Composition Of Municipal Solid Waste Research Articles

Efficient High Heating Value estimation using Latin Hypercube Sampling and Artificial Neural Network-based approach.

To maximize energy recovery in waste-to-energy (WTE) systems, the High Heating Value (HHV) of municipal solid waste (MSW) must be accurately estimated. To forecast the HHV of MSW, this study proposes a unique method that combines an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model with Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS), with a focus on Solan City, Himachal Pradesh, India. In the present study, the elemental characteristics of waste have been used to deal with uncertainty and to find the suitable parameters responsible for the HHV of the MSW. Initially, Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) has been used to deal with uncertainty in the elemental composition of MSW, which includes carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O) content. This elemental composition has been used as input parameters to the ANN model for predicting the HHV of MSW. The network 5-28-5-1 offered a minimum MAPE value of 2.18%, MSE, RMSE and R2 values are 0.012, 0.107 and 0.767, respectively. Thereafter, a synaptic weight approach was used to find the most significant parameters responsible for HHV in MSW. It was observed that carbon is the most suitable parameter for HHV of MSW. By dealing with the uncertainty in MSW characteristics, the integration of LHS strengthens the robustness of the model. The results offer an accurate and economical approach for HHV estimation, which will be useful for improving the MSW management and WTE conversion procedures.

Analyzing the impact of age on waste properties at an open dumpsite in Khulna

The rapid growth of the population has led to a significant increase in the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW), posing a burden and concern for our environment. Landfill mining as well as waste to energy could be a solution to this issue, but they require waste composition, particle size, and physiochemical and ultimate analysis are prerequisite requirements. Particle size was assessed through sieve analysis, categorizing MSW into ten different types followed by physiochemical and ultimate analyses. This study aimed to examine how the properties of MSW change with age. Findings showed that fine particles increased with age while larger particles decreased. With aging, certain physical components decreased, while others either increased or stayed constant. Organic content showed a significant decrease of 70.548% for fresh MSW and 0.35% for fifteen-year-old waste whereas plastic content remained almost constant after an increase from fresh MSW. Moisture content and volatile content of MSW reduced with age while fixed carbon and ash content increased with age. Ultimate analysis shows a drop of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen while oxygen shows a rise. Calorific value was found a decrease in trend with age indicating that the energy content of MSW reduced with age. A drastic reduction of unit weight was found in this study, dropping from 9.31 KN/m3 to 4.668 KN/m3. This study highlights the overall composition of MSW, the fluctuation in physiochemical analysis with age, and the sieve analysis and particle size distribution. It also displays the unit weight and the age-wise variation of the ultimate analysis. The findings of this study will aid landfill mining and waste to energy by providing comprehensive properties of MSW.

Experimental and performance analysis of organic fraction of municipal solid waste in downdraft gasifier

It is anticipated that the production of municipal solid waste will increase from 2.10 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.80 billion tonnes by 2050. About 170 billion metric tonnes of biomass is produced worldwide each year. On a wet basis, the composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) includes approximately 20% of wood, 70% of food waste, 60% of yard trimmings, and 50% of other organic materials. Gasification of waste biomass is one of the most efficient processes for creating gaseous fuel and subsequently power with reduced environmental impact. The current work presents a novel strategy to reduce MSW by converting waste into briquettes and feeding it in gasifiers to produce syngas. The downdraft gasifier is employed in the syngas generation process. With a calorific value of 22.6 MJ/kg and a higher lignin concentration of approximately 31%, MSW proves to be suitable for thermochemical conversion processes. This article presents the results during gasification of briquette made from organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) with significant heating value of 22.6 MJ/kg. The fuel produced by the gasifier has a heating value ranging from 920 to 1150 kcal/m3, making it clean-burning. Its primary components consist of 19% to 23% carbon monoxide and 17% to 21% hydrogen. This study offers a unique investigation into the gasification behavior of the organic fraction of OFMSW in a downdraft gasifier, with an emphasis on optimizing operational parameters and evaluating the yield and quality of syngas. Although gasification has been widely studied as a thermochemical conversion method for biomass, the specific performance of OFMSW in this process has received limited attention. By focusing on this underexplored area, the study enhances the understanding of OFMSW's potential in gasification and its contribution to sustainable energy production, thereby addressing key issues in both waste management and renewable energy generation.

