Laboratory Investigations on Geotechnical Properties of Screened Bottom Ash from Two MSW Incineration Plants in Delhi

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration has recently started in India with many new MSW waste-to-energy (WtE) plants underway. The process residue of MSW Incineration (MSWI) is primarily bottom ash (BA), which is being dumped to MSW landfills. The present study is an attempt to investigate the geotechnical properties of MSWI BA from two such plants in Delhi with an objective to evaluate its potential for reuse in bulk geotechnical applications. The results have been compared with coal BA (CBA) from a nearby thermal power plant and local sand. It was found that MSWI BA is comparatively coarser but strength properties are in the similar range to that of CBA and local sand. Compaction densities and specific gravity were lower than local soil but much higher than CBA. With new plants emerging all across the country, this study is a starting point for operators to plan the disposal of these residues effectively as well as save the limited land resources.