Abstract:
Thermal conversion of wastes is one of theperspectivesolution to ‘municipal
solid waste’ problem. Thermal conversion process entails thermal
decomposition of material with an increase in temperature. This experimental
analysis investigated thermal decomposition of municipal solid waste using
thethermogravimetric technique. The objective of the analysis was to analyze
the changes in kinetic characteristics with changes in thecomposition of
content in sample waste and temperature. Sample waste analyzed consisted of
plant organic waste, paper, plastics, wood and inert substance. Proximate and
elemental analyses were determined and calorific values determined
experimentally using bomb calorimeter. Thermogravimetric curves were
derived using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at different temperature
rates. Activation energy and preexponential factor were derived using Flynn WallOzawa, KissingerAkahiraSunose and Kissinger model equations.
Additional statistical analyses of variance using ANOVA was conducted for
the different sets of composition analyzed. Results showed kinetic parameter
values for different modelfree models used in analysis as well as the level of
variance in activation energies for different composition of waste and
temperature rates used.
