Assessing total and volatile solids in municipal solid waste samples

作者：Peces M; Astals S^*; Mata Alvarez J

来源：Environmental Technology, 2014, 35(24): 3041-3046.

DOI：10.1080/09593330.2014.929182

• total solids
• volatile solids
• municipal solid waste
• temperature
• smouldering

Municipal solid waste is broadly generated in everyday activities and its treatment is a global challenge. Total solids (TS) and volatile solids (VS) are typical control parameters measured in biological treatments. In this study, the TS and VS were determined using the standard methods, as well as introducing some variants: (i) the drying temperature for the TS assays was 105 degrees C, 70 degrees C and 50 degrees C and (ii) the VS were determined using different heating ramps from room tempature to 550 degrees C. TS could be determined at either 105 degrees C or 70 degrees C, but oven residence time was tripled at 70 degrees C, increasing from 48 to 144 h. The VS could be determined by smouldering the sample (where the sample is burnt without a flame), which avoids the release of fumes and odours in the laboratory. However, smouldering can generate undesired pyrolysis products as a consequence of carbonization, which leads to VS being underestimated. Carbonization can be avoided using slow heating ramps to prevent the oxygen limitation. Furthermore, crushing the sample cores decreased the time to reach constant weight and decreased the potential to underestimate VS.

• 出版日期2014