Different scientific studies claim that solid waste has had diverse effects on both the natural environment and human society. Besides, lack of plausible solid waste handling systems is as well postulated to be a major challenge, mainly in developing countries. For instance, the waste handling systems found in Kigali, Rwanda, are substandard compared to those highlighted by different studies in developed countries such as Sweden and USA. In general, municipal authorities and other private companies, mainly in Rwanda, are keen to keep streets and some suburbs clean with the help of open landfill disposal system. They often collect and dump solid waste, mixed of organic and inorganic materials to the only municipal dump site located at Nyanza Hill in the outskirts of Kigali City.
The exploratory study conducted in Kigali, Rwanda tested the plausibility of briquetting, composting, incineration, cullet pulverisation, and plasma pyrolysis systems to handle solid waste. The study started with the review of various literatures on solid waste management, and thereafter surveyed 400 residents of Kigali City for their opinions. Computer software Web-Hipre was used to analyze public opinions on the five systems to handle solid waste. The results indicate briquetting as the optimal system to handle solid waste in Kigali City. Composting considered suboptimal; incineration, plasma pyrolysis, and cullet pulverisation systems were not considered.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Waste management theory
1.1.1 Composting
1.1.2 Briquetting
1.1.3 Incineration
1.1.4 Cullet pulverisation
1.1.5 Plasma pyrolysis
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3. STUDY RESULTS
4. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Core Topics
The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of various solid waste management systems, specifically for the city of Kigali, Rwanda. The study addresses the current lack of integrated waste management by analyzing public opinion and technical requirements to identify the most suitable method for the local context.
- Analysis of current solid waste composition and disposal challenges in Kigali.
- Evaluation of five distinct management systems: composting, briquetting, incineration, cullet pulverisation, and plasma pyrolysis.
- Investigation into the influence of environmental, social, and economic factors on waste management implementation.
- Assessment of the role of private sector and institutional frameworks in improving waste handling efficiency.
- Identification of briquetting as an optimal solution based on user-preference and local resource availability.
Excerpt from the Publication
1.1.2 Briquetting
Briquetting is about the conversion of organic solid materials, through different processes including hydraulic pressing, piston and screw pressing, into solid fuel (Demirbas, 2010). Briquetting is used in emerging economies in the solid waste management. It may incorporate both raw material recovery and environmentally sound handling of organic solid waste (Koufodimos., Samaras, 2002). As a result of briquetting technology, since 1990, organic solid waste became the leading source of solid fuel worldwide. Countries such as Germany and Netherlands realised contribution of briquetting organic solid waste for heat production (Bautista and Pereira, 2006). These countries transform different organic solid waste including cardboard, sawdust, shavings, waste papers, yard trims, and other assorted municipal solid waste into pellets or briquettes for heat production (Plistil et al., 2005).
Transforming organic solid materials into solid fuel requires starch or a binder for sticking flaked materials together to produce a pellet or briquette. The next step is to dry it to increase its physical strength. The drying of a pellet or briquette is at about 80°C in a furnace or the sun (Food and Agriculture Organisation, 1987). It is usually prepared by passing on hot air to reduce moisture content from 25% to 10% (Environmental Information System, 2006). However, pollution can be generated out of inappropriate briquetting method. This happens, especially, when putting a variety of organic solid waste together to produce briquettes conducted in an uncontrolled environment (Niaounakis and Halvadakis, 2006). The pollutant mainly consists of water-soluble sulphur contents (Sakamoto and Murano, 1996).
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of global solid waste issues and specifically outlines the challenges faced by Kigali, including the reliance on substandard landfills and the lack of integrated management systems.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the exploratory approach taken in the study, utilizing literature reviews, field observations, and surveys of 400 residents analyzed via the Web-Hipre software.
3. STUDY RESULTS: Presents the findings regarding the composition of waste in Kigali and the public perception of various treatment systems, identifying briquetting as the most favored and viable option.
4. CONCLUSION: Discusses the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach, emphasizing that the success of waste management depends on institutional structures, public-private partnerships, and proper training of the workforce.
Keywords
Composting, Briquetting, Incineration, Cullet pulverisation, Plasma pyrolysis, Solid waste management, Kigali, Environmental hygiene, Bioenergy, Landfill disposal, Waste conversion, Public opinion, Organic waste, Sustainable development, Recycling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work investigates the feasibility of implementing advanced solid waste management systems in Kigali, Rwanda, to move away from reliance on open landfill disposal.
What are the core thematic areas?
The themes include the environmental impact of waste, current handling practices in developing nations, and the technical evaluation of potential recycling and conversion technologies.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to determine the most plausible and optimal waste management system for Kigali, balancing environmental, social, and economic viability.
Which scientific methodology was employed?
The study used an exploratory research design involving literature reviews, field observations, and a survey of 400 participants, with data analyzed using the Web-Hipre decision-support software.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the theoretical framework of waste management, detailed breakdowns of five specific technologies (composting, briquetting, incineration, cullet pulverisation, plasma pyrolysis), and the results of the local survey.
What keywords characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as solid waste management, briquetting, composting, environmental hygiene, and waste conversion.
Why is the Nyanza dump site a central point of concern?
It is the sole municipal dump site for Kigali, currently operating at the limits of its capacity and causing significant environmental and health risks through toxic fumes and polluted runoff.
How does the study evaluate the success of briquetting in Kigali?
The study notes that briquetting is favored by 54% of respondents due to the accessibility of raw materials like sawdust and agricultural waste, despite the current challenges of using rudimentary technology.
What is the role of the private sector in the proposed improvements?
The author argues that the private sector is essential for both collection and processing, but requires stronger institutional support and clearer regulatory frameworks to become profitable and efficient.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Kahigana Innocent (Autor:in), 2014, Solid waste conversion and future promise of environmental management, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/268186
