Title: A graphical method to determine the incinerability of municipal solid waste

Authors: Roshni Mary Sebastian; Dinesh Kumar; Babu J. Alappat

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G-1H9, Canada ' Engineering Department, North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Dr. SPM Civic Centre, Minto Road, New Delhi, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India

Abstract: Incinerability index (i-Index) is a recently developed multi-dimensional indicator which quantifies the incinerability of municipal solid waste (MSW) incorporating the 3-E concept. However, a limit/range of values needs to be defined within which MSW can sustain incineration autogenously. This article showcases a graphical method to determine the incinerability, called incinerability plot or i-Plot. i-Plot consists of a plot constructed using normalised parameter values. Three incinerability zones are subsequently defined, viz. central non-incinerable zone, followed by incinerable and autogenously incinerable zone. As the distance from the centre of the plot increases, incinerability increases, until it attains self-sustained combustibility towards the outer boundary of incinerable zone. The corresponding i-Index values are used to establish an incinerability range. MSW with i-Index > 45 is hence incinerable, whereas i-Index > 89 is autogenously incinerable for energy recovery. Based on the position of MSW in the plot and the composite indicator value, assessment of incinerability may be made. i-Plot also illustrates the variation in individual parameter scores besides identifying the contribution of individual parameters to the incinerability.

Keywords: municipal solid waste; waste to energy; WtE; feasibility assessment; decision-making; incinerability; i-Index; waste management; incineration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.139248

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2024 Vol.34 No.2, pp.228 - 248

Accepted: 19 Jan 2022
Published online: 28 Jun 2024 *

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