Page 130 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

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Characterization of Solid Waste 101
2. Explain the different methods for sampling MSW. What are the advantages and disad-
vantages of each? Consider accuracy, feasibility, and cost.
3. How do waste generation multipliers work? In your opinion, are they accurate predictors
of waste generation?
4. Fluctuations in waste composition are affected by both geographic region and season of
the year. Explain.
5. What specific attributes of MSW are the preferred indicators of the combustion capabil-
ity of MSW?
6. Explain the difference between fixed carbon and volatile matter.
7. List three methods for determining the energy content of the organic components in
MSW. Which method most accurately reflects ‘real-world’ energy production?
8. What factors must be considered when evaluating MSW as a potential fuel?
9. Why are lignin and cellulose only slowly biodegradable? Refer to their chemical
structures.
10. For a city seeking to better control waste management costs, a thorough assessment of
waste generated from various sources is necessary. From the city’s perspective, would
waste measurements by weight or by volume be the most accurate and efficient?
Explain.
11. How does total moisture content affect overall management of MSW? Are there envi-
ronmental or other implications to a high-moisture content waste stream?
12. Packaging makes up what percentage of the U.S. waste stream? Has this value increased,
decreased or stabilized over the past decade?
13. The heating value of raw MSW is (a) less than, (b) approximately equal to, (c) higher
than that for Midwest bituminous coal (approx 12,000–14,000 Btu/Ib)?
14. Define: heat value, putrescible.
15. The majority of U.S. domestic solid wastes occur as:
(a) plastics, especially PVC and polyethylene; (b) metals; (c) animal manures and yard
wastes; (d) paper and paper products; (e) none of the above.
16. What are the primary sources of aluminum in the U.S. waste stream? Glass? Paper?
17. What is (are) the primary source(s) of lead in MSW? Of mercury? Of cadmium?
18. In your community, are MSW quantities being routinely measured? If yes, compile data
on the total population of the area being served; next, calculate the total weight of MSW
being collected, and convert to number of kilograms (or pounds) of wastes generated per
person per day.
19. For your community, are data being collected regarding waste composition? Compute the
percentage distribution of each waste component in the local waste stream. How does this
distribution compare with the data of Figure 4.3? What factors may account for some of
these differences? If possible, perform calculations for daily generation of specific waste
types, e.g., kg. or pounds of food waste per person per day.
20. In your community, what are possible future trends (10 years, 20 years) in the pro-
duction of food wastes, yard wastes, paper, plastic, and hazardous wastes? Consider
population trends, personal lifestyles, the movement of businesses in or out of the
area, and urban sprawl.
21. MSW composition is a critical factor in formulating waste management programs. What
changes in waste composition do you predict for the next 10 years in U.S. waste compo-
sition? Justify your reasoning.
22. Three decades ago, it was predicted that the use of personal computers would result in a
‘paperless society.’While this prediction obviously did not become reality, has computer
use affected waste paper production? In what ways? Be specific.