Proposal of methods and tools for assessing the potential of energy recovery systems in integrated municipal solid waste management applied to the municipalities of Santo André and Itaquaquecetuba

Abstract

Economic growth coupled with sustainable development is one of the greatest challenges imposed on nations, worldwide, in this century. In this scenario, the diversification of the energy matrix, with an increase in renewable sources, and the integrated management of municipal solid waste (MSW), with an increase in recycling and technologies for treatment, are among the main goals of developing nations. In Brazil, about 79 million tons of garbage are generated annually, of which 45% are inappropriately treated, and when collected are disposed of in dumps or controlled landfills. Currently, in Brazil, the only alternative environmentally friendly for the final disposal of MSW is landfills, which require large areas and have a limited useful life. The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS / Law Number 12,305/2010), instituted in the country in 2010, advocates, in addition to the end of controlled dumps and landfills, an increase in recycling and waste treatment, before its final disposal in landfills. Technologies for treatment of MSW with energy recovery (biochemical and thermochemical processes) are desirable because they reduce the volume destined to landfills and contribute to the diversification of the energy matrix. The choice of the most suitable process and the sizing of the system depend on several factors, among them, the physical and chemical properties of the MSW that will be used in their feeding. However, the waste has a heterogeneous and variable composition depending on the characteristics of those who produce it and the processes that make up the integrated management system, such as the existence of the selective collection system and available recycling technologies. Thus, it is essential to know the physical and chemical properties of local waste from statistically representative samples. For this, it is necessary to collect many samples from a population of great volume and weight for laboratory analysis, resulting in a high number of tests and a large volume of data and information. Obtaining and processing this data requires resources, time and technical knowledge, so it is not always feasible for decision makers to obtain reliable data. In view of the above, this project aims to develop sampling methods and tools for data treatment that assist municipal managers in the assessment and decision-making on the implementation of systems for the treatment of municipal solid waste according to the hierarchy recommended by the PNRS , considering the different possible scenarios for the implementation of selective collection, sorting and recycling systems and energy recovery technologies through biochemical and thermochemical routes, based on a case study in the municipalities of Santo André and Itaquaquecetuba, located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. (AU)