Characterization of municipal solid waste with the perspective of biofuels and bioproducts recovery in Northeast Mexico

This work focuses on analyzing the physical composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) and the physicochemical characterization of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) in a city in Northeast Mexico to propose an adequate treatment and valorization system. Diverse samples were analyzed over 5 months at the city of Saltillo landfill, where the daily discarded MSW was classified into household (HW), central market waste (CMW), and public areas and parks waste (PPW). For the HW and CMW, the fraction with the highest proportion was the organic residues from food products, with 22.15 and 25.78%, followed by other organic wastes (manure, yard waste, leaves, etc.) at 12.58 and 10.24%, respectively. Furthermore, the organic fraction was segregated from the rest of the MSW and classified into four subtypes, and their physical composition and physicochemical characteristics were determined. The results contribute to laying the foundations for the proper treatment of the OFMSW not just in the studied region but also in cities with similar conditions. Moreover, the OFMSW’s feasibility in treating via bioenergy technologies is revealed, and this research proposes a biorefinery treatment pathway through dark fermentation followed by high solids anaerobic digestion generating bioenergy and diverse bioproducts.

Composition of New York State (United States) Disposed Waste and Recyclables in 2021: An Advanced Analysis of Waste Sort Data

Understanding the composition of disposed municipal solid waste (MSW) and recyclables can lead to better waste management. New York State (United States) has never had a state-wide waste characterization sorting program. In 2021, sampling was conducted at 11 locations, representing 25% of the state population outside of New York City. Twenty-three tonnes from 173 discrete samples were sorted into 41 categories. The resulting data were analyzed by single constituent approaches and more novel multivariate distance techniques. The analyses found that disposed MSW was 22.8% paper, 20.5% food, and 16.8% plastics. Recyclable paper and glass–metal–plastic containers were 18.2% (11.7% paper, 6.5% containers) and yard waste was 6.5%, meaning about 25% of the disposed MSW could have been recovered. Multivariate analysis determined that the disposed MSW was similar to that from other United States jurisdictions such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York City, and Syracuse (NY), and different from California and United States Environmental Protection Agency model data. Recyclables composition was different from disposed MSW composition. Dual-stream recyclables were sorted better than single-stream recyclables. Corrugated cardboard was the most common paper recyclable and plastics were the most common container recyclable. The data are being used to help guide planning for an expected packaging extended producer responsibility law for the State.

Data-driven multi-objective intelligent optimal control of municipal solid waste incineration process

The municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) process has become the primary technology for municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment worldwide due to its advantages of harmlessness, reduction, and resource recovery. However, the automatic combustion control (ACC) system developed in developed countries are often not effectively applicable to other countries, particularly China, due to regional differences in MSW composition. To achieve intelligent development of MSWI plants, it is crucial to develop intelligent optimal control technology tailored to national conditions to reduce comprehensive pollutant emission concentration (CPEC) and improve combustion efficiency (CE). This article proposes a data-driven multi-objective intelligent optimal control strategy. Firstly, based on the analysis of the whole process, the Tikhonov regularization-least regression decision tree (TR-LRDT) algorithm is used to establish a MSWI whole process model, incorporating serial controlled objects and parallel pollutant indicators, to support a multi-objective optimization model. Then, leveraging the ACC system and expert experience, a multi-input multi-output loop controller is established using the single neuron adaptive PID (SNA-PID) algorithm to achieve stable control of key controlled variables. Next, a mutation crossover strategy and termination condition are integrated with the multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm to solve the multi-objective optimization model, and domain expert rules are applied to determine the optimal setpoints for key controlled variables in the Pareto front, aiming to reduce CPEC and improve CE. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed intelligent optimal control strategy is validated using actual data. The experimental results demonstrate that this strategy not only maintains the stability of key controlled variables but also decreases CPEC by 1.82% and increases CE by 2.38%, laying a foundation for further research into intelligent optimization control of the MSWI process. Further, the software system based on the proposed strategy is developed and validated on a hardware-in-loop simulation platform.

