Efficient Resource Recovery Options from Municipal Solid Waste: Case Study of Patna, India

Solid waste management is one of the biggest issues in India as well as in the world. The generation of solid waste should be estimated for proper management of municipal solid waste (MSW) of the cities. The segregation, collection, transportation and disposal of MSW are currently done in very unscientific and causal way in India and in many other developing countries. This creates problem for environment in terms of water, air and odour pollution. In this study, the characteristics of MSW have been estimated for Patna city and management has been carried out for recovery of resources. The components of MSW have been estimated and based on that, moisture, density and energy content have been quantified. Afterwards, chemical compositions have been calculated and chemical formula has been made for MSW. This composition can help to estimate requirement of oxygen to degrade MSW and recovery of methane and carbon dioxide from MSW. Generally, landfill for solid waste management is planned for fifteen years or more than that. It is carried out in several parts or layers which take many years. In this paper, the calculation of energy content, requirement of oxygen to degrade MSW and recovery of methane, carbon dioxide from MSW have been carried out for a year which can be done for whole landfill period. keywords: Physical Characteristics, Energy Contain, Chemical Characteristics.