisture content, particle size and size distribution, field capacity, compacted waste porosity (permeability)

ChemicalImportant in evaluating alternative processes and

recovery optionsProximate analysis, fusing point of ash, ultimate analysis

(major elements), energy content

Biological Important in considering organic fractionCorresponding to biodegradability and production

of odor

Physical PropertiesSpecific weight

Weight of material per unit volumeKg/m3, lb/yd3

Sometime referred as densityOften reported as

Loose, compacted, uncompacted, as found in containers

Depend on Geographic location, season of the year, length of

time in storage

Specific weight of MSW

Specific weight of MSW

Moisture Content of MSW

Physical PropertiesField capacity

Total amount of moisture that can be retained in a waste sample subject to downward pull of gravityDetermining the formation of landfill leachateWater in excess will be released as leachate

Depend onApplied pressureState of decomposition of waste

Permeability of compacted wastesOr hydraulic conductivity

Important in governing the movement of gases and liquid in landfill site

Chemical PropertiesUsed for

Determining alternative processing + recovery options

E.g: combustion, composting, etc.To use MSW as fuel, it is to consider

Proximate analysisFusing (melting) point of ashUltimate analysis (major elements)Energy content

Chemical PropertiesProximate analysis = analysis for

combustible componentsMoisture contentVolatile combustible matterFixed carbonAsh

Chemical Properties

Chemical Properties

Chemical Properties

Chemical Properties

Chemical PropertiesFusing Point of Ash

Temp that cause ash (from burning wastes) from a solid (clinker) by fusion and agglomeration

Typical range = 1,100-1,200 °C

May cause operational problems in incineration

Chemical PropertiesUltimate analysis

To determine chemical compositionC, H, O, N, S and ashHalogen group

Cl, Br, ….

Data is used forDetermine C.N ratio for composting or

biological conversion processesAwareness of chlorinated compounds

Dioxin, Furan, etc

Chemical Properties – Ultimate analysis

Chemical PropertiesEnergy content

Trace elementsK, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, etcImportant for the production of biological

conversion product as the essential nutrient

Chemical Properties – Energy contents

Biological PropertiesOrganic fractions of MSW

Water soluble constituentsSugars, starches, amino acid, organic acids, etc

HemicelluloseCelluloseFats, oil, waxesLigninLignincelluloseProtein

However, the important biological properties are to determineBiodegradability of organic fractionsProduction of odors, breeding of flies

Biological PropertiesBiodegradability of organic fractions

Determined by volatile solid (VS) content Ignition at 550 °C

But, may misinterpret for some componentsNewsprint high VS but low biodegradabilityFood wastes low VS but high biodegradability

Production of odorsResultant of anaerobic decomposition

SO4-2 reduced to sulfide (S2-) + combine with H

H2S

Significant in a long storage and warm climate

Applications of MSW Properties & CompositionTo determine

Appropriate transformation processesSeparation, reduction, combustion, composting, etc

Improving efficiencies transformation processesE.g. moisture content + C/N composting reactions

To design recovery methodsReuse + recycling materialsConversion products + energy

MSW in Kuala Lumpur

Transformation processes for MSW

Transformation processes for MSW

Transformation processes for MSW