Evaluation of SRF Production from Biodegradable MSW: A Case Study for Izmir City-Turkey

Municipal solid waste management is an important problem in Turkey especially in metropolitan cities like İzmir. The statistics show that approximately 4,500 ton solid wastes are collected in İzmir per day. In the light of new technologies, European Union improves directives about waste management. Besides, Turkey develops the legislation with respect to the directives of European Union. Hence, in order to define the rules for usage of wastes as alternative raw materials and preparation of solid recovered fuel (SRF), The Statement of Solid recovered fuel, Additive Fuel and Alternative Raw Materials has been published in 2014. This study aimed to define composition and characterization of İzmir Metropolitan City solid waste and evaluate the appropriateness for SRF production. As a result, the average water content was found as 62.6 % which is higher than the limit value in the statement (35 %), the average calorific value was 2,941 kcal/kg that is higher than the limit value which is 2,500 kcal/kg, the chlorine content was measured as 0.86 % as less than 1 % required in the statement and the highest Hg content was calculated as 0.131 μg/MJ that is required as 300 μg/MJ in the statement. If necessary sorting and drying processes are carried out, the biodegradable part of the solid waste of İzmir can be proper for SRF production