Kinetic Study of the Thermal Decomposition Process of Municipal Solid Waste Using TGA

Thermal conversion process is considered to be one of the viable processes of converting municipal solid waste to solid fuel. This study investigated thermal decomposition process of municipal solid waste with the objective of deriving kinetic characteristics of the thermal conversion process for waste, and the effects of variation of composition at different heating rates. The sample MSW was obtained and analysed on “as-received” basis. Mass losses were obtained using thermogravimetric analyser, linear regression obtained using non-isothermal model equations proposed and activation energies obtained. Results indicated that activation energies obtained were influenced by the composition of the sample MSW. Furthermore, Activation energies obtained using Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose model equation ranged from 82.6 to 86, 88 to 92.8 kJ/mol for Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and 127–130.3 kJ/mol for Kissinger model equation. Single-factor ANOVA test indicated non-significant difference for MSW set 2 and 3.