Subject Code/Name : CME 366/EQUIPMENT FOR POLLUTION CONTROL

Regulation : R-2021
Year/Sec : THIRD YEAR
Semester : SIXTH SEMESTER

UNIT – IV
EQUIPMENT FOR SOLID WASTE PROCESSING

Operational principles and Design criteria of Dewatering equipment – centrifuge, Vacuum Filter, Filter
Press- Size Reduction equipment – shredders, grinders – Trommel and Disc Screens – Air Classifiers-
bailing and briquetting – incinerators –Pyrolysis – Field visit to a solid waste processing facility

1. Operation of Dewatering Equipment in Solid Waste Treatment

 It is the process of draining rainwater or groundwater from an excavated area before construction
begins.
 This process separates liquids from solid material such as drilling mud, dredged slurry, and more.

Process
 Preparation: Before operating dewatering equipment, the waste material needs to be prepared.
This may involve screening to remove large debris and sludge.
 Feeding: The prepared sludge is fed into the dewatering equipment either manually or through
automated systems, depending on the equipment and facility setup.
 Dewatering Process: Once the sludge is fed into the equipment, the dewatering process begins.
This typically involves the application of pressure, vacuum, or centrifugal force to separate the
water from the solids.
  Monitoring: Operators monitor various parameters during the dewatering process, such as
pressure, flow rate, and moisture content, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
 Discharge: As the dewatering process proceeds, the dewatered solids are discharged from the
equipment, usually as a dry cake or sludge with significantly reduced moisture content
 Maintenance: Regular maintenance of dewatering equipment is essential to ensure continued
operation and prevent downtime. This may involve cleaning, lubrication, and inspection of
components.
Design Consideration of De-watering equipment
 Particle composition:
 Consider the consistency of the waste material, whether it is sludge-like, fibrous, or granular, as
this influences the choice of dewatering technology.
 Capacity and Output:
 Determine the volume of solid waste to be processed per unit of time to select dewatering
equipment with the appropriate capacity.
 Ensure that the dewatering equipment can handle variations in waste flow rates and maintain
consistent dewatering performance.
 Dewatering Efficiency:
 Design the equipment to achieve the desired level of moisture removal from the solid waste
while minimizing energy consumption and operating costs.
 Operational Considerations:
 Incorporate automation and control systems for efficient operation, monitoring of key
parameters, and adjustment of process variables.
 Safety Features:
 Implement safety features and protocols to protect operators and prevent accidents during
equipment operation and maintenance activities.
 Energy Efficiency:
 Energy Consumption: Optimize the design for energy efficiency by selecting efficient motors,
drives, and control systems, and minimizing energy losses during the dewatering process.
 Space and Layout:
 Consider space constraints and layout requirements for installation of dewatering equipment
within the solid waste processing facility.

2. Operation of Vaccum Filter in Solid Waste Processing

 The primary function of vacuum filtration is to separate solid particles from a liquid by using a
vacuum to draw the liquid through a filter medium while leaving the solid particles behind.
 This technique is widely used in laboratories and industrial settings for various purposes.
Process
 Feed Introduction:
 The slurry or mixture of solid waste and liquid is introduced into the vacuum filter system.
 Filtration Stage:
 Once the slurry enters the system, it passes through a filtration medium, such as a filter cloth
or filter paper.
 The filter medium allows the liquid component of the slurry to pass through while retaining
the solid particles on its surface.
 Vacuum Application:
 A vacuum pump creates a pressure differential between the atmosphere and the interior of the
filter system.
 This pressure difference draws the liquid component of the slurry through the filter medium,
leaving behind the solid particles.
 Cake Formation:
 As the liquid passes through the filter medium, the solid particles accumulate on its surface,
forming a layer known as the filter cake.
 Cake Discharge:
 Once the filtration process is complete, the solid filter cake needs to be removed from the filter
medium.
 This can be achieved through various methods such as scraping, vibration, or pressure-driven
discharge mechanisms
 Liquid Recovery:
 The filtrate, which is the liquid component that has passed through the filter medium, is
collected and usually processed further for reuse, recycling, or disposal,
Advantages
 Less maintenance
 Less production cost
 Require less time for process
3. Operation process of Filter Press in Solid Waste Processing
 A filter press works by separating out solids from liquids, removing impurities, and suspended
solids from industrial wastewater.
 This allows plant managers to easily handle and dispose of waste while returning clean water to
their systems. Filter presses separate liquids and solids.
 It's commonly employed in industries dealing with wastewater treatment, mining, chemical
manufacturing, and food processing.
Process
 Filling Stage:
 The solid waste enters the chambers through a feed pump
 The chambers are lined with filter cloths or filter plates that allow liquid to pass through while
trapping solid particles.
 Filtration Stage:
 As the slurry fills the filter chambers, the liquid component, known as the filtrate, passes
through the filter medium and drains out of the filter press.
 The solid particles are retained within the chambers, forming a filter cake on the filter
medium.

