CHE332 – Introduction To Environmental

Engineering

CHAPTER 6 – Solid Waste: Definition,

Characteristics and Perspectives
By Muhammad Firdaus Bin Husin
 CONTENT
• 6.1 Types, sources and properties
• 6.2 Solid waste management
• 6.2.1  Generation, handling, storage, processing,
collection, transfer and Transport
• 6.3  Scheduled waste
• 6.3.1 Scheduled waste-related legislation
• 6.4 Processing technique, recovery system,
products recovery
• 6.5 Waste-related legislation
 Learning Outcome
The student should be able to :

Define solid waste.

List types of solid waste.
Identify sources and characteristics of solid waste.
Discuss solid waste management in terms of generation,
handling, storage, processing, collection, transfer and
transport.
Recommend a proper solid waste management.
Explain scheduled waste related legislation.
Explain the fundamental concepts for respective
processing technique recovery system, products recovery.
Explain waste-related legislation.
 Introduction

 Solid waste is one of the three major environmental

problems in Malaysia.

 Over 23,000 tonnes of waste is produced each day in

Malaysia. However, this amount is expected to rise to
30,000 tonnes by the year 2020.

 The amount of waste generated continues to increase

due to the increasing population and development, and
only less than 5% of the waste is being recycled.
 Despite the massive amount and
complexity of waste produced,
the standards of waste
management are still poor.

 These include outdated and

poor documentation of waste
generation rates and its
composition, inefficient storage
and collection systems, disposal
of municipal wastes with toxic
and hazardous waste,
indiscriminate disposal or
dumping of wastes and
inefficient utilization of disposal
site space.
 Did you know
that by
managing your
solid wastes
properly, you
can make a
difference in
climate change?
 GLOBAL
WARMING!!
 Climate change is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases
(GHG). The manufacturing, distribution and use of products,
including waste generation all result in emission of GHG that
affect the Earth’s climate.

The Earth’s atmosphere contains many types of gases which

includes GHG. GHG absorbs an retains heat from the Sun.

 They regulate the Earth’s climate by holding warmth in an

atmospheric blanket around the planet’s surface.

 Without GHG, the average temperature on Earth would be -2

°F, instead of the current 57°F. However, certain human
activities have released additional GHG, and this upsets the
natural atmospheric balance of GHG.

 Therefore, there is a direct increase in global temperature.

 What is SOLID WASTE???

Solid waste are

wastes that are not
liquid or gaseous.

The term solid waste

Solid wastes are all
means: Material such
the discarded solid
as household
materials from
garbage, food wastes,
municipal, industrial
yard wastes and
and agricultural
demolition or
activities
construction debris
ClassificationE-
of Solid Waste
W
as
te
Industrial
s
Wastes
Biomedical Wastes

Agricultural Wastes

Municipal Solid Wastes

6.1 Types, Sources and
Properties
 Types of Solid Wastes (SW)
Paper Glass
Types of Solid Wastes (SW)
Tin Plastic
Types of Solid Wastes (SW)
Sludge Mining Sludge
Types of Solid Wastes (SW)
Food wastes Spoiled Food wastes
 Types of Solid Wastes (SW)
Agricultural Wastes Hazardous Wastes
 Sources of Solid Waste
• Residential
• Commercial
• Institutional
• Construction and demolition
• Municipal services
• Industrial
• Agricultural
• Treatment plant sites
 Properties of Solid Wastes
• Important physical properties :
 Moisture content
 Particle size and size distribution
 Specific Weight
 Field Capacity
Moisture Content
Typical Moisture Contents of Wastes
 Particle Size and Distribution
• The size and distribution of the components of
wastes are important for the recovery of
materials, especially when mechanical means
are used, such as trommel screens and
magnetic separators.
• For example, ferrous items which are of a
large size may be too heavy to be separated by
a magnetic belt or drum system.
 Specific Weight (Density)
• Specific weight is defined as the weight of a
material per unit volume (e.g. kg/m3 , lb/ft3 )
• It varies with geographic location, season of
the year, and length of time in storage.
Typical Specific Weight Values
 Field Capacity
• The total amount of moisture that can be
retained in a waste sample subject to the
downward pull of gravity.
 Field Capacity
• Field capacity is critically
important in determining the
formation of leachate in landfills.