Impact assessment of solid waste dumping sites on soil and groundwater quality in Haridwar district, Uttarakhand, India

The present work aimed to evaluate the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) dumping on the quality of soil and groundwater at six specific sites (S1-S6) located in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. An analysis of selected physicochemical and heavy metal characteristics (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, and Cr) was conducted on groundwater and soil samples collected between July 2022 and June 2023 using standard techniques. Furthermore, the composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) was also analysed, revealing a significant proportion of biodegradable waste in comparison to non-biodegradable wastes. The areas affected by urban and industrial activity showed markedly higher concentrations of physicochemical and heavy metal parameters in both soil and groundwater samples (p < 0.05). An study of groundwater revealed concentrations from BDL to 0.170 ± 0.008 mg/L (S6) , 0.034 ± 0.004 mg/L (S4) to 1.565 ± 0.048 mg/L (S6), 1.786 ± 0.089 mg/L (S4) to 10.630 ± 0.279 mg/L (S6), 0.096 ± 0.006 mg/L (S4) to 0.321 ± 0.005 mg/L (S6), and 0.110 ± 0.005 mg/L (S6) for Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cd mg/kg , respectively. Cr was detected at the BDL level in all groundwater samples from all sites. Findings revealed that metals exceeded the BIS range, with Iron over the limit at all sites, Manganese at S1, S2, and S6 sites, and Cadmium at S1, S2, S3, and S6 sites. The examination of the soil samples revealed concentrations ranging from 0.399 ± 0.125 mg/kg (S5) to 2.806 ± 0.083 mg/kg (S6), 1.207 ± 0.044 mg/kg (S5) to 3.813 ± 0.238 mg/kg (S2), 24.972 ± 1.128 mg/kg (S5) to 47.417 ± 1.713 mg/kg (S3), 2.297 ± 0.43 mg/kg (S5) to 14.641 ± 0.229 mg/kg (S2), and BDL (S4, S5, and S6) to 0.194 ± 0.291 mg/kg (S2) for their respective elements. The Cr content was BDL in all soil samples from all sites. Several metals over the BIS range were detected, including Cu at site S6, Zn at sites S1, S2, S3, S4, and S6, Fe at all sites and Mn at site S2. In S1-S6, the total bacterial population in the soil ranged from 397 ± 67 CFU to 459±88 CFU, with values of 442 ± 86 CFU, 404 ± 78 CFU, 459 ± 88 CFU, 397 ± 67 CFU, 405 ± 67 CFU, and 451 ± 77 CFU, respectively. The findings revealed soil and groundwater pollution caused by the elevated levels of heavy metals in the groundwater, rendering the water unfit for drinking. The study underscores the need of adopting effective waste management strategies to reduce the adverse effects of solid waste disposal sites. The results can guide the formulation of development policies and laws aimed at enabling the implementation of suitable solid waste management techniques.

Characterization of municipal solid waste in Kuwait: Sector-specific composition analysis and implications

ABSTRACT Municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization plays a pivotal role in devising effective waste management strategies conducive to fostering a circular economy. This study presents composition analysis across twenty-four subcategories sourced from residential, commercial, and industrial sectors in Kuwait. The study is conducted in accordance with the Standard Test Method for Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste (ASTM D5231). The results indicate that organic waste comprises 45.3%, followed by paper waste (19.9%) and plastics (19.8%). The remaining waste comprises glass waste (3.5%), diapers (2.7%), textiles (2.6%) and other waste. Paper waste (19.9%) consists mainly of mixed paper (12.1%), cardboard (3.7%), newspaper (3.3%), printer printouts (0.6%) and other office paper (0.2%). Plastic waste (19.8%) consists mainly of film (11.2%), PET (3.1%), HDPE (1.1%) and other mixed plastics (4.4%). Residential and mixed areas have the highest proportion of organic waste. Commercial areas produce the highest proportion of wastepaper (22.4%) and textiles (3.7%). Industrial areas produce the highest proportion of plastic waste (29.1%), most of which is film (17.3%). The study also provides an overview of the MSW management system in the country, an overview over the legislative framework, and forecasts of future waste generation rates with comparison to historical baselines. Implications: The precise and up-to-date characterization of municipal solid waste is imperative for scholarly journal submissions, as it establishes a foundational understanding of waste composition, aiding researchers and policymakers in the development of effective waste management strategies, resource recovery initiatives, and sustainable solutions to address the evolving challenges in waste management systems. This study provides detailed composition analysis for twenty-four municipal solid waste (MSW) subcategories collected across different sources: residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed areas. Time series forecasting is applied to predict MSW generation based on historical data obtained through the local municipality over the past decade. Factorial analysis is applied to investigate changes across source areas, and a hypothesis test is used to compare the current MSW composition against previous baselines. The results demonstrated significant variation across most waste categories. The plastic waste proportion has increased by 48.5% compared to 2013 data, despite awareness campaigns. Paper waste has also increased in proportion from 6.8% to 16.2%; this increase is associated with the mixed paper subcategory, which is mostly used for packaging. The composition data provided in this study are necessary for long-term monitoring, strategy assessment, and legislation associated with waste reduction and remediation.

