Muncipal Solid Waste

SWM – Solid waste management

SWM refers to collection, transportation, processing and disposal of MSW keeping
in mind environment, engineering, funds, time, aesthetics, hygiene and public
attitude.

1) Collection
2) Transportation
3) Processing
4) Disposal
Collection of MSW

• Collection crew

• Collection storage

• Collection frequency
Transportation of MSW

• Transport vehicles – Muscle driven cart Metadors Compacting/ Non-

compacting trucks

• Transport Route
 Shortest.
 Vehicle must not pass a point more than once.
 Loaded vehicle should move along downhill direction.
 Traffic jams, signals should be avoided.
Processing:
1) Separation of MSW
Manual Separation
Magnetic Separation : A magnetic separator applies basic magnetic principles to
remove ferrous based materials.
Trommel Screen : is used to separate materials by size.
Magnetic Separation

Trommel Screen
Processing:

1) Compaction of MSW
Volume reduction by Stationary/ Moving Compactors, Grinders, Shredders etc
Disposal of MSW

1) Open Dumping
Oldest Method
MSW is disposed in low lying areas far from city
Non Eco Friendly, non engineered, unhygienic, Foul smell, Fly/insect breeding.

2) Dumping in sea
Cheap
Limited to Coastal Cities
Sea depth > 30 meters
Toxic to aquatic Life
Some portion of dumped waste comes back and pollute shores.
Disposal of MSW

3) Sanitary Land Filling

a method of disposing of refuse on land without creating nuisances or hazards to public
health or safety, by utilizing the principles of engineering to confine the refuse to the smallest
practical area, to reduce it to the smallest practical volume, and to cover it with a layer of
earth at the conclusion of each day's operation, or at such more frequent intervals as may be
necessary.

Procedure:
• Refuse is dumped into low lying areas under engineered operations in height of 0.3 to
0.6 m till a height of 1.5m after which 15 to 30 cm soil cover is provided.
• Filling is done in Grid Pattern
• Insecticides like DDT are used
• Finally a soil cover of 60 cm is provided at top.
• Due Decomposition( Mostly anaerobic) waste get stablized and volume reduction upto
40 % is achieved of initial height.
Disposal of MSW

3) Sanitary Land Filling

a method of disposing of refuse on land without creating nuisances or hazards to public
health or safety, by utilizing the principles of engineering to confine the refuse to the smallest
practical area, to reduce it to the smallest practical volume, and to cover it with a layer of
earth at the conclusion of each day's operation, or at such more frequent intervals as may be
necessary.

Procedure:
• Refuse is dumped into low lying areas under engineered operations in height of 0.3 to
0.6 m till a height of 1.5m after which 15 to 30 cm soil cover is provided.
• Filling is done in Grid Pattern. Compaction is done.
• Insecticides like DDT are used.
• Finally a soil cover of 60 cm is provided at top.
• Due Decomposition( Mostly anaerobic) waste get stablized and volume reduction upto
40 % is achieved of initial height.
Disposal of MSW

3) Sanitary Land Filling

Advantages:
• Cheap, no costly equipment, less separation required, no residues, more eco friendly
than Open dumping.

Disadvantages:
• Low lying depressions may not be always available.
• Foul gases, fly nuisance, rodents, mosquito breeding.
• Frequent fires due CH4.
• Leachates – It is septic, toxic, poisonous water percolating out of MSW.
• ( Drainage system provided, Clay/ Synthetic liners- Geotextile/Butyl rubber lining is
provided)
Disposal of MSW

3) Sanitary Land Filling

Methods:
A) Area Method B) Trench Method c) Depression Method

Area Method:
Excavation not possible
Embankments are Constructed
Disposal of MSW

3) Sanitary Land Filling

Trench Method:
• Water table is well below
• Trench is Excavated

Depression Method
• Natural depression already exist
Disposal of MSW

3) Composting:
It is biological method of Conversion of organic MSW into Manure called compact or
Humus.

• Vermicomposting is a science of manufacturing compost using Earthworms

Carbon – Nitrogen ratio

Carbon is required by bacteria as Food/ Energy derivation whereas Nitrogen is required

for building Cell structures.

Ideal C/N 30 to 50
3) Composting:
Indore Method
• Aerobic Method
• Open at top, side space provided ( Pit depth 1.5 m)
• Alternate layers of Organic matter+Soil, 7.5 to 10 cm each
• Manual Turning in every 7—14 days for 2 to 3 months then left without turning for
further 1 to 2 months.
• Odor nuisance, Fly nuisance, Bad aesthetic appearance
• Good quality compost is prepared in 4 months

Banglore Method
• Anaerobic Method
• Closed at top, no side space (Pit size 10 x 1.5 x 1.5)
• Alternate layers of Organic matter+Soil, 7.5 to 10 cm each, top cover 15-20 cm
• No manual turning, Less Nuisance
• Temperature rises about 75 degrees
• Excellent quality compost is prepared in 4-6 months.
Disposal of MSW

4) Incineration
Incineration: Incineration is defined as the controlled burning of solid, liquid, or gaseous
wastes. It is mainly done for volume reduction, and also for extending the lifetime of the
land disposal facility. It operates on the principle of “waste to energy” by utilizing the
energy generated for space heating and electricity generation. Aerobic combustion will
result in the most complete transformation of solid waste to ash, gases, and heat energy.

