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Prediction of Higher Heating Value Bioorganic

Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste from
Proximate Analysis Data
Made Gunamantha
Department of Chemical Analysis
Ganesha University of Education
Singaraja, Indonesia

Abstract— This paper provides proximate analysis data Attractive option that can be considered in the
(moisture content, volatile matter, ash, and fixed carbon) management and energy recovery from waste is thermal
bioorganic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) and their conversion based processing method such as incineration,
calorific values. Samples were collected from waste sorting gasification, and pyrolysis. This method, besides being able to
facilities located in the landfill Temesi Gianyar and Bengkala recovery the energy from waste, it could also reduce the
Singaraja. The moisture content was determined by the volume of waste reached 85% [1], then, it will reduce the land
standard ASTM D 3173-87, volatile matter by the standard need for landfilling. In an effort to evaluate the feasibility of
ASTM D 3175-89, ash content by the standard ASTM D 3174- energy recovery from waste as an integral part of the waste
89, and fixed carbon content is calculated by difference with
management system, it is important to determine the energy
reference to ASTM D 3172-73. The HHV was determined based
content or the calorific value. The calorific value is the
on the standard ASTM D 5865-85 by using Bomb Calorimeter.
Furthermore, nine empirical correlations between the calorific amount of heat released when a unit mass of material burned
value and proximate analysis data were developed to estimate completely. Calorific values are generally expressed in two
the heating value from proximate analysis data base on linear terms, higher heating value (HHV) or gross heating value and
regression. The validity of calculated heating value from each lower heating value (LHV) or net heating value. HHV
equation was conducted by using the experiment heating value. represents the enthalpy change of reactants and products in a
The performance of each model was compared too with the stoichiometric when a compound is burned at reference
models were developed by other researcher based on the temperatures and the water produced is considered in the form
coefficient of determination between calculated and the of liquid, whereas, in LHV, water is considered in the form of
experiment heating value. The results showed that the volatile vapor [2-3].
matter of samples at a range from 64.95 to 74.58%, fixed carbon
from 14.74 to 19.57%, and ash from 10.44 to 16.79%. The The calorific value of a fuel can be determined either by
experimental heating values vary from 14.53 to 17.07 MJ/kg. measurements or by empirical correlation approach.
Based on the correlations confirmed that ash showed negative Measurement method was conducted with use a bomb
influence on the calorific value while the volatile matter and calorimeter [2] that measures the change in enthalpy between
fixed carbon showed positive influence. However, none of which reactants and products. Generally, the empirical approach used
showed a coefficient of determination greater than or equal to mathematical models based on linear regression [4-6]. The
0.90. models were developed to predict the heating value based on
attributes as fuel material such their proximate and ultimate
Keywords— Municipal Solid Waste, Biorganic Fraction, analysis data [5-7]. Proximate analysis data of solid fuel
Proximate Analysis, Calorific Value included moisture content, volatile matter, ash, and fixed
carbon, while the ultimate analysis data included carbon,
I. INTRODUCTION hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. However, given the
Municipal solid waste (MSW) is an integral part of determination of ultimate analysis data is relatively expensive,
people's lives. MSW is generated as a result of human activity. therefore, for the practice purpose correlation based on
If this waste management planning is not done in accordance, proximate analysis data will be more profitable. This data is
it will lead to problems such as serious environmental the easiest and most widely used in the characterization of
pollution of water, soil and air. Recently, landfilling is the fuels mainly solid fuel. With reference to the idea that the
waste management practices are generally widely applied in calorific value is proportional to the carbon content and
Indonesia. Given the increasingly limited availability of land hydrogen in the sample, then, HHV is assumed as a function
for landfill location and some environmental problems of the fixed carbon (FC, % by weight) and volatile matter
associated with landfilling processes such as gas emissions (VM, % by weight) in which the main components are carbon
and the resulting leachate, necessary alternatives that in and hydrogen. However, the influence of mineral or ash is
addition to reducing the land for landfilling, waste to energy is also often considered in correlation.
one of them. This is important, because basically waste is
entropy or energy that is not utilized.

