Classification and characterization

of Solid and Hazardous wastes

Chapter - 2
I. Physical, chemical and biological properties of MSW
1. Physical properties

• It includes:
a. Identification of the individual components that make up municipal
solid wastes.
b. Analysis of particle size
c. Moisture content
d. Density of solid wastes
Sampling techniques

• The following technique is recommended:

1. Unload a truckload of wastes in a controlled area away from other
operations
2. Quarter the waste load
3. Select one of the quarters and quarter that quarter
Sampling techniques

4. Select one of the quartered quarters and separate to pre-selected

individual components
5. Place the separated component in a container of known volume and
tare mass and measure the volume and mass
6. Determine the percentage distribution of each component by mass
and the as- discarded density. Typically, 100 – 200 kg of waste
should be sorted to get representative sample
a. Identification of the individual components
b. Analysis of particle size

• The size of component materials in solid wastes is of

importance in the recovery of materials

• Especially with mechanical means such as trammel screens

and magnetic separators
c. Moisture content
• Usually expressed as the mass of moisture per unit mass of wet
• In the wet – mass method of measurement, the moisture in a
sample is expressed as a percentage of the wet mass of the material;
in the dry-mass method, it is expressed as a percentage of the dry
mass of the material.

Moisture content (%) = (a-b)*100

a
Where a = initial mass of sample as delivered
b = mass of sample after drying
c. Moisture content
c. Moisture content

1-
c. Moisture content
c. Moisture content
d. Density of solid wastes
d. Density of solid wastes
d. Density of solid wastes
2. Chemical properties
• The four important properties if the solid wastes are to be used as fuel.
1. Proximate analysis
a) Moisture (loss at 105OC for 1 hr)
b) Volatile matter (additional loss at 550+50)
c) Ash (residue after burning)
d) Fixed carbon (remainder)
2. Fusing point of ash Typical fusion
temperatures for the formation of clinker from solid waste range from 1100 to
1200oC.
3. Ultimate analysis (% of C, H, O, N, S and ash)
4. Heating value (energy value)
2.1 Proximate and Ultimate Chemical Analysis
2.2 Inert residue and energy content MSW
Energy content

Energy values may be converted to a dry basis

Estimating the energy content
Estimating the energy content
Energy content
Approximate energy content values may be determined by
modified Dulong formula

kJ/kg = 337C + 1428 (H - O ) + 9S

8

Where C = carbon, percent

H= hydrogen, percent
O= oxygen, percent
S= sulfur, percent
Data on ultimate analysis
Example
Example
Example
Example
Example
Example
II. Physical, chemical and biological properties of HW
Properties of Hazardous wastes
• Hazardous wastes are wastes that pose substantial present
or potential hazard to human health or living organisms
because
• (1) such wastes are non-degradable or persistent in nature,
• (2) they can be biologically magnified.
• (3) they can be lethal, or
• (4) they may otherwise cause or tend to cause detrimental
cumulative effects.
Hazardous waste characterization
 Hazardous waste characterization

• 50% paints and paint products

• 20% used motor oil
• 20% solvents, pesticides and herbicides
• 10% batteries, unidentified materials and other miscellaneous items, such as
• old chemistry sets, photographic materials, and fiberglass epoxy.
Properties of Hazardous wastes

• Health - related 5. Toxicity

properties • Acute toxicity
1. Carcinogenicity • Chronic toxicity
2. Infectivity • 6. Radioactivity
3. Irritant (allergic • 7. Teratogenicity -an
response) disturb the development
4. Mutagenicity of the embryo or fetus.
Properties of Hazardous wastes
• Municipalities have most commonly used the following
properties to define a hazardous waste:

1. Ignitability
2. Corrosivity
3. Reactivity
4. Toxicity
5. Carcinogenicity
1. Ignitability
• Ignitability is the characteristic used to define as hazardous
those wastes that could cause a fire during transport,
storage, or disposal.
• Examples of ignitable wastes include waste oils and used
solvents.
• It is a liquid, other than an aqueous solution containing less
than 24% alcohol by volume, and has flash point less than
60°C
2. Corrosivity
• Corrosivity, as indicated by pH, was chosen as an identifying
characteristic of a hazardous waste because wastes with high
or low pH can react dangerously with other wastes or cause
toxic contaminants to migrate from certain wastes.

• Examples of corrosive wastes include acidic wastes and used

pickle liquor from steel manufacture.

• Steel corrosion is a prime indicator.

3. Reactivity
• Reactivity was chosen as an identifying characteristic of a
hazardous waste because unstable wastes can pose an
explosive problem at any stage of the waste management
cycle.

• Examples of reactive wastes include water from TNT

operations and used cyanide solvents.
3. Toxicity
• If the concentration of the toxic constituent exceeds the
regulatory limit, the waste is classified as hazardous.
Classification of hazardous wastes
Radioactive substances

• Emit ionizing radiation

• Radioactive substances are of special concern because
they persist for long period of time.
• For example, uranium compounds have half-lives that
range from 72 years from U232 to 23,420,000 years for
U236
Classification of hazardous wastes
Chemicals
• Most hazardous chemical wastes can be classified into four groups :
• ( 1) synthetic organics;
• (2) inorganic metals, salts, acids, and bases;
• (3) flammables; and
• (4) explosives.
• Flammables and explosive chemicals are discussed separately in
this section because they present an especially difficult storage,
collection, and disposal hazard.
 Classification of hazardous wastes
Biological wastes
• The principal sources of the hazardous biological wastes are
hospitals and biological research facilities.
• The ability to infect other living organisms and the ability to
produce toxins.
• Include malignant tissues taken during surgical procedures
and contaminated materials, such as hypodermic needles,
bandages and out dated drugs.
• Hazardous biological wastes are generated as a byproduct of
industrial biological conversion processes.
Classification of hazardous wastes
Flammable wastes
• Most flammable hazardous wastes are also identified as
hazardous chemical wastes.
• This is because of the high potential hazard in sorting,
collecting, and disposing of flammable wastes.
• May be liquid, gaseous, or solid form, but most often they
are liquids.
• Typical examples include organic solvents, oils, plasticizers,
and organic sludge.
Classification of hazardous wastes
Explosives

• Explosive hazardous wastes are mainly ordnance materials

and the wastes from the ordnance manufacturing.
• Some industrial gases are included.
• Have a high potential for hazard in storage, collection, and
disposal.
• May exist in solid, liquid, or gaseous form.
Home work I
Estimate the moisture content, density, energy content and approximate chemical formula

Components Percent by mass

(a) (b) (c) (d)
Food waste 12 15 10 20
Paper 40 45 40 50
Cardboard 8 5 6 8
Plastic 4 5 6 6
Garden trimming 15 10 15 6
Wood 5 5 5 5
Inerts 16 15 18 5
Assignment I (30%)
• You have to evaluate and present a summery on a solid waste
management journal.