Qualitative analysis of the possibilities of a suggested device for waste compression and grain size reduction at source

This paper discusses the possibilities of developing and installing a mechanical wastetreatment device – proposed by the author – intended to be used in residences or wastecollecting points. The device would perform the job of waste classification, grain sizereduction and volume compression off the main municipal waste families at theproduction place, thus, reducing the energy and economic cost in the collection andtransportation processes. In the study, the most common sorted types of leftovers produced in municipalities arecategorized and then, separately analysed the treatment to which it is subjected each ofthe type of waste sorted in the Household Solid Waste (HSW). For this purpose, theselection sub-processes they go through before recycling, compost or disposing arespecified and described. The study aims to specify which are the current characteristicsof the collected waste input so as the processing is feasible and correct. The current characteristics are compared to the reduced grain size and specific volumethat would bring the Proposed Waste Pre-Treatment (PWPT). This way, it is determinedif the PWPT characteristics are suitable to their integration in the current waste treatmentsystem. Explanations are given regarding the problems found when searching for usabledata about energy consumption as well as cost of collection and transportation of waste. The present investigation provides strong evidence that the PWPT device is notapplicable in a widespread way to all types of HSWs, as the characteristics of reducedgrain size and specific volume obtained can not be integrated into the current wastetreatment systems of most of residue types. In case wanting to search for means to reduceenergy consumption as well as cost of collection and transportation of waste, othersolutions for each type of waste should be investigated; these are briefly discussed in thethesis.Waste, Pre-treatment, Specific volume decreasing, Specific weight increasing, Grain size reduction, Energy consumption, Economic cost, Garbage disposal, Production point, Collection and transpor