1. Solid Waste characteristics
Prepared by:
Pancholi Bansari ( )
Parikh Vishal ( )
Patel Mukti ( )
Rumani S Panwar ( )
Sheta Milan ( )
Guided by: Asst.Prof Ruchi Parmar

2. Municipal solid waste

3. Characteristics of municipal solid waste
Physical characteristics – It involves, specific weight, moisture content, particle size & size distribution, Field Capacity, Permeability of Compacted waste etc.
II. Chemical characteristics – It involves, (i) proximate Analysis (ii) Fusing point of Ash (iii) Ultimate Analysis of Solid waste components & (iv) Energy content of solid waste. The proximate analysis include tests such as, moisture content, volatile combustible matter, fixed carbon & ash determination.
III. Biological characteristics – It include determination of Biodegradability of Organic Waste Components, Production of Odors, & Breeding of flies.

4. Component
% by mass
% Moisture
Density (kg/m3)
Range
Typical
Food waste
6-26 14
50-80 70
290
Paper
15-45 34
4-10 6
30-130 86
Cardboard
3-15 7
4-8 5
30-80 50
Plastics
2-8
1-4 2 65
Textiles
0-4
6-15 10
30-100
Rubber
0-1
0.5
90-200
130
Leather
0-2
8-12
90-260
160
Garden trimming
0-20 12 60
60-225
105
Wood
15-40 20
240
Misc. org.matter
0-5
10-60 25
90-360
Glass
4-16 8
195
Tin cans
2-4 3
45-160 90
Non ferrous metals 1
60-240
Ferrous metals
2-6
320
Dirt and bricks
0-10 4
6-12
480

5. Chemical Characteristics
1.Proximate analysis:
Moisture loss at 105°C for 1 h.
Volatile matter additional los on ignition at 950°C
Ash residue after burning
Fixed carbon remainder

6. Proximate Analysis of MSW
Component
Range %
Typical %
Moisture
15-40 20
Volatile matter
40-60 53
Fixed carbon
5-12 7
Non combustibles
15-30
Heating value of organic fraction
14000
Total heating value of MSW
10500

7. 2. Fusing point of ash:
It is defined as 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 2000 to 2200oF (1100 to 1200oC).

8. 3. Ultimate analysis of % of C, H, O, N, S & ash
Because of the concern over the emission of chlorinated compounds during combustion, the determination of halogens is often included in an ultimate analysis.
The results of the ultimate analysis are used to characterise the chemical composition of the organic matter in MSW.
They are also used to define the proper mix of waste materials to achieve suitable C/N ratios for biological conversion processes.

9. 3. Ultimate analysis of MSW
Component
Carbon(%)
Hydrogen(%)
Oxygen(%)
Nitrogen(%)
Sulfur(%)
Ash(%)
Food waste 48
6.4
37.6
2.6
0.4
5.0
Paper
43.5 6 44
0.3
0.2
6.0
Cardboard
5.9
44.6
Plastic 60
7.2
22.8 -
10.0
Textile 55
6.6
31.2
4.6
0.15
2.5
Rubber 78 10
2.0
Leather 8
11.6

10. 4. Heating value (energy value)
Can be determined using 3 methods:
by using a full scale boiler as a calorimeter
by using a laboratory bomb calorimeter
by calculation, if the elemental composition is known

11. Typical values of Energy content of MSW
Component
Range of inert residue
Typical value of inert residue
Range of energy (kJ/kg)
Typical value of energy(kJ/kg)
Food waste
2-8 5
4650
Paper
4-8 6
16750
Cardboard
3-6
16300
Plastic
6-20 10
32600
Garden trimming
2-6
4.5
6500
Wood
0.6-2
1.5
18600
Tin cans
96-99 98
700

12. Characteristics of MSW
It is important to find out the characteristics of solid waste for the following reasons:
Handling,
Selecting suitable equipments,
Collection,
Transport,
Storage and
Treatment of the solid waste.

13. Agricultural and Animal waste
Usually of plant origin
Generated after harvesting process in huge quantity
Following are the major industries producing agricultural waste
in India
Forest industry
Palm oil industry
Rice industry
Sugar industry

14. Animal waste
Normally include animal fascias, manure and waste from slaughter houses.
Creates problems such as surface water pollution, ground water pollution, land pollution in surrounding environment.

15. Industrial solid waste
Typically produced from various industrial processes
Always treated separately from MSW
For some small scale industries located in the municipal territories, are included in MSW e.g. bakery industry, candle making, leather goods, dairy products, rubber industry etc.

16. Hazardous waste
Hazardous to human health depending up on their quantity, concentration and infectious characteristics.
Also affects plants and animals.
Normally include,
Radioactive substance
Fumming, odorous, corrosive &
toxic chemicals
Biological waste
Combustible, flammable &
explosive waste