• It varies with the degree of

applied pressure and the state of
decomposition of wastes, but
typical values for uncompacted
commingled wastes from
residential and commercial
sources are in the range of 50 -
60%
 Properties of Solid Wastes
• Important of chemical properties :
 Proximate analysis
 Fusing point of ash
 Ultimate analysis
 Energy content (Heating Value)
 Proximate Analysis
• Proximate analysis for the combustible
components of MSW includes the following
tests:
Moisture (drying at 105C for 1 h)

Volatile combustible matter (ignition at 950C in

the absence of oxygen)

Fixed carbon (combustible residue left after Step

2)

Ash (weight of residue after combustion in an

open crucible)
 Fusing Point of Ash
• Fusing point of ash is the temperature at
which the ash resulting from the burning of
waste will form a solid (clinker) by fusion and
agglomeration.

• Typical fusing temperatures: 1100 - 1200 oC

 Ultimate Analysis
• Involves the determination of the percent C (carbon),
H (hydrogen), O (oxygen), N (nitrogen), S (sulfur) and
ash.
• The determination of halogens are often included in
an ultimate analysis.
• The results are used to characterize 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.
Typical data in elemental analysis
(% by weight )
Energy Content of Solid Waste

Laboratory Bomb Calorimeter – Energy content

Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties
of Solid Wastes
• Important of biological properties:
 Biodegradability of Organic Waste Compound
 Production of odors
 Breeding of flies
Biological Properties
 Biodegradability of Organic Waste
Compound
• The most important biological characteristic of
the organic fraction of MSW is that almost all
the organic components can be converted
biologically to gases and relatively inert organic
and inorganic solids.
• The production of odours and the generation of
flies are also related to the putrescible nature
of the organic materials. These will be
discussed when talking about landfill processes.
 Biodegradability of Organic Waste
Compound
• Volatile solids (VS), determined by ignition at 550C,
is often used as a measure of the biodegradability
of the organic fraction of MSW.
• Some of the organic constituents of MSW are highly
volatile but low in biodegradability (e.g. Newsprint)
due to lignin content.
• The rate at which the various components can be
degraded varies markedly. For practical purposes,
the principal organic waste components in MSW are
often classified as rapidly and slowly decomposable.
 Production of odors
• Odors are developed when solid wastes are
stored for long periods of time on-site between
collections, in transfer stations, and in landfills.
• It is more significant in warm climates.
• The formation of odors results from the
anaerobic decomposition of the readily
decomposable organic components found in
MSW.
Breeding of flies
Eggs develop - 8-12 hours
First stage of larval period – 20
hours
Second stage of larval period – 24
hours
Third stage of larval period – 3 days
Pupal stage - 4-5 days
TOTAL 9-11 DAYS
 6.2 Solid waste management
6.2.1 Generation, handling, storage, processing, collection,
transfer and Transport
 Solid waste generation
• Solid wastes- include all solid or
semisolid material that is no
longer considered of sufficient
value to retain in a given
setting.
• Waste generation – activities in
which materials are identified
as no longer being of value and
are either thrown away or
gathered together for disposal.
 Solid waste generation
Source of solid waste
• Municipal
• Industrial
• Demolition
• Other municipal
 Solid waste generation
Factors that affect generations rates
• Geographic location
• Season of the year
• Collection frequency
• Use of kitchen waste grinders
• Characteristics of populace
• Level of recovering and
recycling
• Public attitudes
• Legislation
 Solid waste handling
On-Site Handling
• The activities associated with
handling of solid wastes until they
are placed in the containers used
for their storage before collection.
• Handling of waste – Domestic
Solid Wastes , Commercial and
Industrial Solid Wastes
 Solid waste handling
Domestic Solid Wastes
• Domestic wastes accumulated
at several locations in and
around low and medium-rise
residential dwellings – in
larger storage containers –
before it will collect by the
waste-collection agency.
 Solid waste handling
Commercial and Industrial Solid Wastes
• Solid wastes that accumulate
in the offices or work locations
usually are collected in
relatively large containers.
• These containers are removed
to large storage containers ,
compactors used in
conjunction with the storage
containers , incinerators.
 Solid waste storage
• Factors that must be
considered in the on-site
storage of solid wastes
include :
 Type of container to be
used
 The container location
 Public health
 The collection methods
to be used
 Solid Waste Processing
• On-site processing methods
are used to recover usable
materials from solid wastes , to
reduce the volume, or to alter
the physical form.
• The most common on-site
processing operations include :
 Manual sorting
 Compaction
 Incineration
Solid Waste Collection
 Types of collection systems
Hauled-container Systems (HCS) Stationary-Container Systems (SCS)
 Solid waste transfer & transport
• The functional element of
transfer and transport
refers to the means,
facilities, and accessories
used to effect the transfer
of wastes from relatively
small collection vehicles –
larger vehicles –
processing centers or
disposal sites.
Solid waste transfer & transport
• Factors that must be considered in the
design of transfer station :
1) Type of transfer operation to be used
2) Capacity requirements
3) Equipment and accessory requirements
4) Environment requirements
Solid waste transfer & transport

