Contents

(Sustainable Solid Waste Management)

• Concept and goals

• Motivation
• Central principles of Sustainable Waste management
• Benefits
• Challenges in developing countries
• Summary of Indian Scenario
 Sustainable Solid Waste Management
Definition

Sustainable development is ‘development that meets

the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their needs’.

A growing population and development in the region will

inevitably increase pressures on the environment with growing
solid waste generation.
Goals of Sustainable SWM

Sustainable solid waste management aims to address these long

term pressures through the recovery, recycling, and reuse of
resources, and the minimisation of solid waste streams.

Process involved:

This includes the management of resources in an

environmentally sound and economically effective manner.
 Motivation for Sustainable SWM
‘Waste Avalanche Ahead’!!!
The conventional approach of solid
waste management has been to manage
the removal of the solid discards from
the immediate vicinity of the human
settlements.
This resulted in the mechanized systems
of collection and transportation of waste
in the industrialized countries and the
landfills to bury the waste.
In the later part of the twentieth century,
it was realized that the societies will not
be able to master the waste avalanche.

The waste management had to change its focus from “efficient removal” to
waste avoidance, minimization and recycling options with higher priority.
Central principles of Sustainable Waste management

• Waste hierarchy
The waste hierarchy refers to the "3 Rs" reduce, reuse and
recycle, which classify waste management strategies according
to their desirability in terms of waste minimisation. The waste
hierarchy remains the cornerstone of most waste minimisation
strategies.
• Life-cycle of a Product
The key behind the life-cycle of a product is to
optimize the use of the world's limited
resources by avoiding the unnecessary
generation of waste.
Central principles of Sustainable Waste management
(cont.)
• Resource efficiency
Resource efficiency is the reduction of the environmental impact from
the production and consumption of the goods, from final raw material
extraction to last use and disposal.
This process of resource efficiency can address sustainability.

• Polluter pays principle

The Polluter pays principle is a principle where
the polluting party pays for the impact caused
to the environment.
With respect to waste management, this
generally refers to the requirement for a waste
generator to pay for appropriate disposal of
the unrecoverable material.
 The challenges of waste management
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQEOJm2OJ6Q

Importance and Benefits of Recycling - Waste

Management
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2WayK-eUs
 Benefits of Sustainable Solid Waste Management
With rational and consistent waste management practices there is
an opportunity to reap a range of benefits. Those benefits include:
• Economic - Improving economic efficiency through the means
of resource use, treatment and disposal and creating markets for
recycles can lead to efficient practices in the production and
consumption of products and materials resulting in valuable
materials being recovered for reuse and the potential for new
jobs and new business opportunities.

• Social - By reducing adverse impacts on health by proper waste

management practices, the resulting consequences are more
appealing settlements. Better social advantages can lead to new
sources of employment and potentially lifting communities out
of poverty especially in some of the developing poorer countries
and cities.
 Benefits of Sustainable Solid Waste Management

• Environmental - Reducing or eliminating adverse impacts on

the environmental through reducing, reusing and recycling, and
minimizing resource extraction can provide improved air and
water quality and help in the reduction of greenhouse
emissions.

• Inter-generational Equity - Following effective waste

management practices can provide subsequent generations
a more robust economy, a fairer and more inclusive society
and a cleaner environment.
 Challenges in developing countries

•Waste management in cities with developing economies and

economies in transition experience exhausted waste collection
services, inadequately managed and uncontrolled dumpsites and
the problems are worsening.

•Problems with governance also complicate the situation. Waste

management, in these countries and cities, is an ongoing
challenge and many struggle due to weak institutions, chronic
under-resourcing and rapid urbanization.