Analysis of the Gravimetric Composition of Urban Solid Waste from the Municipality of Belém/PA

This article aimed to evaluate, using statistical tools, the generation and composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the city of Belém, Pará, from nine urban collection sectors in the municipality and the average nominal income of the population. Approximately 900 kg of urban solid waste was collected from the municipality in the period from 2021 to 2022. Statistical tests were carried out on hypotheses with 5% significance in comparative evaluations and their respective average nominal incomes. The results indicated that the organic fraction corresponded to 55.57% of the waste generated in the municipality, 14.26% was inert waste (potentially contaminating), and 0.67% was miscellaneous waste. It was observed that the waste generated by families with high purchasing power tended to contain higher percentages of recyclables while in families with lower purchasing power, the highest percentages tended to be organic. Knowledge of the generation of MSW is fundamental for the choice and dimensioning of operations and processes involved in the management chain at the municipal level. The decentralization of services offered based on solid waste management would enable greater success in serving the population.

Ecological specificity of the composition of municipal solid waste of the Biysk urban district

The article is devoted to the issues of updating the morphological and fractional composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) of the Biysk urban district. Currently, many regions of the Russian Federation in the process of development of territorial waste management schemes, are guided by average data in terms of morphological and fractional composition, however, the specific composition of MSW in the regions may differ from the average values determined 15‑20 years ago. The study was conducted for three days; the sorting was done manually at the landfill of the Biysk urban district. As a result, this example revealed the need to adjust the territorial scheme for municipal solid waste management in Altai Krai.

The Planning of Reduced, Reuse, and Recycle-Based Temporary Disposal Site

Abstract The community-based waste management methods through reduce, reuse and recycle-based temporary disposal sites (3R-TDS) was one of the possible municipal solid waste management strategies for reducing the volume of waste. The aims of this studied were to planned and design 3R-TDS in densely populated areas by combining various 3Rbased waste management methods for obtaining a reducing volume of municipal solid waste to FDS. This studied was conducted into five main steps, that were collected primary data, calculated the density and composition of municipal solid waste, designed the 3R-TDS to determine the appropriate space based on functional processing. The results had identified the waste generation 4,454.72 kg/day or 0.431 kg/person/day, and it was predicted up to 8,930 kg/day within 10 years. The highest percentage of municipal solid waste was organic food waste 58%, and the lowest composition was leather 0.2%. Design of 3R-TDS could been applied to managed municipal solid waste had been the concept of 3R-TDS leads to arrange 973 m2, which provided area for in ordered to facilitate dropping, separating, sorting, waste processing for plastic, inorganic, organic, residue, leachate, and supporting area.

Development of municipal solid waste management guidelines in biological crisis based on international experiences and considering local techno-economic characteristics

In addition to health consequences, the Covid-19 pandemic has had important effects on the environment and lifestyle. Municipal solid waste management faced serious challenges due to consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this study, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the quantity and composition of municipal solid waste in Tehran were investigated. The international experiences of municipal waste management in the Covid-19 pandemic were reviewed and the results were used to develop a guideline for waste management in epidemic conditions adapted to local characteristics. The results showed that changes in the quantity of municipal solid waste affected by the Covid-19 pandemic had temporal and spatial variation. The most change in quantity by 15.81% was seen at the beginning of the pandemic, and non-recyclable waste had the most ratio change among the components of municipal solid waste (144%). The emergence of scattered point sources of infectious waste generation was the most important consequence of the epidemic in municipal solid waste management. These experiences were the basis for defining a guideline for the management of municipal solid waste in biological crises. A guideline in six activities and more than 90 items based on the local characteristics such as available equipment, general culture, local economy, and quantitative changes was defined.