Transfer stations may be classified into

three types :

1. Direct discharge
2. Storage discharge
3. Combined direct and storage discharge
 Location of Transfer Station
• Transfer stations should be located :
1) As near as possible to the weighted center of the
individual solid-waste production areas to be served.
2) Within easy access of major arterial highway routes as
well as near secondary or supplemental means of
transportation.
3) Where there will be a minimum of public and
environmental objection to the transfer operations
4) Where construction and operation will be most
economical.
Transfer method
• Motor vehicles
transport
• Railroads
transport
• Water transport
• Pneumatic
Transport
Motor vehicles transport
Railroads transport
Water transport
Pneumatic Transport
 6.3 Scheduled Waste

TOXIC AND
SCHEDULED
HAZARDOU =
WASTE
S WASTE
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS
WASTE ARE NOT PROPERLY MANAGED??

Why we need SW???

Pollution to the environment

Human Health Effects

Increase in Clean-up and Disposal

Costs
MISMANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTES

MINIMATA INCIDENT, JAPAM

Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city in
Kumamoto prefecture, Japan in 1956

It was caused by the release of METHYLMERCURY in the

industrial wastewater from the Chisso Corporation chemical
factory which continued from 1932 to 1968

This highly toxic chemical bioaccumulated in shellfish and fish in

Minamata bay and the Shiranui Sea which eaten by the local
populace, resulted in mercury poisoning.
ITAI-ITAI DISEASE
 Itai-itai disease- mass cadmium poisoning of Toyama
Prefecture, Japan, Starting around 1912. The term ‘itai –itai
disease’ was coined by locals for the severe pains victims felt
in the spine and joints.

 Cadmium poisoning can also cause softening of the bones and

kidney failure.

 The cadmium was released into rivers by mining companies in

the mountains, which were successfully sued for the damage.
Itai-itai disease is known as one of the Four Big Pollution
Disease of Japan.
 Definition of Waste

‘’Waste’’ includes any matter prescribed to be scheduled waste,

or any matter whether in a solid, semi-solid or liquid form, or in
the form of gas or vapour which is emitted, discharged or
deposited in the environment in such volume, composition or
manner as to cause pollution (Environmental Quality Act, 1974)

‘’Scheduled wastes (SW)’’ means any waste prescribed by the

Minister in the regulations as scheduled wastes ((Environmental
Quality Act, 1974)
Scheduled Waste Characteristics
A waste is considered hazardous if it has one or more of the following
characteristics :

Corrosive

Ignitable

Toxic
Reactive
 Identification and Classification

The identification of SW can be made through :

 Source of waste generated

Types of process/ activities
Physical and chemical compositions of the
waste
 MSDS
 List of Scheduled Waste

Scheduled wastes are

listed in the First Schedule,
77 Types of
Environmental Quality
Scheduled
(Scheduled Wastes) 2005,
Wastes
Environmental Quality Act,
1974
5 Groups of Scheduled Wastes
SW 1 • Metal and metal-bearing wastes

• Wastes containing principally inorganic

SW 2 constituents which may contain metals
and organic materials
• Wastes containing principally organic
SW 3 constituents which may contain metals
and inorganic materials.
• Wastes which may contain either
SW 4
inorganic or organic constituents.

SW 5 • Other wastes
Scheduled wastes described in the First Schedule are based on the
following :

 Names of materials, chemicals or

wastes
 Metals, elements, compounds and
constituents present in the wastes.
 Types of processes
 Usage and application
 Contamination
 Activity
 Legislation and Policy

Environmental Quality Act, 1974

(EQA)

Environmental Quality (Scheduled

Wastes) Regulations 2005
 Environmental Quality
(Scheduled Wastes)
Regulations 2005

 Came into force on 15 August 2005

 Replacing previous Environmental Quality

(Scheduled Wastes) 1989 Regulations
Objectives of Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes)
Regulations 2005

