Mid Semester Examination, Autumn 2023
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KHARAGPUR
Date: 19/09/23 TIME: 2.0 Hrs. Full Marks: 50
No. of Student: 40 Autumn Semester, 2023-24
Sub. No. CE 60135 Sub. Name: Solid Waste Management
Section: IV Yr. B.Tech. (H), I Yr. M.Tech & PhD
1. What are the six elements of a waste management system? List them and state few bullet points
which you think is most important (2 to 3 points for each) for each element focusing on its
usefulness/contribution in effective waste management for a city. [2+3]
2. (a) Taking GDP per capita as X-axis and Waste generation per capita as Y-axis, present the typical
expected trend line, why the trend follows that pattern? [2]
In developing countries, improvements in economic conditions have changed the living standard
and increase the rate of consumption of materials. Subsequently, it causes the generation of large
amount of municipal solid waste.
(b) Explain typical single composite liner system used for a sanitary landfill using a sketch, present
all the components and state in a line or two the role of each of the liner system components.
[3]
3. Why TCLP test is done (in other words what is it’s use?)? Explain conceptually the methodology of
the TCLP test (preferably using a sketch). [2+3]
4. Using a sketch, illustrate different phases of landfill stabilization and its impact on leachate and gas
characteristics. Using another sketch, explain briefly explain the leachate collection system (LCS).
[3+2]
5. What is Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT)? Explain the implementation of Volume based and Weight
based PAYT with its benefits and challenges. [1+4]
Pay‐As‐You‐Throw:- In communities with pay‐as‐you‐throw (PAYT) programs, residents are
charged for the collection of MSW based on the amount they throw away.
Communities considering pay‐as‐you‐throw must determine whether they will charge residents for
waste management services based on the volume or weight of their trash.
Volume‐based PAYT:-
Under a volume-based system, residents are charged for waste collection based on the number
and size of waste containers that they use. In some communities, households are charged directly
for waste collection (usually through direct billing) based on the number of bags or cans set out at
the curb. Others require their residents to purchase special trash bags, tags, or stickers that include
the cost of waste collection in the purchase price. Communities basing their programs on trash
volumes typically select a rate structure design that includes one of these two options.
Volume-based systems tend to be significantly less expensive to set up, operate, and administer
than weight-based programs. In some communities, simple programs using bags, tags, or stickers
have been implemented without requiring a large number of waste management changes or
incurring major new expenses. As a result, the vast majority of pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) programs
currently are based on volume.
One potential disadvantage of volume-based programs is trash compaction. Since residents pay
based on the size of their containers, there is a temptation to try to fit as much trash as possible
into each bag or can. This can make the task of picking up trash harder for collection crews. It also
may reduce the waste reduction incentive for residents. To address this, many cities and towns
have placed a weight limit per bag or can and enforce this limit during curbside collections.
Weight‐based PAYT:-
Under weight-based systems, waste is weighed at the curb and residents are billed for collection
and disposal by the pound. Depending on the equipment used, the program can either require
residents to use standard, municipally supplied cans or allow them to continue using their own
cans. Weight-based systems offer the most direct incentive to reduce waste: every pound of trash
that residents prevent, recycle, or compost results in direct savings. In addition, residents often
easily understand this type of system and perceive it as fair.
Weight-based systems tend to be more expensive to implement and operate than a volume-based
approach. Special equipment is required, including truck-mounted scales for weighing waste and
some type of system (for example, bar-coding on waste cans) for recording this information and
entering it into a computer. Residents then need to be billed for this service, which may increase a
municipality's staffing needs.
As a result, very few communities have fully implemented weight-based PAYT systems. Currently,
however, innovations in equipment to weigh and record data are beginning to make these systems
more feasible for some communities. For example, bar codes or radio-frequency identification tags
are declining in price, scales can weigh cans on an incline or in motion, and computerized data
collection and billing systems have been improved.
6. A city in West Bengal with 500,000 populations generates 1.4 kg/capita/day of MSW.
a. How much MSW is generated in the town? [1]
b. How many trucks would be needed to collect the waste twice weekly (giving service to an area
two times a week)? Each truck has a capacity of 2.5 ton (metric tonnes) and operates 4 days
per week. Assume that the truck averages two loads per day at 85% capacity. [2]
c. If the town starts a recycling center and manages to divert 25% of MSW by recycling,
determine the mass of MSW that will still need landfill disposal. [2]
7. You are mixing two waste-streams together, which have following characteristics
Waste % Total Mass Density Moisture Lead (mg/Kg-
(Kg/m3) Content (%) wet)
A 50 1080 40 470
B 50 900 35 220
a. What is the average density of the mixed material? [1]
b. What is the average moisture content of the mixed material? [1]
c. What is the Lead concentration of the mixed waste (mg/Kg-dry)? [1]
d. Is it possible for the mixed waste to fail TCLP? (Pb TC limit = 5mg/L) [2]
8. Economic comparisons of transport alternatives: Determine the break-even time for a stationary –
container system and a separate transfer and transport system for transporting wastes collected
from a metropolitan area to a landfill disposal site. Assume following cost and system data are
applicable. [5]
A. Transport costs:
a. Stationary-container system using an 18-m3 compactor = $20/hr
b. Tractor-trailer transport unit with a capacity of 120 m3 = $25/hr
B. Other costs:
a. Transfer station operating cost, including amortization = $0.40/m 3
b. Extra cost for unloading facilities for tractor-trailer transport unit = $0.05/m3
C. Other data:
a. Density of waste in compactor = 325 kg/m3
b. Density of wastes in transport units = 150 kg/m3
9. (a) A family of four people generates solid waste at a rate of 1 kg/capita/day and the bulk density
of refuse in a typical garbage can is about 120 kg/m3. If the collection is once a week, how many
120-L garbage cans will they need, or the alternative, how many compacted 10-kg blocks would
the family produce if they had a home compactor? How many cans would they need in that case?
(b) Assume each household produces 28 kg of refuse per week (as in prob (a)). How many
customers can a 20 m3 truck that compacts the refuse to 300 kg/m3 collect before it has to make a
trip to the landfill? [3+2]
10. (a) A truck is found to be able to service customers at a rate 1.25 customers per minute. If they
find that the actual time they spend on collection is 4 hours, how many customers can be served
per day? Calculate the number of collection vehicles a community would need if it has a total of
5000 services (customers) that are to be collected once per week. [2]
(b) During tomato growing season, a processing plant handles tomatoes at 100 tonnes per day at
24/7 service over 10 weeks. Given the following supplemental data:
Process water in: 10 m3/hr
Glass packaging: 2 tonnes/wk
Cardboard: 2 tonnes/wk
40% of tomatoes become juice
5% breakage of glass becomes recyclable
1% failure of cardboard becomes recyclable
10% of tomatoes get destroyed during processing
50% of tomatoes stay on site as paste for future processing (water content of paste is 30%)
Specific gravity of liquid waste (WW, lost tomatoes and extracted water): 1.052
Determine: [3]
i Wastewater flow rate in m3/h
ii Amount of recyclable material per tonne of tomato juice