•All of these challenges along with the lack of understanding of

different factors that contribute to the hierarchy of waste
management, affect the treatment of waste
Sustainable Solid Waste Management in India
Summary of current scenario
• Comparison of SWM in India with the hierarchy of sustainable
waste management does not show a very bright situation. It
indicates a developing country with a huge population and
growing economy and scattered but ongoing efforts
towards SWM. There is also a definite awareness among local
bodies as well as policy makers on SWM.
• The SWM sector in India has progressed in the right direction
during the last few years, specifically after the introduction of
JNNURM, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal
Mission, by the Government of India. However, it suffered due
to lack of managerial and financial resources and public
awareness on the issue.
• Latest development – Swachch Bharat Mission
Sustainable Solid Waste Management in India
Changes expected in disposal of MSW in the near future
• More extensive integration of informal waste sector into the formal
systems,
• Further increase in the construction of composting facilities,
• New RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel), WTE and sanitary landfill facilities
and
• Capping of some landfills for landfill gas (LFG) recovery
Further financial and technical assistance from GOI is expected.
Academic and scientific research institutions are also expected to
increasingly focus on this sector.

Refuse derived Fuels are being used in a wide range of specialized waste to Energy
Facilities, which are using processed refuse derived fuels with lower calorific values
of 8-14MJ/kg in grain sizes of up to 500 mm to produce Electricity and thermal
energy (Heat/Steam) for district heating Systems or industrial uses.
 What to do?

• MSW contains organic waste, plastics, papers, glass, metal and

inert substance. Carbon and nitrogen-based organic waste from
kitchen, market and abattoir is a source of rich organic manure
or energy.
• Plastics, papers, glass, metals are recycled into new products.
• Debris can be recycled and earth and inert waste used as landfill
cover. This helps conserving natural resources and also
generates employment.
• Promotion of waste recycling sector and providing that with an
institutional support can, therefore, be in tune with the goals of
sustainable development.
Before we leave……
Update on E-waste generation
and disposal stats

•The world produces more than 50 million

tonnes of electronic waste per year and 80%
of that winds up in landfills

Source- Found: A way to recover and recycle gold from e-

waste (The Times of India Feb 2, 2015)

14
 MORE Plastic than Fish in Ocean

Source: Times of India, Kanpur Edition, Feb 7, 2016

 Seabirds at Risk
More than 200 pieces of plastic detected in a single bird

Source: Times of India, Kanpur Edition, Feb 7, 2016

Heal the world……
make it a better and
sustainable planet
 2B.
Municipal waste management techniques

Thermal and Alternatives

Thermal Method for
handling MSW:

INCINERATION
(Traditional)

22
 OVERVIEW

Incineration – Thermal Method for handling MSW

• Philosophy
• issues involved
• combustion
• energy recovery
• air pollution
• health impacts
MSW Incineration Fundamentals:

Combustion Issues:
• Air Requirement
• Combustion Temperature
• Auxiliary Fuel

Energy Recovery Issues:

• Boiler Efficiency
• Electricity Generation Efficiency
• Co-generation
• Sample Calculations

Air Pollution Issues

• Particulate Air Pollutants
• Gaseous Air Pollutants
• Air Pollution Control Equipment
• Health Issues
Combustion Issues: Calculation of Air Requirement

• Excess air must be provided for efficient combustion

• Elemental Formula of MSW: C300O230H40N5S,

(Obtained from Elemental Analysis)

•When MSW is incinerated,

Carbon incineration: C + O2  CO2
Sulfur Incineration: S + O2  SO2
Hydrogen Incineration: 2H2 + O2  2H2O
Nitrogen Incineration: N2+ O2  2NO

•
• Stoichiometric Air Requirement:
C300O230H40N5S + 196.5(O2+3.78N2) 
300CO2 + 20H2O + 5NO + SO2 + 196.5(3.78)N2

Generally 100 percent excess air is provided.

25
Combustion Issues:
Ignition Temperature and Auxiliary Fuel Requirement

• Ignition temperature (also known as flash point) is the

temperature at which substances spontaneously ignite. This
temperature is different for different substances.
 To ensure that all components of MSW burns spontaneously in
the incinerator, the temperature must be >1000oC.