To ensure proper management

of scheduled waste

To prevent pollution of
scheduled wastes into the
environment

To monitor the movement of scheduled

wastes and to ensure that scheduled
wastes are handled at licensed facility.
 Contents of Environmental Quality
(Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005
1-Citation and commencement
2-Interpretation
3-Notification of the generation of scheduled wastes
4-Disposal of scheduled wastes
5-Treatment of scheduled wastes
5-Recovery of material or product from scheduled wastes
6-Application for special management of scheduled wastes
7-Responsibility of waste generator
8-Storage of scheduled wastes
9-Labelling of scheduled wastes
10-Waste generator shall keep an inventory of scheduled wastes.
11-Information to be provided by waste generator, contractor and occupier of
prescribed premises
12-Scheduled wastes transported outside waste generator's premises to be
accompanied by information
13-Spill or accidental discharge
14-Conduct of training
15-Compounding of offences
 Updating of scheduled wastes
inventory through DOE’s on-line
system e-SWIS
Course Fees : MYR 7K++
 RESOURCERECOVERY

Introduce technique and method

used to recover material, conversion
product and energy from solid
wastes
Processing Technique

Used to:
→Improve the efficiency of solid waste
management system.
→Recover usable materials.
→Prepare wastes for recovery of conversion
products and energy.
4 Processing Technique

Mechanical size and shape alteration

Mechanical component separation

Magnetic & Electrochemical

separation

Drying & dewatering

 Processing Technique
PROCESSING FUNCTION APPLICATIONS
TECHNIQUE
Mechanical size & Alteration of the size & Hammermills, shredder, grinders, jaw
shape alteration shape of solid waste crushers, etc used to reduce the size of
component solid waste
Mechanical Separation of recoverable Trommels & vibrating screens, disk
component material screens, zigzag, vibrating air, rotary air,
separation optical sorting, etc

Magnetic & Separation of ferrous & Magnetic separation for separation for
Electrochemical nonferrous materials from ferrous material; magnetic fluid
separation processed solid wastes separation for nonferrous material, eddy
current separation for aluminium, etc
Drying & Removal of moisture from Convection, conduction & radiation
dewatering solid wastes dryers have been used for solid waste &
sludge. Centrifugation & filtration used to
dewater treatment plant sludge
hammermill shredder

Mechanical size and shape alteration

Mechanical component separation
Magnetic & Electrochemical separation
 Material Recovery System

Material Specification

• Base on economic values

• Paper, glass, plastic, cardboard, ferrous and
nonferrous metal

Processing and recovery system

• Flow sheet of recovered material must be design

Flow sheet
Material Recovery System

• System design and layout

– -important aspect in the
implementation & successful
operation
– -Factors that must be considered:
→Process Performance Efficiency
→Reliability and flexibility
→Cost effective
→Environmental friendly
 Product Recovery

Biological conversion product – applicable to

the organic fraction of wastes to form compost,
generate biogas (methane), various proteins, &
alcohols & etc

Thermal conversion product – heat gases, oils,

organic compounds
Biological conversion product
Aerobic digestion
Fermentation
 Thermal conversion product

Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) is
a fuel produced from various types of
wastes such as Municipal Solid wastes
(MSW), industrial wastes or
commercial wastes
Process
Thermal conversion
Conversion product
product
Pre-processing

Steam reforming Medium energy gas Separation of the organic

fraction, particle size
reduction, preparation of
fuel cubes or other RDF
Pyrolysis Medium energy gas, Separation of the organic
liquid & solid fuel fraction, particle size
reduction, preparation of
fuel cubes or other RDF
Combustion (Incineration)
 Gasification
Gasification is a
technological process that
can convert any
carbonaceous (carbon-
based) raw material such
as coal into fuel gas, also
known as synthesis gas. 
Use high T (>700 °C),
without combustion.

Advantages: produce
lower quantity of air
pollutants, non hazardous
by product

Applications: Chemicals &

fertilizers, Power generation
 Wet
Oxidation

Oxidation takes place in

reactors that can operate
at a T between 220 and
320°C and at a pressure
between 40 and 110 bar.
The working pressure is
kept at a level slightly
above the water vapor
pressure; under these
conditions, the reaction
takes place in the liquid
phase
 Steam
Reforming

Steam reforming is a
method for producing
hydrogen, carbon monoxide,
or other useful products
from hydrocarbon fuels. This
is achieved in a processing
device called a reformer
which reacts steam at high
temperature with the fossil
fuel.
Thermal decomposition Pyrolysis
of organic material at
elevated T in the
absence of oxygen

Product :
Char, Syngas, Bio Oil

Advantages: cheap,
economical,
environment friendly,
energy efficient
Diverting waste that would be sent to
landfill reduces the amount of
greenhouse gases and carbon
emissions released into the
atmosphere

Important of
Less waste in landfill lowers risks of energy
soil contamination, which could
further endanger wildlife and harm recovery
water sources

The energy derived is a partly

renewable energy source, which
contributes to renewable energy
targets
WASTE HIERARCHY PYRAMID
THAT’S ALL FOLKS

THANK YOU