Municipal Solid Waste

Characteristics
Physical characteristic of MSW
• Moisture content
• Density
• Particle size and distribution
• Field capacity
• Permeability
 Moisture content

• Moisture content is a critical determinant in the economic feasibility of

waste treatment by incineration since energy must be supplied for
evaporation of this moisture.
• Moisture content also plays an important role in other processing
methods such as composting and anaerobic digestion.
• Most micro-organisms including bacteria require a minimum of
approximately 12% moisture for growth.
Density
• It is essential for the design of all elements of the solid waste
management system from storage to transportation to final disposal.
• In high income countries, the collected waste is typically of low
density, compaction vehicles on collection routes, where a 75%
reduction of volume is achieved.
• In low-income countries initial compaction are not favourable due to
a high initial density of waste
Density
Particle size and distribution:
• This knowledge is useful in the utilization of mechanical separators
and shredders for waste stream processing.
• Particle size will also influence waste packing densities, and particle
size reduction (by shredding) could increase biogas production.
• However, the flip side is, the smaller particles allow higher packing
density which decrease water movement, bacterial movement and
the bacterial access to substrate.
Field capacity
Permeability
• It is an important physical property and it governs movement of liquid
and gases in landfill.
• It depends on pore size, surface area and pore size distribution.
• The reported range of permeability of refuse is 10^(-1 )to 10^(-5 )cm/sec
Chemical characteristic of MSW
• Proximate analysis
• Fusing point of ash
• Ultimate Analysis of Solid Waste Components
• Heat content
• Essential Nutrients and Other Elements
 Proximate analysis
• Proximate analysis is also used to
determine the combustion properties of
the waste in terms of moisture content,
volatile matter, ash content, and fixed
carbon.
• Helps determine the calorific value (energy
content) of the waste.
• Important for designing incinerators,
gasifiers, and pyrolysis systems.
• A high volatile matter and fixed carbon
content means the waste has good fuel
potential.
(a) Moisture:
• The moisture content of the sample is determined by drying 1 gram
of sample at 1050 C for one hour. Weight loss is expressed in % of
initial weight of sample as
(b) Volatile matter:
• Volatile matter is the weight loss obtained on heating 1 gm sample of
substance at 950 deg cel for 7 minutes in the absence of air.
• Represents the fraction that is released as gases when the waste is
heated in the absence of oxygen.
• Includes hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and other combustible gases.
Weight loss due to VM = Total weight loss – moisture
Volatile Matter (%) = (weight loss due to VM/ weight of sample) ×100.
(c) Ash Content in Solid Waste:
• Ash is the weight of the residue obtained after complete combustion
of one gram of the substance at 700-750 deg cel.
• Measures the inorganic residue remaining after combustion.
• High ash content indicates more non-combustible material, reducing
the waste’s energy value.

Ash (%) = (weight of residue/weight of sample) × 100

(d) Fixed carbon:
• Fixed carbon is the material, other than ash, that does not vaporize
when heated in the absence of air. It is usually determined by
subtracting the sum of the first three values (i.e) moisture, ash, and
volatile matter in weight percent from 100 percent.
• Represents the solid combustible residue left after volatile matter is
driven off.
Fixed Carbon (%) = 100 - (Moisture + Volatile Matter + Ash)
Fusing point of ash:
• The fusing point ash is defined as that temperature at which the ash
resulting from the burning of waste will form a solid (clinker) by fusion
and agglomeration. Typical fusing temperature for the formation of
clinker from solid waste range from 1100 to 1200 deg cel.
• The higher the fusion point of ash the better is the quality of the
biomass.
• The composition of ash affects the fusion temperature.
• Fusion point of ash is increased by the increase in its alumina and silica
content.
Fusing point of ash:
• However, the presence of Na2O, K2O, lime, magnesia, ferric oxide,
ferrous oxide, FeS2, FeCO3, CaCO3 decrease the fusion point of ash.
• If ash of the biomass has low fusion point, then it fuses when burnt
on grates.
• On fusion of this ash, clinker is formed. Biomass having high calorific
value and high fixed carbon content are more conducive to clinker
formation.
Ultimate Analysis of Solid Waste Components
• Ultimate analysis determines the elemental composition of solid
waste, focusing on the percentage of carbon (C), hydrogen (H),
oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and ash.
• Due to the concern over the emission of chlorinated compounds
during combustion, the determination of halogens is often included in
an ultimate analysis.
Carbon (C)
• A major component of organic materials in waste.
• Contributes to energy release during combustion.
• Higher carbon content means better fuel value.
Hydrogen (H)
• Found in organic compounds and moisture.
• Reacts with oxygen to form water and releases heat.
• Important for determining the fuel’s energy potential.
Oxygen (O)
• Typically present in organic matter.
• Reduces the calorific value since it does not contribute to combustion.
• High oxygen content suggests a lower energy yield.
Nitrogen (N)
• Comes from proteins and other organic materials in waste.
• Can lead to the formation of NOₓ gases, which contribute to air pollution.
• Important for assessing environmental impact.
Sulfur (S)
• Found in some organic matter and certain plastics.
• Produces SO₂ (sulfur dioxide) during combustion, which can cause acid rain.
• Monitoring sulfur content helps in pollution control.
Chlorine (Cl) (Optional in Some Analysis)
• Present in certain plastics (e.g., PVC).
• Leads to the formation of dioxins and furans, which are toxic pollutants.
• Important for emission control in waste-to-energy plants.
Ash & Other Elements (Trace Metals, etc.)
• Inorganic residue remaining after complete combustion.
• High ash content reduces the energy value of waste.
• Metals (e.g., lead, mercury, cadmium) can pose environmental risks.
Heat content:
• Calorific value is the amount of heat generated from combustion of a
unit weight of a substance, expressed as kcal/kg.
• The calorific value is determined experimentally using Bomb
calorimeter in which the heat generated at a constant temperature of
250 C from combustion of a dry sample is measured.
• Since the test temperature is below the boiling point of water, the
combustion water remains in the liquid state.
Factors Affecting the Heating Value of MSW
• Moisture Content
• High moisture reduces heating value because energy is used to evaporate water.
• Wet waste (food waste, yard waste) has lower heating value than dry materials like
plastics or paper.
• Composition
• Plastics, rubber, and textiles have high heating values.
• Food waste and glass/metal lower the overall energy content of MSW.
• Ash Content
• Higher ash content (non-combustible material) reduces heating value.
• Materials like dirt, sand, and metal contribute to ash.
• Chemical Composition (C, H, O, N, S)
• Higher carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) increase heating value.
• Oxygen (O) and moisture reduce effective energy yield.
Why is the Heating Value Important?
• Determines the feasibility of waste-to-energy plants.
• Helps in designing incinerators, gasifiers, and pyrolysis systems.
• Assists in selecting waste treatment methods (landfilling vs. energy
recovery).
• Helps in calculating emission levels and environmental impact.