Characterization and energy potential of domestic waste in a low-population developed region

ABSTRACT

Cities worldwide have different sizes and development levels. The approach to store the wastes produced in different cities may vary depending on the size and development level of the specific region. In this study, municipal solid waste (MSW) characteristics for three income groups (low-, medium-, and high-income) in a region with a high level of development but low population density were examined. The MSW values pertaining to summer and winter months were analyzed. The results were used to predict the amount of electricity that could be generated from the landfill gas. The organic fraction of the MSW was 52.31%, and paper and cardboard, among other materials, occupied 19.63% of this fraction. The summer and winter distributions for the organic fraction were 34.33% and 30.38%, respectively. A total of 3.67 kW/t MSW of electricity could be generated.

KEYWORDS:

• Municipal solid waste
• landfill gas
• waste disposal site
• energy production
• organic fraction

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Volkan Çoban

Volkan Çoban Phd, Chemical engineer, assistant professor at Kocaeli Üniveresity.