Abstract

Modern management of waste around the world has moved from waste disposal to
energy recovery through WtE. Technologies that can be utilized to recover energy
from MSW mainly include thermal conversion processes such as incineration,
gasification, pyrolysis, biochemical conversion processes and chemical conversion.
This study focused on the impact of moisture content on the heating value of
Municipal solid waste from Kabagarame dumping site in Bushenyi District, Uganda.
Specifically, wet solid waste samples were analyzed and the impact of moisture
content on the heating value was evaluated. This study evaluated the impact of
moisture content on the heating value of the waste. The result showed that dry matter
gives out more energy than wet matter. The Gross energy content of the MSW on wet
basis when compared to the Gross energy content on dry basis is observed to be lower.
This is attributed to the fact that the moisture content in the waste lowers the heating
value of the waste by absorbing the heat thereby reducing the relative efficiency of
heating when the solid waste is combusted. In, wet season, there should be a
temporary roof at the dumping site to shelter the municipal solid waste so as to
minimize exposure of the waste to moisture as this significantly lowers the Energy
content of the waste