Modeling the energy content of municipal solid waste using multiple regression analysis

In this research multiple regression analysis was used to develop predictive models of the energy content of municipal solid waste (MSW). The scope of work included collecting waste samples in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, characterizing the waste, and performing a stepwise forward selection procedure for isolating variables. Two regression models were developed to correlate the energy content with variables derived from physical composition and ultimate analysis. The performance of these models for this particular waste was superior to that of equations developed by other researchers (e.g., Dulong, Steuer) for estimating energy content. Attempts at developing regression models from proximate analysis data were not successful.