A STUDY ON EFFICIENT MICROORGANISMS ISOLATED FOR DEGRADATION FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE OF CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

With rapid industrial development and the progress of civilization, the problem of increased waste generation has become more complex in urban areas. This research evaluates the composition and characteristics of municipal solid Waste produced in a representative residential neighbourhood. Ten samples were taken from the disposal site of the Chhatrapati—Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) city area. Gathered from garbage, nine bacterial isolates were made using a nutrient agar medium. Investigations were conducted into the best culture conditions, microbiological traits, biochemical traits within the strains, tolerance to five heavy metals (Cadmium, zinc, Arsenic, lead and mercury), sensitivity to four different antibiotics (penicillin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline, and gentamycin), and extracellular enzyme production of the microbial strains. All six strains that could produce protease were used for the waste degradation efficiency test. Due to these findings, there is now a greater chance of identifying bacteria of scientific significance from municipal waste disposal sites, and these isolates may be a key source of compounds with practical applications in industry. Based on the research, it is possible to extract beneficial bacteria for the environmentally friendly bioconversion of solid Waste from the (Chhatrapati. Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) city area.

Transitioning towards circular economy through municipal solid waste analysis and characterisation using SowaCLINK software

Municipal solid waste constitutes environmental challenges globally, especially in developing countries, due to increasing waste generation, population growth, inadequate infrastructure, lack of data and poor planning. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive waste audit on the municipal solid waste generated in Aba, a metropolis in southeastern Nigeria. Aba is a commercial city considered the messiest because of the massive municipal solid waste generation and poor management. The study investigated the energy potential and waste regeneration. Municipal solid waste data was sought to provide insight into the quantity and composition of municipal solid waste. The methodology was site-based, in line with the standard test method for determining unprocessed municipal solid waste (ASTM-D5231-92) and SowaCLINK software, a computer-based environmental application, was used for characterization. Linear extrapolation was adopted to quantify the rate of municipal solid waste generated. The geometric mean was applied to forecast the area’s population for a 10-year design period. The chemical elements of the characterized municipal solid waste were utilized based on the ASTM-D5291 standard for municipal solid waste thermochemical conversion, and the high and low heating values were analyzed. The outcomes provided energy recovery potential, the electrical power potential, and the power to the grid of electrical power of the municipal solid waste. The results obtained were 0.7813 kg/p/d and 490,268 t/y for a population of 1,719,185 persons. The percentage of the municipal solid waste components with energy potential was 71%, comprising 48% combustible and 23% organic components on average. The high heating value computed was 176.5 MJ/kg, and the low heating value was 14 MJ/kg. The energy recovery potential was 3,709,463 MWh, the electrical power potential was 38,680 MW, and the power to the grid was 26.1 MW daily. The research reveals a promising direction in transitioning from the linear economy of municipal solid waste management toward implementing an integrated sustainable municipal solid waste management based on the circular economy model. The study recommends adopting detailed steps to proffer solutions to the environmental challenges associated with municipal solid waste in most low-middle-income countries to achieve sustainable municipal solid waste management while generating electricity and bio-fertilizers through incineration and anaerobic digestion.

A method for determining the recycling value of unprocessed municipal solid waste in one cubic meter waste composition analysis technique