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There are various correlation models that have been C. Developments of Models
developed previously to prediction gross calorific value The HHV and proximate analysis data were used to
(higher heating value, HHV) of solid fuels including biomass generate multiple linear regression correlations. These
waste from their proximate analysis data [3,4, 5,8,9]. correlations showed the influence of proximate analysis data
However, given the extremely heterogeneous of MSW and on the HHV. Some possible combinations of dependent
their rate of production as well as the physical composition variables (proximate analysis data) that contribute to the
varies between one and the other in accordance with the socio- energy content were developed and evaluated to produce the
economic level, cultural, and climatic conditions, the mathematical models. In general, the correlation was written
characteristics of MSW in one city will be different from the as follows.
other city. Therefore, the suitability assessment of developed
correlations with characteristic MSW in Indonesian were HHV = f(M, A, VM, FC)
needed. Where HHV = Higher heating value (MJ/kg), M =
In Indonesia, especially in Bali, MSW is dominated by moisture content (%), A = ash (%), VM = volatile matter (%),
bioorganic fraction, it is up to 68.78% [10]. Therefore, the and FC = fixed carbon (%).
energy content will be more influenced by these components.
D. Choosing the Best Correlatin
In this, in addition to susceptibility variations on the season, it
is important to determination the calorific value of these To select the most appropriate correlations, determined
components due the possibility of changes in composition based on the coefficient of determination (R2). In this, SPSS
with respect to time as a result of related policies such as 3R 17 was used to calculate the R2. R2 had been widely used in
(reduce, reuse, and recycle) program. statistical and regression analysis which was applied as a
comprehensive parameter for quantifying the accuracy of the
This paper focused on the development of linear correlation. A correlation with higher R2 value indicate better
regression-based correlation to predicting HHV of bioorganic estimate (perfect correlation has a value of R2 = 1). Therefore,
fraction from their proximate analysis data. The accuracy of the models with the high value of R2 were selected for
its predictions compared with developed correlation and data estimating HHV and the results were compared with the data
experiment. obtained from the experiments and previously models were
developed. The models chosen were based on the analysis of
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS the average absolute error (AAE) and average refractive errors
(ABE). Both of these parameters were expressed by the
A. Sample Preparation
following equation:
Bioorganic fraction of MSW samples in this study were
collected from the 2 manually waste sorting facility in Temesi
Gianyar and Bengkala Singaraja landfill. In both location,
sorting facility aims to separate the bioorganic components to
be composted. Sampling was performed in 4 months ie. in
May, June, July, and August on 2011. Total 24 samples were
collected. Samples were taken at some point and mixing it
well to get a suitable representation. Approximately five (5) Where, subscript e and m indicate the estimated value
kg of waste as the sample size taken from the points specified from model (calculation) and from the result of measurement
in the mounds of bioorganic fraction separated. Furthermore, respectively.
it was divided into four equal parts and one quarter of its parts
was taken and dried under sun for 1-2 days before The average absolute error indicates the average
characterization were conducted. correlation error. The lower average absolute error mean
correlation error is smaller and vice versa. The average bias
B. Sample Characterization error indicates the average bias error correlation. A positive
Sample characterization included the determination of the value of average bias error implies estimation goes beyond
HHV and their proximate analysis (moisture content, volatile measurement, while a negative value indicates an overall
matter, ash, and fixed carbon). Sample preparation prior to the estimate below the measurement results. The lower value of
characterization performed referring to [11]. This procedure average absolute error show average bias error of the
requires that samples be used in the form of small pieces up to correlation is also lower. Those parameters were fundamental
a maximum size of 2.5 cm. The water content was determined statistical criteria which were used widely in the error analysis
by the standard [12], volatile matter was determined by the and also had been used to assess the correlation value of
standard [13], ash content was determined by the standard empirical model [3-4]. Therefore, these parameters were also
[14], and a fixed carbon content was calculated by difference adopted in this paper as an evaluation of the model
with reference to [15]. The HHV was determined based on the parameters.
standard [16] by using Bomb Calorimeter. All these laboratory
testing were carried out in the Laboratory of Mineral and Coal However, it was important to note here that the correlation
Technology Bandung. that had been published only valid for the fuel from which the
equation were derived. Therefore, the comparison was done
solely for the academic concern. In comparing the correlations
generated in this study with the already existing, the seven
equations had been selected from the literature as shown in
Table 1.

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Table 1. Empirical correlations between HHV and Analysis Proximate Data from Other Authors
References Model Unity of HHV
[17] HHV =10,81408 + 0,3133 (VM + FC) MJ/kg
[3] HHV=19,914-0,2324 A MJ/kg
[3] HHV=-3,0368+0,2218VM+0,2601FC MJ/kg
[18] HHV=0,196FC+14,119 MJ/kg
[8] HHV=0,312FC+0,1534VM MJ/kg
[9] HHV=0,3543FC+0,1708VM MJ/kg

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Solid Waste Characteristics
Twenty two of the twenty four collected data were used to relatively low because it were dried prior to analysis in the
generate empirical correlation which showing the influence of laboratory. The experimental heating values vary from 14,53
proximate analysis data to the calorific value. The two other to 17,07MJ/kg and with average 15.96 MJ/kg in dry basis.
data released after normalization test. Table 2 shows the This result is not much different from the characteristics of
characteristics data bioorganic fraction of MSW in area study. waste in Bhopal India as reported by [19]. In [19] were
Volatile matter is the main composition at a range 64.95 to reported that MSM in Bhopal, containing an average of
74.58% and with the average 69.41%, followed by ash at a 64.82% volatile matter, 21,7 % ash, and 13.21% fixed carbon
range 10.44 to 16.79% and with the average 13.50%, fixed in dry basis, and the average moisture content is 28.1%. On
carbon at a range 14.74 to 19.47% and with the average average the HHV of waste, it was reported about 2200 to
17.09% in dray basis, and moisture content at a range 9.13 to 2400 kcal/kg or 9.2 to 10.08 MJ/kg in wet basis (12.80 to
12.23% and with the average 10.43%. The water content is 14.02 MJ/kg in dry basis).