Temprature generally maintained in chamber 815 to 1095 degrees

Costly Technology and Equipments
Air pollution (SOx & NOx)
Ashes and Residues
Disposal of MSW

5) Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of waste into gas and solid phases in the absence of
the external oxygen/air supply. The process takes place under the temperatures typically
around 500-700 degree Celcius. During pyrolysis plastic and tire breaks down into smaller
molecules of pyrolysis oil, pyrolysis gas and carbon black.
Air Pollution
Primary pollutants and secondary pollutants: Primary pollutants are substances that
are directly emitted into the atmosphere from sources. Primary pollutants are those
that are emitted directly from identifiable sources.
Secondary air pollutants are those that are produced in the air by the interaction of
two or more primary air pollutant.
Primary Air pollutants:-
(i) Oxides of sulfur
(ii) Oxides of nitrogen
(iii) Hydrocarbons
(iv) Carbon monoxide
(v) Halogens
(vi) Organic compounds
(vii) Radioactive compounds
(viii) Particulates
Primary pollutants and secondary pollutants: Primary pollutants are substances that
are directly emitted into the atmosphere from sources. Primary pollutants are those
that are emitted directly from identifiable sources. Secondary air pollutants are
those that are produced in the air by the interaction of two or more primary air
pollutant.
Primary Air pollutants:-
(i) Oxides of sulfur
(ii) Oxides of nitrogen
(iii) Hydrocarbons( Aldehydes)
(iv) Carbon monoxide
(v) Halogens
(vi) Organic compounds
(vii) Radioactive compounds
(viii) Particulates
Natural Contaminants: Pollen is important natural contaminant because of its peculiar
properties of irritation and allergy sometimes leading to bronchitis, asthma and dermatitis.
Pollen
Aerosols: Aerosols refer to the dispersion of solid or liquid particles of microscopic size in
theair. The diameter of the aerosol may range from 0.01 (or less) micron to 100 micron.
The various aerosols are as follows:-
(i) Dust: Dust is produced by the crushing, grinding.
1 to 1000 microns
(ii) Smoke: Smoke is made up of finely divided particles produced by incomplete
combustion.
0.5 to 1 micron
(iii) Mists: Mist is a light dispersion of minute water droplets in the atmosphere
Less than 10 micron
(v) Fumes: Fumes are solid particles generated by condensation from the gaseous state
after volatilization from melted substances.
0.03 to 0.3 microns
(i) Sulphur dioxide: It is a major air pollutant gas produced by the
combustion of fuels like coal. The main source of electricity production is
by burning of fossil fuels in India and the whole world. The sulphur
content of the coal varies from 1 to 4% and fortunately the Indian coal is
low in sulphur content. SO2 is also produced in the metallurgical
operations.
(ii) Oxides of nitrogen: Oxides of nitrogen are produced either in the
production of nitric acid or in the automobile exhausts and as the
effluent of power plants. Out of the seven oxides of Nitrogen (N2O, NO,
NO2, NO3, N2O3, N2O4, N2O5) only nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide
are classified as the main pollutants. All the oxides of nitrogen are
collectively known as NOX.
(iii) Carbon monoxide: It is produced because of the incomplete combustion
of coal and other petroleum products. It is produced in the exhaust of
automobiles. In the pollution check of vehicles mainly CO and unburnt
hydrocarbons are measured.
(iv) Hydrocarbons(Aldehydes): They are produced by the incomplete
oxidation of motor fuels and lubricating oil. They may also be formed
because of photochemical reactions. Formaldehydes are irritating to the
eyes.
(iv) Hydrogen sulphide: Hydrogen Sulphide is an obnoxious (bad smelling)
gas. It is produced mainly by the anaerobic (in absence of air) decomposition
of organic matter. Other air polluting sulfur compounds are methyl
mercaptan (CH3SH) and dimethyl sulphide (CH3-S-CH3) etc. Volcanoes also
liberate H2S.
(v) Hydrogen fluoride: Causes harm to Animals and Plants. It is an important
pollutant even in very low concentrations. It is produced in the
manufacturing of phosphate fertilizers.
(vi) Chlorine and hydrogen chloride: It is mixed in the air either from the
leakages from water treatment plants or other industries where it is
produced or used. Hydrogen chloride is also evolved in various industrial
chemical processes. The main effect of chlorine is respiratory irritation which
may be fatal.
i) Ozone (O3)
O2 + O = O3
Ozone in stratosphere occurs naturally and protects us from harmful UV rays,
X rays.
But
Ozone in Troposphere is an Air Pollutant.
ii) PAN(Peroxy Acetyl Nitrate)
Forms by Combination of Nox and HydroCarbons in atmosphere under the
effect of Sunlight.
iii) Acid Rain.
It is caused by Sox and Nox.
pH less than 5.( Preferably 4.5)
Photochemical Smog

Source: Mainly automobile pollution

• Contains: PAN, OzoneNitrogen Oxides, Hydrocarbons, plus hundreds of other substances
• Effects: Eye Irritation, Lack of Visibility, Breathlessness, Respiratory Problems, Fading of Dyes, Cracking of Rubber.
Carbon mono oxide binds with hemoglobin of blood and decreases its oxygen carrying capacity.
 Control of Air Pollution
SETTLING CHAMBERS CYCLONIC PRECIPITATOR
Less efficient Less efficient
Effectively removes > 50 um Effectively removes > 40 to 50 um
WET SCRUBBERS, SPRAY TOWERS ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR
efficient High efficiency
Effectively removes > 10 um Effectively removes > 1 um
FABRIC FILTER( BAG HOUSE FILTER)
Highly efficient
Effectively removes > 0.1 um
For chimney emitting Particulates
h = 74 (Qp )^0.27
For chimney emitting SO2
h = 14 ( Qs )^0.33
Where, h = ht. of chimney in m
Qp = emission/ discharge in tonnes/hour
Qs = emission/ discharge in kg/hour
AQI is an index to measure air pollution in a locality.
Computation of the AQI requires an air pollutant concentration over a specified
averaging period, obtained from an air monitor or model. Taken together,
concentration and time represent the dose of the air pollutant.