 Compression Stage:
 Once the feed pressure has cycled out, the system will be closed and the membrane squeeze
will begin. Water or Air is pumped behind the membrane bladders.
 Draining Stage:
 Once the compression stage is complete. The Water or Air will drain from the Mash Filter.
  Discharge of Filter Cake: After drying, the filter cake is discharged from the filter press
chambers.
 Cleaning and Maintenance: Periodic cleaning and maintenance of the filter press are essential to
ensure its continued efficiency and longevity.
Advantages
 Effective removal of Liquid from Solid
 Automated Operation
 Less space is required
Disadvantages
 High Initial cost
 Complex Process
 More Power consuming
4. Explain Shredders Equipment in Solid Waste Processing
 Shredders are vital size reduction equipment used in various industries to break down large
materials into smaller, more manageable pieces.
 They are designed to shred materials such as paper, plastics, wood, metal, and other solid waste
materials.
Types of Shredders:
 Paper Shredders
 Plastic Shredders
 Wood Shredders
 Metal Shredders
 Tire Shredders
Working Process
 Feeding:
 The material is fed into the shredder through a hopper, conveyor belt, or by manual feeding,
depending on the type and size of the shredder.
 Cutting or Grinding:
 Inside the shredder, rotating blades or hammers cut, tear, or grind the material into smaller
pieces.
 The design of the blades or hammers varies based on the type of material being shredded and
the desired output size.
 Screening:
 Some shredders have screens to control the size of the shredded material.
 This helps to achieve a uniform particle size and separate oversized pieces for further
processing.
  Discharge:
 The shredded material issent out of the shredder through a conveyor belt.
 Depending on the application, the shredded material may be collected for recycling, disposal,
or further processing.

Advantages
 Effective volume reduction
 Material recycling
 Waste management
Disadvantages
 High Initial cost
 Require regular maintenance
 Consume more energy
5. Explain the Operation working and types of material size reducing machine in Solid Waste
Treatment
Grinders:
 Grinders, also known as shredders or chippers, are used to reduce the size of solid waste
materials by breaking them down into smaller pieces.
 Function:
 Grinders use rotating blades or hammers to shred or pulverize materials such as wood, plastic,
paper, and organic waste.
 They help reduce the volume of bulky waste and prepare materials for further processing or
disposal.
 Applications:
 Grinders are commonly used in recycling facilities, composting operations, biomass
processing plants, and waste-to-energy facilities to process raw materials and waste streams.
 Types: Grinders come in various types and configurations, including horizontal grinders, tub
 grinders, and vertical grinders, each suited to specific materials and processing requirements.
Trommels:
 Trommels are cylindrical drum screens used to separate materials based on size in solid waste
processing and recycling operations. Here's how they work:

 Function:
 Trommels consist of a rotating cylindrical drum with mesh panels.
 As the drum rotates, solid waste materials are fed into one end, and smaller particles pass
through the screen openings, while larger materials continue remain in the drum.
 Applications:
 Trommels are used in various waste processing applications, including municipal solid waste
(MSW) sorting facilities, composting operations, construction and demolition (C&D)
recycling, and mining operations.
Disc Screens:
 Disc screens are capable of separating contaminants, dust, which are widely used in the waste
treatment industry to separate non-sanitary landfill waste and mixed industrial waste.