The transition from conventional landfill-centric waste management to resource-centric methodologies necessitates an enhanced comprehension of municipal solid waste (MSW) composition and its inherent value. Existing methodologies documented in the literature exhibit a lack of standardization, impending the formulation of a systematic engineering approach for MSW characterization and valuation. This study introduces a methodology specifically tailored to discern the composition of waste origination from urban households and evaluate its recyclability within the confines of a circular economy framework, Employing a volume-based measurement approach, aims to estimate the recycling value of waste materials. The study's outcomes contribute significantly to quantifying the potential recycling value that accrues to society. Furthermore, the validation of the proposed protocol elucidates the dynamic nature of recyclable value as it traverses the intricate pathways of the waste supply chain. This insight facilitates the formulation of commercial models grounded in circular economy principles for the effective management of household solid waste. Empirical findings reveal that the total recycling value fluctuates within the range of USD 3.39 and USD 5.76 per cubic meter of waste volume, contingent upon the specific waste composition at the experiment site. Additionally, the proposed methodology uncovers the nuanced variability in MSW composition and recycling value across diverse household collection patterns, identifying mixed plastic, paper, cardboard, mixed MSW, and clothing as primary constituents. The application of this methodology extends beyond mere quantification, providing a foundational framework for simulating the latent recycling value embedded within MSW samples. This, in turn, offers invaluable support to strategy developers, policymakers, and entrepreneurial ventures engaged in the sustainable management of household solid waste. In essence, this study establishes the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of MSW composition and its recyclability, facilitating informed decision-making in the pursuit of a circular economy.•Novel methodology based on one cubic meter (1m3) composition analysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).•A new method to evaluate the recycling value of Municipal Solid Waste.•A basis for business model development for the waste-to-resource conversion model.

A Comparative Benefit-cost Analysis for the Potential Waste Management Options for the Western Province, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka generates 7,000 metric tons of solid waste per day while only 3,242 tons are being collected. Within the Western province 1783 metric tons are collected daily. Management of municipal solid waste is mainly a responsibility of local governmental entities. Only a few waste management options are often practiced while economic aspects of this problem are rarely taken into consideration. The present study was designed therefore with the objective of analysing current and potential waste management options for the western province and identifying the best option that maximises the net benefit to the country. Seven different options for municipal solid waste management were identified for the analysis (option 1–open dumping; 2-sanitary landfilling; 3- recycling paper, polythene, glass and other recyclable waste (15%) and open dumping the rest; 4- composting the biodegradable (62%) and open dumping the rest (38%); 5-composting the biodegradable (62%), recycling paper, polythene, glass and other recyclable waste (15%) and open dumping the remaining; 6–waste to energy handled by the government; 7–waste to energy collaborated with private organizations). Then costs and benefits, including environmental costs related to each option were identified and quantified using literature and information obtained from interviews held with coordinators of waste management projects under both government and private sectors. Economic cost-benefit analyses were conducted for the seven options for a period of 30 years assuming that a constant amount of municipal solid waste (100 MT) per day is treated by each method. All seven models were developed on the basis of current municipal solid waste composition. According to the net present value analysis, five options resulted in negative net present values, while options four and five showed positive net present values. In the next step, the value of compost was re-estimated considering the replacement benefit of imported nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer which has yielded a much higher net present value than earlier. Furthermore, option five was identified as the economically most profitable option. The results of the study will provide guidance toward designing the most economically and environmentally viable waste management options for urban areas of Sri Lanka. 
 Keywords: Municipal solid waste, Composting, Recycling, Cost-benefit analysis

Long-term implications of municipal solid waste (MSW) classification on emissions of PCDD/Fs and other pollutants: Five-year field study in a full-scale MSW incinerator in southern China

Understanding how municipal solid waste (MSW) classification influences the physiochemical properties and incineration emission characteristics of MSW is imperative for sustainable waste management. To investigate how long-term changes in the composition and physical properties of MSW resulting from MSW classification affect the emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and multiple flue gas pollutants, a five-year experiment (2018–2022) was conducted in a full-scale MSW incinerator in Shenzhen City, China. After MSW classification, the food waste in MSW was substantially reduced while the paper, textile, and wood components were notably increased. MSW classification also remarkably decreased the water and chlorine contents of MSW while concomitantly increasing the wet-based calorific value, sulfur content, and nitrogen content. Consequently, the PCDD/Fs emissions declined from 106.7 ng I-TEQ/t MSW in 2018 to 26.0 ng I-TEQ/t MSW in 2022. Moreover, a process-tracing experiment demonstrated noticeable decreases in PCDD/F synthesis in the post-combustion area, with mass-reduction efficiencies of 23.6 %–95.4 %. In a correlation analysis, the PCDD/F emissions were significantly positively correlated with food waste, water content, and chlorine and negatively correlated with the wet-based calorific value and nitrogen content. Furthermore, MSW classification reduced the emissions of conventional flue gas pollutants (SO2, CO, and HCl) and multiple heavy metals (total sum of Sb, As, Pb, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, and Ni). In summary, the long-term study demonstrated that MSW classification can feasibly separate incombustible waste, improve combustion quality, and reduce pollutant emissions from sources. These findings offer practical guidance for promoting MSW classification.

