Abstract

Determining the physical and chemical characteristics of municipal solid waste (MSW) aids in assessing the potential environmental impacts of any waste management initiative. The study aimed to determine the basic physical and chemical characteristics of urban MSW from two Pakistani megacities (Lahore and Rawalpindi). Physical, proximate, and ultimate micronutrient analyses, as well as an energy potential analysis, were performed on the sampled MSW. Physically, there was 65–70% biogenic content and 40–53% moisture content. Elemental contents were found to be carbon (38–48%) > oxygen (18–21%) > hydrogen (4–4.3%) > nitrogen (0.5–0.9%) > sulfur (0.4–0.8%). Carbohydrates are the most abundant (32–37%) micronutrients. The combustible fraction of waste has a high calorific value, an indication of its energy potential. The MSW generated by Rawalpindi (880 tons per day) and Lahore (6100 tons per day) was found to be suitable for energy production of 6213 and 40,897 MWh, respectively. The MSW of Rawalpindi and Lahore can generate 49 MW per day and 341 MW per day of electricity, respectively. MSW has the potential to be a valuable renewable energy source for Pakistan if appropriate policies and waste management technologies (such as thermochemical treatments and biochemical treatments) are implemented.

摘要

确定城市固体废物 (MSW) 的物理和化学特性有助于评估任何废物管理计划的潜在环境影响。该研究旨在确定来自两个巴基斯坦特大城市（拉合尔和拉瓦尔品第）的城市生活垃圾的基本物理和化学特征。对采样的 MSW 进行了物理、近似和最终微量营养素分析以及能量潜力分析。从物理上讲，生物含量为 65-70%，水分含量为 40-53%。发现元素含量为碳 (38–48%) > 氧 (18–21%) > 氢 (4–4.3%) > 氮 (0.5–0.9%) > 硫 (0.4–0.8%)。碳水化合物是最丰富的 (32–37%) 微量营养素。废物的可燃部分具有高热值，表明其具有能源潜力。拉瓦尔品第（每天 880 吨）和拉合尔（每天 6100 吨）产生的 MSW 分别适用于 6213 和 40,897 MWh 的能源生产。拉瓦尔品第和拉合尔的城市生活垃圾每天分别可产生 49 兆瓦和 341 兆瓦的电力。如果实施适当的政策和废物管理技术（如热化学处理和生化处理），MSW 有可能成为巴基斯坦宝贵的可再生能源。