Technology and Management of Solid Waste I

Learning Outcomes: 

The results of the course are the familiarization of students with topics of design of solid waste management systems with emphasis on municipal solid waste (MSW). The skills acquired by the students are to be able to:

1.  design a collection-transfer system of MSW,
2.  process a mass / energy balance in an individual unit of processing / disposal of MSW,
3.  understand the physicochemical and biochemical processes within each unit of management of MSW,
4. make a preliminary basic design of an integrated MSW system.

Also, additional skills acquired are to be able to implement the basic solid waste characterization laboratory analyzes.

General Skills: 
Specialized knowledge of solid waste legislation
Specialized knowledge on the design of solid waste management systems, with emphasis on municipal solid waste, which includes the subsystems: Collection, storage, transport (haul), transfer, treatment (but not disposal with much detail).
Specialized knowledge of the basic laboratory characterization analytical tests for solid waste

Course Content:

1. European and Greek solid waste legislation. Municipal solid waste and special streams. Definitions. Management of MSW in Greece and in the EU
2. Mass and energy balances in MSW systems.

3. Production and composition / characteristics of solid waste. Physical and chemical composition.

4. Collection-storage systems.

5. Transfer-transport systems

6. Recycling by source separation. Material sorting and recovery facilities.

7. Anaerobic Digestion Systems. Design principles. MBT with anaerobic digestion

8. Aerobic Composting Systems. Design principles. MBT with aerobic digestion.

9. Mechanical and biological pretreatment. Bio-drying. Principles & Design.

10. Mechanical and biological pretreatment. Pre-processing for RDF / SRF production. Principles & Design.

11. Thermal treatment. Principles & Design

12. Final Disposal of Solid Waste and Residues at Landfills.

13. Basic solid waste economics. Life Cycle Analysis and Environmental Impacts on MSW Management. – Greenhouse gases according to IPCC.

Laboratory sessions:

1. Sampling, moisture, shredding, volatile solids in muffle furnace, pH

2. Elemental analysis (weights, calibration curve, elemental analysis and derivation of empirical formula).

3. Calorific value with bomb type calorimeter – Comparison of measurement value with theoretical calculations.

4. Aerobic microbial respiration or Biochemical Methane Potential tests.

Suggested Bibliography: 

• ……..
• 2. Timely notes and articles appearing in e-class.