Prediction of the energy content of the municipal solid waste

Abstract

Aims: In this study, the amount, composition, and energy content of waste in Isfahan, Iran, were examined. Materials and Methods: A time series model was used to predict the amount of waste generation in the future. The past waste changes was the basis for predicting how and to what extent the components will chnage. The energy content of mixed waste was calculated by the common heating value of each component and Dulonge s formula. Results: The estimation of the amount of waste generated in Isfahan showed that the amount of organic materials would reduce to 59.1% and plastic materials would increase to 24.44%. Heating values of mixed waste, coarse, and fine reject based on dry weight were estimated in the first method as 3230, 1911, and 370 MWh per day, respectively, and as 2656, 1160, and 329 MWh per day, respectively, using Dulong s formula for the year 2019. Conclusions: The results showed that by separating the combustible part of the waste and incinerating it, a remarkable amount of energy would be produced from waste in Isfahan resulting in the reduction of required landfill space and greenhouse gas emissions.