 Function:
 Disc screens use rotating shafts with spaced discs or stars to separate materials based on size
and shape.
 The discs or stars allow smaller particles to pass through while larger materials are conveyed
along the length of the screen for further reduction.
 Applications: Disc screens are used for sorting and separating various materials, including MSW,
construction and demolition debris, compost, and biomass.
  Advantages:
 Disc screens offer high throughput rates
 Low maintenance requirements
 Effective screening performance

6. Explain the operation of Air Classifiers in Solid Waste Management

 These classifiers utilize air as a medium to separate solid particles based on their size, shape,
density, and other physical properties.
 Air classifiers play a significant role in solid waste management processes, particularly in the
context of recycling and material recovery facilities (MRFs).
Operational Process
 As the waste material enters the classifier, it encounters an airstream that carries lighter particles
upward while heavier particles settle downward due to gravity.
 By controlling the airflow and other operating parameters, the classifier can effectively separate
different types of materials based on their physical characteristics.
 By separating recyclable materials such as plastics, metals, and paper from non-recyclable waste,
air classifiers help maximize resource recovery and minimize the amount of material sent to
landfills.
Advantages
 Effective separation of solid waste
 Flexible operation
 Resource recovery
Disadvantages
 High initial cost
 More power consuming
 Maintenancerequired

7. Explain about Baling and Briquetting in Solid Waste Management

 Baling and briquetting are two common methods used in solid waste processing, particularly in
the recycling industry, to manage and reduce the volume of waste materials.
Baling
 Baling involves compressing and binding waste materials into compact, uniform bales using a
baler machine.
 The materials most commonly baled include cardboard, paper, plastics, metals, and textiles.
Process
 Collection and Sorting: Waste materials are collected and sorted based on their type and quality.
 Compression: The sorted materials are fed into a baler machine, which compresses them using
hydraulic pressure or a mechanical mechanism.
 The compression process reduces the volume of the materials and forms them into dense,
rectangular bales.
 Binding: Once the desired bale size is achieved, binding material such as wire, twine, or strapping
is used to secure the bales and prevent them from falling apart.
 Storage and Transportation: The bales are then stored for later transportation to recycling
facilities or markets.

Advantages
 High volume reduction
 Easy Material Handling
 Resource recovery
Briquetting
 Briquetting is a process that involves compressing loose, powdery, or granular materials into
dense, solid blocks or briquettes.
 It is commonly used for materials such as biomass, agricultural residues, coal fines, and metal
swarf.
Process
 Material Preparation: Raw materials are collected and prepared for the briquetting process.
 This may involve drying, shredding, and sizing the materials to achieve the desired consistency
and moisture content.
 Compression: The prepared materials are fed into a briquetting machine, which applies pressure
through a hydraulic or mechanical mechanism to compact the materials into dense, solid blocks or
briquettes.
 Cooling and Packaging: Once it is compacted, the briquettes may undergo a cooling process to
stabilize their shape and hardness. They are then packaged and stored for distribution or sale.
 Advantages
 Volume reduction in Agro. Waste
 Waste utilization
 More economy benefits
8. Explain the process of Incinerator in Solid Waste Management
 Incineration is the process of controlling waste by burning of solid waste that leads to Energy
recovery and destruction of solid waste.
Process
 Waste Input: Solid waste, including municipal solid waste (MSW), medical waste, hazardous
waste, and sometimes biomass, is fed into the incinerator through a controlled process.
 Combustion Chamber: Inside the incinerator, the waste undergoes controlled combustion at high
temperatures, typically ranging from 800°C to 1200°C (1472°F to 2192°F).
 Energy Recovery: The heat generated during combustion can be captured and converted into
energy in the form of steam or electricity through boilers and turbines.
 Air Pollution Control: Incinerators are equipped with various air pollution control technologies
to minimize emissions of harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, heavy metals, dioxins, and
furans.
 These technologies include electrostatic precipitators, bag filters, scrubbers, and catalytic
converters.
 Ash Handling: After combustion, the remaining solid residue, known as ash, is collected and
disposed.
 Advantages
 Volume reduction
 Energy Recovery
 Toxic waste destruction
Disadvantages
 Air Pollution
 High Initial cost
 Ash contains toxic substances

9. Explain Pyrolysis process in Solid Waste Management

 Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition process that occurs in the absence of oxygen.
 It involves the heating of organic materials to high temperatures (typically between 400°C to
800°C) in a controlled environment, leading to the breakdown of complex organic molecules into
simpler compounds, gases, and biochar.
 The prepared solid waste feedstock is introduced into the pyrolysis reactor, where it is heated to
high temperatures in the absence of oxygen.

