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 via thermal conversion processes such as incineration, gasification,
pyrolysis, biochemical conversion processes and chemical conversion. The aim of this
research was to evaluate the heating (calorific) value of municipal wet solid waste
from Kabagarame dumping site in Bushenyi District, Uganda. Wet solid waste samples
were analyzed, the heating value of the wastes were evaluated. The results showed
that other organics had the highest calorific value of 26.22 MJ/kg, followed by paper
16.60 MJ/kg, followed by food waste 16.51MJ/kg and then wood 16.14 MJ/kg on dry
matter basis. The results on the heating value on wet basis showed that other organics
had the highest calorific value of 12.82 MJ/kg, followed by paper 14.04 MJ/kg,
followed by food waste 13.66 MJ/kg and then wood 9.89 MJ/kg. The heating value of
plastics was not obtained since they are recovered from the dumping site and
recycled. This energy can be harnessed by different production facilities particularly
Tea factories in the region through incineration process so as to generate heat
necessary for their production processes. In conclusion, results from this research
also suggest that understanding the composition of municipal solid waste is essential
for creating the best disposal strategy, so that recovering resources trapped in the
wastes can be optimized. It is therefore necessary that energy derived from municipal
solid wastes can be taken into account in the national energy budget.