• Presence of moisture prevents temperature increase

Sensible Heat increases temperature.
Latent Heat does not increase temperature

• In case moisture content is high, and thus incineration

temperature cannot be maintained, auxiliary fuel must be
added to the incinerator. This increases incineration costs.

26
 Latent Heat
during a constant-temperature process that is specified in some
way.
An example is latent heat of fusion for a phase change, melting, at
a specified temperature and pressure

Sensible Heat
Heat that causes a change in temperature in an object is called
sensible heat.
Sensible heat is heat exchanged by a body or thermodynamic
system that changes the temperature, and some macroscopic
variables of the body, but leaves unchanged certain other
macroscopic variables, such as volume or pressure.
Energy Recovery Issues:

Energy can be recovered as,

1). High pressure steam to be used for electricity
generation
2). As hot water to be used for various purposes
(Co-generation)

Efficiencies: Boiler Efficiency ~ 70 percent

Turbine Efficiency ~ 30 percent
Overall Efficiency ~ 21 percent

28
Modern Incineration Plant:

29
Types of MSW Incinerators:

1. Multiple Hearth Incinerator

2. Fluidized Bed Incinerator

• Rotary Kiln Incinerator

30
Multiple Hearth Incinerator:

31
Fluidized Bed Incinerator:

32
Rotary Kiln Incinerator:

33
Incinerator Components:

34
Air Pollution Issues:

35
Beneficial use of MSW Incineration process:

Waste to Energy from Refuse Derived Fuels

36
 What is Waste-to-Energy?

Waste-to-Energy is a specially designed energy

generation facility that uses household waste as
fuel and helps solve some of society’s big
challenges

Municipal Solid Waste

1 ton

Power: up to 750 kWh

Metal: 50 lbs
Ash: 10% of original volume
 Waste-to-Energy Facility

Reducing the Volume of Waste & Saving Space in the Landfill

while Generating Clean, Renewable Energy

13,000 KWh
generated

90% volume
IN reduction OUT

100 cubic yards 10 cubic yards

of waste of (inert) ash
WTE Facility
 Generation of Bio fuels from MSW

Objective: To convert organic MSW into clean burning

fuels, like gas or oil, which on burning will produce less
pollution.

Two technologies for Organic MSW will be discussed,

1. Gasification
2. Pyrolysis
40
1. Organic MSW Gasification:

Consider MSW incineration at less than stoichiometric air required for complete
combustion, i.e., for formation of CO2 and H2O.

Stoichiometric Combustion:
C300O230H40N5S + 196.5(O2+3.78N2) 
300CO2 + 20H2O + 5NO + SO2 + 196.5(3.78)N2

Incomplete combustion: Gasification Reaction

C300O230H40N5S + 48.5(O2+3.78N2) 
300CO + 20H2 + 5NO + SO2 + (3.78)N2

Results in the formation of CO and H2 gas, which has calorific

value and hence can be used as fuel for various purposes 41
 Gasifier System Process Diagram:

Low-temp. Gasification High-temp. Gasification

Furnace (600 to 800 oC) Furnace (1300 to 1500 oC)

MSW

Product Gas
(CO + H2 )
(Fuel)
Scrubber

Energy
Generation

Incombustibles + Sand Slag

42
Typical Fluidized Bed Gasifier System:

Fluidized Bed Gasifier

• Bed Temperature ~ 580 °C

Cylconic Combustion Chamber

• Temperature ~ 1350-1450 °C
• Production of high quality
glass granulate
• Production of CO and H2

43
Organic MSW Gasification Plants in Commercial Operation:

SAKATA / Japan
2 x 4 t/h MSW

Location: Ube, Yamaguchi Pre. Japan

(Site adjacent to Ube Ammonia Industry)

Commercial Operation Start: Jan. 2001

Throughput:
Packaging plastic waste: 30 tonS/day

Uses for Product Gas:

As ammonia raw material or boiler fuel
44
2.Organic MSW Pyrolysis:

Pyrolysis refers to heating in the absence of oxygen(500oC – 1000oC)MSW .