Comprehensive Study of Energy Characteristics and Biohazard Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste from the Landfill of the City of Atyrau

This article presents the results of the study of the morphological composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) from the landfill of Atyrau city, and the waste’s energy characteristics and presence of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. This study was carried out under a government order to determine the feasibility of recycling accumulated and incoming waste into electricity and its hazard to the environment and the workers involved in handling it. At the moment, there is no MSW recycling in Kazakhstan, which has led to the accumulation of more than 125 million tons of waste with an annual increase of 5 million tons. The research included four major cities (Almaty, Shymkent, Atyrau and Astana), which were selected not only on the basis of population, but also because the cities were located in different climatic zones. Samples were collected at the city landfills: 10 samples with an average distance of 100 m from each other were collected to provide a maximum coverage of both recently received waste and long-time stored waste. The research showed that neither climatic conditions nor the population size had a significant impact on MSW density, the values of which ranged from 120.1 kg/m3 to 145.4 kg/m3, as this indicator directly depends on the quality of life. The mass of the combustible fraction ranged from 39.41% to 54.62% and was mainly represented by plastic, textile and paper waste. The average value for the four cities was 50.30%. The higher calorific value fell in the range of 24.22–30.49 MJ/kg, with an average value of 26.71 MJ/kg. Microbiological studies showed little difference in average composition regardless of climatic conditions. Thus, no sharp differences in MSW composition, its energy characteristics and microbiological composition were found. The results of this study may be useful for optimising MSW recycling and disposal processes, as well as for developing measures to reduce their negative impact on the environment and human health.

Cooperative Event-Triggered Fuzzy-Neural Multivariable Control With Multitask Learning for Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Process

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) is an industrial process with multiple mechanism reactions, which has strong coupling and time-varying dynamics. It is extremely difficult to design a feasible multivariable controller for MSWI process due to the complex composition of municipal solid waste and fluctuation of calorific value. To solve these problems, a cooperative event-triggered fuzzy-neural multivariable controller with multi-task learning (CETFNMC-MTL) is proposed to realize the adaptive multivariable control of MSWI process. First, a fuzzy-neural multivariable controller is established to control furnace temperature and oxygen content synchronously. Second, a dynamic self-organizing mechanism based on multi-task learning is designed, which splits and merges neurons by calculating the dynamic time warping distance and cumulative contribution of neurons in the continuous time. Third, a cooperative event-triggered mechanism is introduced to improve controller update efficiency while reducing mechanical wear and computational burden. Then, the stability of parameters learning and structure self-organizing process is analyzed to guarantee the successful application of CETFNMC-MTL. Finally, the effectiveness of the controller is tested with process data from an MSWI plant in Beijing, China. The results show that the proposed CETFNMC-MTL has adaptive learning ability, while reducing energy consumption and improving control accuracy.

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE DUMPSITES CAPACITIES IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a critical concern in rapidly urbanizing areas, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria, where population growth, rapid urbanization, and poverty worsen waste generation challenges. This thesis focuses on Abuja, a fast-growing city facing escalating MSW issues. With a projected population increase to 6.1 million by 2035, there is a pressing need to assess the capacities of existing waste dumpsites. A previous study revealed a current MSW generation rate of 973,557 tonnes in 2023, Abuja faces environmental and health threats if not managed effectively. Indiscriminate waste disposal risks air, soil, and water pollution, impacting public health and the environment. The research aims to comprehensively evaluate the state of MSW management in Abuja, focusing on dumpsite capacities. The objectives include assessing current dumpsite capacities, estimating MSW compositions, projecting future waste generation trends based on population growth, and proposing efficient dumpsite distribution for effective MSW disposal. The study's key findings include variations in waste composition among dumpsites with organic waste composition above 50%, insufficient capacities to accommodate future waste generation due to the findings that the current dumpsites capacity is 3,182,313.2m3 while the prediction for waste generation from 2024 to 2035 is 49,385,574.2m3, and a significant projected increase in waste generation by 2035. The linear regression model highlights the importance of adaptive waste management practices, and six potential dumpsite locations are suggested.