VCE Internship: Module 3

Smart Task 03

Basics of Waste to Energy

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Submitted by-

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rs e Poorva Halshetty
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 1. Explain the process of converting Solid Wastes into Fertilizers, into RDF, into Inert Material or any
other useful product.

Composting- Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) composting is a rapidly growing method of solid waste
management. MSW composting is the process by which the organic, biodegradable portion of MSW is
microbiologically degraded under aerobic conditions. During the process of degradation, bacteria are
used to decompose and break down the organic matter into water and carbon dioxide, which produces
large amounts of heat and water vapor in the process.
Given sufficient oxygen and optimum temperatures, the composting process achieves a high degree of
volume reduction and also generates a stable end product called compost that can be used for mulching,
soil amendment, and soil enhancement, acting as a fertilizer.
The three most common methods of MSW composting are:
 Closed in-vessel
 Windrow
 Static aerated pile composting
The method of choice depends on the volume of waste to be composted and the availability of space for

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composting.

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1. Closed in-vessel method- in this the MSW is physically contained within large drums or cylinders

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and all necessary aeration and agitation is supplied to the vessel.

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2. Windrows- in this the MSW is heaped in long rows of material approximately four to seven feet

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high. Air and ventilation are supplied by physically turning over the piles with mechanical
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windrow turners.
3. Static aerated compost piles- in this the MSW piles are not physically agitated, rather air is
supplied and excess heat is removed by a system of sensors and pipes within the pile.
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In all cases, the goal is to ensure a steady, optimum rate of composting by providing adequate oxygen
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and ventilation to remove excess heat and water so that microbiological action is not impaired.
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Refuse Derived Fuel- segregated high fraction of processed MSW. Often in pellets form, it is produced
from combustible elements from household and commercial waste that is used in industrial boilers to
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produce energy.
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Pelletization of MSW involves process of segregating, shredding, crushing, and mixing high and low heat
value organic waste material and solidifying it to produce fuel pellets or briquettes, which are referred to
as RDF.
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Waste to energy processes:

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1. Biomethanization: A biological process in which the organic waste is decomposed by anaerobic

organisms to produce methane as a major product (60%) and carbon dioxide (40%).
2. Gasification: It is a chemical conversion of material containing high carbon atoms at high
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temperature into synthetic gas (syngas). It consists of carbon monoxide, methane and hydrogen
constituting syngas. It can be used to manufacture chemicals or can replace natural gas as a fuel.

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 2. Explain Pyrolysis process. Is it environmental friendly to produce oil from waste plastic?

Pyrolysis is process of thermal decomposition of organic components in the waste stream which starts at
350°C–550°C and goes up to 700°C–800°C in the absence of oxygen. Pyrolysis of municipal wastes begins
with mechanical preparation and separation of glass, metals and inert materials prior to processing the
remaining waste in a pyrolysis reactor. The commonly used pyrolysis reactors are rotary kilns, rotary
hearth furnaces, and fluidized bed furnaces. The process requires an external heat source to maintain
the high temperature required. In pyrolysis of MSW, heat transfer is a critical area as the process is
endothermic and sufficient heat transfer surface has to be provided to meet process heat requirements.

The main products obtained from pyrolysis of municipal wastes are a high calorific value gas (synthesis
gas or syngas), a biofuel (bio oil or pyrolysis oil) and a solid residue (char).
Depending on the final temperature:
1. MSW pyrolysis will yield mainly solid residues at low temperatures (less than 4500C).
2. When the heating rate is quite slow, and mainly gases at high temperatures (greater than 8000C)
with rapid heating rates.

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3. At an intermediate temperature and under relatively high heating rates, the main product is a

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liquid fuel popularly known as bio oil.

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Pyrolysis became the alternative technology for energy recovery that has minimum impact on the

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environment and is capable to generate both heat and electricity. Pyrolysis of waste is environmentally

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friendly and cost-effective waste treatment technology, which is capable to process recyclables, obtain
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valuable materials and produce electricity.

3. How is municipal solid waste management and sanitary/scientific landfill saving environment?
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Explain what difference it makes to environment compared to open dumping.

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MSW and sanitary landfill reduces the amount of waste that is disposed without any treatment into the
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environment, which leads to major health issues and severe pollution of land, water (water bodies and
underground water), and air.
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If waste is disposed without proper treatment, it leads to health issues like:

-Diseases caused due to food and water contamination
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-Air pollution causing respiratory issues

-Water pollution causing diseases
-Soil pollution causing food contamination
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Effects on land:
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-Soil pollution rendering it useless for any purpose

-Open dumping causing smell, wastage of land, unclean environment
-Due to improper disposal it can lead to imbalance on land levels, making it unsuitable for building
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purposes

Effects on water:
-Waste dumped in open or in improper landfill can seep into the groundwater and hence polluting it
-Waste can run off on land during rains and pollute nearby water bodies or water sources

Effects on air:

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 -Stench rising from open dumped waste can cause living near it unbearable
-It causes mosquito and fly breeding along with microbes decomposing the waste leading to foul smell
-Burning of waste dumped in the open can release harmful gases into the air causing pollution

All this can be avoided by proper treatment of solid waste through MSW management and through
sanitary landfill.

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