 As the temperature increases, the complex organic molecules in the waste materials break down
 into simpler compounds such as gases, liquids, and solids.
 During pyrolysis, the organic materials undergo gasification and vaporization, leading to the
production of gases such as methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs).
 The gases produced during pyrolysis are typically passed through a cooling system, where they
undergo condensation to form liquid byproducts such as bio-oil or pyrolysis oil.
 In addition to gases and liquids, pyrolysis also produces a solid residue known as biochar or
charcoal.
 Biochar can be used as a soil conditioner to improve soil fertility, water retention, in agriculture.
Advantages
 Resource Recovery
 Waste Reduction
 Energy Production
10. Field visit to a solid waste processing facility
 Introduction:
 Begin with an introduction to the facility and its operations. Learn about the types of waste
accepted, recycling processes, and any specific challenges or innovations.
 Receiving and Sorting Area:
 Start with the receiving area where waste trucks unload their contents. Observe how waste is
sorted and segregated into different categories such as recyclables, organic waste, and residual
waste.
 Learn about the equipment used for sorting, such as conveyor belts, trommels, and magnetic
separators.
 Material Recovery Processes:
 Explore the recycling and recovery processes for different materials (plastics, paper, glass,
metals, etc.).
 Observe how recyclable materials are baled, shredded, or crushed for further processing.
 Waste-to-Energy Facilities:
 If the facility includes waste-to-energy technologies such as incineration or gasification,
observe these processes and learn about the energy recovery mechanisms in place.
 Environmental Considerations:
 Discuss the facility's environmental management practices, including wastewater treatment,
odor control, and dust suppression measures.
 Safety Protocols:
 Know the importance of safety protocols and procedures in waste processing facilities.
 Reflect on the key takeaways from the visit and consider how they relate to broader issues of
waste management and sustainability.
 2 MARK QUESTIONS
1. What is meant by solid waste
 Solid waste refers to any discarded or abandoned materials that are not liquid or gaseous in nature.
 It encompasses a wide range of materials generated by human activities, including residential,
commercial, industrial, and institutional sources.
2. Name two types of equipment used in solid waste management
 Incinerators:
 Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)
3. What are the primary functions of dewatering equipment?
 Removal of water from solid
 Volume reduction
 Prevent contamination
 Improve handling
4. What is a vacuum filter, and how does it work?
 A vacuum filter is a type of filtration system used to separate solids from liquids by applying a
vacuum pressure.
 It consists of a porous filter medium, such as cloth or a screen, through which the liquid passes
while the solids are retained.
5. Name two types of equipment used for waste collection.
 Garbage trucks
 Waste bins and Containers
6. What is the purpose of a compactor in solid waste management?
 The purpose of a compactor in solid waste management is to reduce the volume of waste materials
before disposal.
 Compactors are machines equipped with a hydraulic or mechanical system that compresses waste
materials
7. Give two examples of equipment used for waste segregation.
 Conveyor Belts
 Trommel Screens
8. How does a landfill compactor aid in waste management?
 Waste Compression:
 Density Increasing
 Stability and Safety
 Covering and compacting
9. What role do balers play in solid waste management?
 Volume Reduction
 Easy handling and transportation  Storage optimization
10. Describe two functions of a waste incinerator in waste management.
 One of the primary functions of a waste incinerator is to reduce the volume of waste.
 Waste incineration can generate heat energy through the combustion of organic materials present
in the waste stream.
11. What are the advantages of using Trommels in solid waste sorting?
 Efficient Segregation:
 Suitable for wide range of waste
 Minimum Maintenance required
 Contamination reduction
12. Explain the function of a landfill gas extraction system in waste management.
 Organic Gas Collection
 Gas Migration Prevention
 Environmental Protection
 Energy Recovery
13. Describe the environmental benefits of Pyrolysis.
 Reduce green house emission
 It also contributes to separating and storing a harmful substance such as carbon dioxide
 Promote Renewable energy production.