This results in thermal cracking and condensation reaction resulting in
production of a,

A. Gas stream containing hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, carbon

dioxide and other organic gases.

B. Liquid stream containing acetic acid, acetone, methanol, and other complex
oxygenated hydrocarbons. This stream can be refined to produce fuel oil.

C. Solid stream containing pure carbon and other inorganic substance originally
present in MSW

The process is endothermic and requires external energy input

to proceed. However, the resultant liquid and gas streams
produced have good calorific value.
45
The Pyrolysis Process:
Gas

Condenser

BioOil
Biomass
Gas & Vapor

BioOil
Reactor

Char
HEAT
47
Typical Pyrolysis Process Cycle:

Heat & Engine / generator

Electricity
Biomass
15-20%
Combustible Gas

Heat
BioOil
Dryer 60% BioOil
Reactor

15-20% Char

Heat Furnace
Ash
48
Air Pollution Issues:

1. Particle,
i.e. Fly Ash Removal

2. Gas,
i.e., SO2, HCl and Other VOC Removal

3. Toxic Substances,
i.e., Dioxin, Mercury, etc. Removal

49
Health Impacts of Incineration

• particulates
• carbon monoxide

INHALATION
• asthma
• heart/lung disease
• increased
hospitalizations
• school absences

DEPOSITION

• dioxin ADULTS
• altered hormones
• lead - thyroid
• mercury - testosterione
•immune system changes
• reproductive problems

INCINERATOR
INFANT & FETUS

ASH
FOOD

• cancer
• altered immune system
ADULTS • decreased testosterone
• endometriosis
• infertility
(SWAT.A.06)
 OVERVIEW:
Methods of Handling MSW
1. TRADITIONAL
• Incineration
Types of Incinerators; Incinerator Components
Characterization of MSW
Total, Organic, Non-biodegradable Organic
Result of incineration on these sub-categories of MSW
Calculation of Calorific Values, Weight & Vol. Reduction
Beneficial use of MSW Incineration process
Biofuels from organic MSW; Gasification, Pyrolysis

2. ALTERNATE
1. Aerobic Composting
2. Anaerobic Digestion of Biodegradable Organic MSW
2. ALTERNATE
METHODS

1. Aerobic Composting
2. Anaerobic Digestion of Biodegradable
Organic MSW

52
 Aerobic Composting: What is Composting??

Organic MSW
Proteins
Amino Acids
Lipids + Oxygen + Nutrients + Organisms
Carbohydrates
Cellulose
Lignin/Tannin
Ash
Compost
Cellulose + CO2 + H2O + Nitrate
Lignin/Tannin + Sulfate + Heat
Useful Material
Ash

+ New Microorganisms

+ Dead Microorganisms53
Who Does Composting:

54
Trophic Levels in a Compost Pile:

Tertiary Consumers
• Centipedes, Predatory Mites, Level 3
Flatworms

Secondary Consumers
• Springtails, Some mites, Level 2
Some Beetles, Nematodes, Rotifers

Primary Consumers
• Bacteria, Fungi, Actinomycetes, Snails, Level 1
Slugs, Earthworms, Millipedes
Substrate
Food Waste
Yard Waste
Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge 55
Anaerobic Digestion of Biodegradable Organic MSW:

Low Solids Digestion:

Solids Content ~ 4 percent

High Solids Digestion:

Solids Content ~ 20 percent

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Anaerobic Low Solids MSW Digester Facility:

57
Salient Features of Aerobic composting

• a very popular method for creating garden variety compost.

