Análise da degradação e do poder calorífico de resíduos sólidos urbanos.

Abstract

The management of municipal solid waste, currently done wrongly in most Brazilian cities, accelerating the degradation of the environment, and the search for alternative energy sources to supply the growing demand, are currently discussed and problems that need solutions urgent. This study identifies physical and chemical characteristics of MSW deposited in bioreactor that simulates the conditions of a landfill site, and evaluates the possibility of using a material that is still dismissed as fuel for power generation. The overall objective was to evaluate the degradation and the calorific value of municipal solid waste. The samples analyzed by FTIR, XRD, TG and DSC were collected in lysimeter constructed at the Federal University of Campina Grande and filled MSW previously characterized. FTIR tests indicated a predominance of the organic materials present in samples of MSW. By X-ray diffraction main peak and common to all samples was quartz, which explains the presence of the soil cover of the samples. MSW samples had poor thermal stability, degradation occurring between room temperature and 1000 ºC, being visible and acceptable state that occurs in five steps loss associated volatilization of the solvents (water and alcohol), the combustion of cellulose, natural rubber, putrescible organic matter and plastics, as well as the oxides formed during the process. DSC curves for an endothermic reaction associated with the first weight loss and four reactions, two endothermic and exothermic two linked to the loss of the degradation of the organic components have been identified. The 348,402 kg/day of USW produced in Campina Grande, sampled by mass of the bioreactor have an average calorific value of 3,744.86 kcal/kg, and could be generated 1,518,551.40 kW.h/day of thermal energy or 303,710. 28 kW.h/day of electricity, with conversion efficiency of 20%.