The course refers to qualitative and quantitative analysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), main management methods and design of processes for MSW treatment.

The student will emphasize and learn about integrated waste management systems in accordance with their characteristics.

Initially, the MSW is classified based on its characteristics and properties. It is presented the main management methods like collection, transportation, recycling, treatment, and final disposal. The methods are compared (composting, thermal treatment, landfilling), and advantages and disadvantages are presented along with decision making criteria. Mass and energy balances are presented for specific topics like waste-to-energy methods.

Specific systems are analyzed for waste collection: temporary storage, design parameters (bins, storage capacity of collection trucks), collection and transportation system (design of collection routes, evaluation of trucks, capacity, annualcollection and transportation cost, designing examples), transfer station of MSW (operation system, designing system and decision criteria, urban planning, yearly cost, financial assessment of transfer station). Estimation of landfill capacity or integrated waste management facilities for specific cases. Landfill design criteria, and potential construction sites. Biological and chemical degradation of waste. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of degradation products (leachate, biogas).

The student will learn:

• Basic principles on integrated solid waste management, and apply the best approach based on waste characteristics.
• Design collection and transportation systems of MSW.
• Estimate the landfill size or treatment facilities for specific case studies.
• Determination of physicochemical characteristics of degradation products (landfill leachate, biogas).

• Autonomous work
• Team work
• Project design and management

1. Solid waste characteristics, proximate and ultimate analysis. Solid waste types. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
2. Qualitative and quantitative analysis. Solid waste composition in Greece and abroad.
3. Recycling and recovery of materials. Basic principles. Recycling rates. Recycling materials. Packaging waste. Mechanical and Biological Treatment.
4. Aerobic process. Types of aerobic processes. Aerobic process stages. Physical and Chemical parameters. Products of aerobic process. Mass balances. Quality requirements.
5. Anaerobic process. Anaerobic degradation process and systems. Anaerobic degradation stages. Physical and Chemical parameters. Biogas production and management. Advantages and disadvantages of systems.
6. Thermal treatment. Incineration-Combustion. Pyrolysis. Gasification. Plasma technology. Pollutant emissions. Formation mechanism of hazardous pollutants.
7. Process balances. Mass balances. Pollutant balances.
8. Planning of sanitary landfilling. Basic criteria of landfill construction.
9. Sanitary landfilling. Leachate landfill production and characteristics. Biogas. Aftercare period. Landfill restoration
10. Liner systems, leachate collection and management. Leachate production. Hydraulic conductivity and movement of leachate in vadose zone. Liner materials. Leachate leaks.
11. Collection and control of biogas. Biogas prediction amount.
12. Sustainable landfilling. Movement from landfilling to residual landfilling. Mass balances.
13. Estimation of landfill environmental impacts. Strategies for sustainable landfilling.

Assessment Method

I. Written final examination (70%).
- Questions of theoretical knowledge.
- Theoretical problems to be resolved.

ΙΙ. Lab work (30%).

• Four lab exercises
  • On-the-spot multiple choice questions: 25% of the lab grade
  • Team reports: 25% of the lab grade
• Final lab exam: 50% of the lab grade 

• Tchobanoglous G., Kreith F. (2002) Handbook of Solid Waste Management (2nd Ed.). McGraw-Hill, USA.
• Chandrappa R., Das D.B. (2012) Solid Waste Management: Principles and Practice. Springer, Germany.
• Unnisa S.A, Rav S.B. (2012) Sustainable Solid Waste Management. Taylor & Francis, USA.
• Christensen T.H. (2011) Solid Waste Technology and Management. Wiley, UK.