• This type of composting doesn’t emit an unpleasant odor and,
• with proper conditions, can be completed in a span of two weeks.
• In contrast, anaerobic composting usually takes up to 3 months.
• uses oxygen to biologically decompose waste materials in a
controlled condition until it stabilizes so it can be utilized.
• Many factors will determine how long and how nutrient rich your
compost will be. They include the materials used, the temperature,
the moisture content, and aeration

58
Why Biotechnological approach is needed for
ultimate disposal of MSW
 Need for a rational MSW management based on high
quality scientific input

 Limited Land for new landfills

 MSW treatment in landfills were primarily carried out by

anaerobic digestion and decomposition which is derived
form the microbes, thus scientific mechanism is must be
considered
Environmentally Sustainable Waste Disposal

EPA’s MSW Hierarchy places Waste-to-Energy above landfill

for disposal for post-recycled waste
Waste-to-Energy reduces Greenhouse gases
Every ton of waste processed avoids one ton of CO2 equivalent

Waste-to-Energy reduces the volume of waste by 90%

Extends the life of the landfills
Reduces future long haul transportation
 Life Cycle Analysis of WTE & GHG

“Discarded MSW is a viable energy

source for electricity generation in a
carbon constrained world. One
notable difference between LFGTE
and WTE is that the latter is capable
of producing an order of magnitude
more electricity from the same mass
of waste. In addition, as
demonstrated in this paper, there are
significant differences in emissions on
a mass per unit energy basis from
LFGTE and WTE. On the basis of the
assumptions in this paper, WTE
appears to be a better option than
LFGTE. If the goal is greenhouse gas
reduction, then WTE should be
considered as an option under U.S.
renewable energy policies.”
 International Recognition of Waste-to-Energy as a
Greenhouse Gas Reducer
The World Economic Forum in its 2009
report, “Green Investing: Towards a
Clean Energy Infrastructure,” identifies
waste-to-energy as one of eight
technologies likely to make a meaningful
contribution to a future low-carbon
energy system.

The Eight Emerging Large-Scale Clean Energy

Sectors include
1. Onshore Wind
2. Offshore Wind
3. Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
4. Solar Thermal Electricity Generation
(STEG)
5. Municipal Solid Waste-to-Energy (MSW)
6. Sugar-based Ethanol
7. Cellulosic and Next Generation Biofuels
8. Geothermal Power
  These figures shows
that Biomethanation
has more weightage
against other
technology installed
in India at present
scenario

Types of Waste to Energy Technologies

used in India
Source: Jain et al. (2014) International Journal of Advanced Research (2014)
 WTE Case Studies
Eileen Berenyi of Governmental Advisory Associates conducted 4 case studies (West
Palm Beach, FL; Westchester County, NY; Olmsted County, MN; Marion County,
OR) for the American Chemistry Council, which are available online at
http://plastics.americanchemistry.com/sustainability-recycling/energy-recovery.

Highlights from the study of the Westchester County, NY waste-to-energy facility include:
Energy Efficiencies: 700,000 tons of waste processed produces about 412,000 Mwh of
electricity sold to the grid enough to service about 41,000 homes.
Employment: The plant employs 66 permanent skilled workers, who contribute about
$5,000,000 to the local economy annually. In addition, the facility contributes an additional
$6,000,000 to the region annually through purchases of goods and services.
Recycling Levels: The facility was built in 1984. In the early 1990s, the county’s recycling
rate stood at 7%. By 1994, this rate had doubled to 15% and as of 2009, it stands was 41%.
Metal Recovery: The facility recovers about 17,000 tons per year of ferrous metal at a value
of approximately $3.4 million.
Greenhouse Gas Reductions: Using the US EPA’s WARM model, one can calculate that
processing 700,000 tons of waste through the WTE plant results in a net reduction of
248,000 MTCEs (Metric Tons Carbon Equivalents), which is comparable to taking about
166,500 cars off the road.
 Summary

• Municipal solid waste is a homegrown renewable energy

source that can contribute significantly to a renewable and
climate-conscious future.
• All levels of government, foreign and domestic, have
recognized the benefits waste-to-energy and are shaping
policies to promote.
• Increased cost of compliance for fossil fuel electricity
sources will make WTE more attractive in the marketplace.
• The political attractiveness of developing GHG-mitigation
power sources will make it easier for communities to
develop WTE facilities.