Municipal Solid Waste Characteristics & Quantities

Question 1

Municipal Solid Waste

Answer 1

Mixed household waste, recyclables, household hazardous waste, commercial waste, yard waste, litter, bulky items, C&D

Question 2

Refuse

Answer 2

defined in terms of “as generated” and “as collected” solid waste

Question 3

Generated Refuse

Answer 3

wastes produced by households and no longer wanted (collected + diverted)

Question 4

Diverted Refuse

Answer 4

refuse that is generated but not collected

Question 5

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Answer 5

Refuse, construction, demolition waste, sludge, leaves, bulky items

Question 6

MSW Characteristics

Answer 6

composition, moisture content, particle size, chemical composition, heat value, bulk density, mechanical properties, biodegradability, toxicity

Question 7

Moisture Transfer

Answer 7

The change in moisture content of various components over time

Question 8

Moisture Content

Answer 8

M(wet basis) = (w-d)/w x 100

M(dry basis) = (w-d)/d x 100

Question 9

Proximate Analysis

Answer 9

moisture (loss of moisture when heated to 105C for 1 hr), volatile combustible matter (loss of weight on ignition at 950C), fixed carbon (combustible residue after volatile matter removed), ash (weight of residue after volatile matter removed)

Question 10

Ultimate Analysis

Answer 10

determining actual percentage of compounds (carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, sulfur)

Question 11

Bulk Density

Answer 11

highly variable do to heterogeneity and compaction during life cycle

Question 12

Material Density

Answer 12

density of material with no void spaces