The Potential of Biodrying as Pre-treatment for Municipal Solid Waste in Malaysia

Abstract

The condition of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Malaysia, which contains excessive moisture complicate the segregation process of recycling and making the use of such technology as solid waste burning unsuitable and harmful. In addition, not much MSW pre-treatment is carried out in Malaysia to reduce the moisture content. Although Malaysia's first waste-to-energy plant has proven to be relatively efficient in generate renewable energy, the technology is still facing problems due to the natural features of MSW in Malaysia that is too wet. Biodrying is an economic and environmental friendly method because the main principle utilises internal energy by organic waste decomposition. In this study, the potential of biodrying to reduce excessive moisture content for MSW in Malaysia was investigated using experimental laboratory scale biodrying reactor. The results showed the final moisture content for biodrying process was 24.1% reduced from the initial moisture content of 66.5% while the calorific value increased from 1210 Kcal/kg to 3420 Kcal/kg. Copyright © 2015 Penerbit Akademia Baru - All rights reserved.