Table 2. Proximate Analysis Data and Calorific Value Bioorganic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste
Proximate Data (%)
HHV
No Sample Moisture Volatile Fixed
Ash MJ/kg
Content Matter Carbon
1 11.95 17.31 64.95 17.74 15.42
2 11.87 13.04 70.41 16.56 16.64
3 12.23 13.93 66.90 18.32 15.80
4 10.67 11.94 70.57 18.27 17.00
5 11.20 13.81 68.18 18.02 15.77
6 11.59 14.08 70.09 15.82 15.82
7 11.37 15.30 67.30 17.40 15.43
8 11.08 13.34 68.76 17.90 15.92
9 11.78 12.64 69.74 17.63 15.90
10 10.82 16.79 66.56 16.65 15.19
11 9.43 10.44 74.58 14.97 15.76
12 9.51 13.38 71.59 15.03 15.26
13 10.53 16.53 68.10 15.37 14.53
14 9.13 14.50 68.25 17.24 15.27
15 9.58 12.38 70.66 16.97 15.58
16 9.51 12.95 72.31 14.74 15.56
17 9.49 11.78 72.19 16.03 16.80
18 9.59 10.85 71.41 17.74 17.07
19 9.36 13.43 68.51 18.06 16.60
20 9.43 13.54 68.16 18.31 16.52
21 9.62 13.47 68.81 17.73 16.48
22 9.66 11.55 68.98 19.47 16.92
Average 10.43 13.50 69.41 17.09 15.96

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HHV as a function of moisture content, ash, volatile matter,

B. Model Developed and fixed carbon (Figure 1). It is intended to demonstrate
Although, collecting the proximate analysis data of solid quantitatively the correlation between HHV with each
fuels is relatively easy but, not many researchers developed proximate analysis data. Obviously, the tendency can be seen
correlation models between calorific value and proximate in Figure 1a and 1b that HHV down with increasing moisture
analysis data. In this paper, at first, simple correlation with the content and ash in bioorganic fraction of MSW. This result is
emphasis on the correlation between calorific value with each consistent with the observations were done by [3, 20].
proximate analysis data were focused. It was done by plotting

Figure 1a. Plot between HHV and Moisture Content Figure 1b Plot between HHV and Ash Content

Figure 1c. Plot Between HHV and Volatile Matter Figure 1d. Plot Between HHV and Fixed Carbon

Figure 1. Plot Between HHV and Proximate Analysis Data

The moisture content of the solid fuel is highly dependent (0.04) the coefficient of determination between HHV
on the drying process and the drying process is an integral part calculated and experimental results. Therefore, in an effort to
in the utilization of biomass fuels. Thus, the moisture content eliminate the influence of water content on the determination
is less precise represented in the equation because it depends of the calorific value, the variable M is not represented in the
on the preparation process, so it can vary widely. It is directly correlation in a model of multiple linear regression analysis-
affected by physical and chemical properties of material based correlation.
which enable it to absorb the exiting water in the environment.
Therefore, by using mathematical models the involvement of As the moisture content, the ash also contributes
the moisture content can result in a significant error in the negatively to HHV (Figure 1b). It means, the higher of ash
determination of calorific values. This explanation is content in the fuel, the energy content will be lower. Unlike
confirmed that taking into account the moisture content in the the case with the moisture content, ash can be applied to
sample, giving a weak correlation to the calorific value estimate HHV due it is the characteristics of a specific solid
(Figure 1a). Equation (1) in Table 3 shown also very small fuel. However, the correlation between calculated HHV with

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the experiment results as shown by equation (2) is also

relatively small (Table 3).
Table 3. The Performance of Developed Equations in This and Previous Study
Error Analysis
No. Researchers Models R2
AAE ABE
(1) This Study HHV = -0.125M+17.251 0.04 3.00 0.00
(2) This Study HHV=19.440-0.258A 0.46 3.00 0.00
(3) This Study HHV=2.467+0.196VM 0.26 4.00 1.00
(4) This Study HHV=9.355+0.380FC 0.23 3.00 -1.00
(5) This Study HHV=-9.509+0.259(VM+FC) 0.56 19.00 -19.00
(6) This Study HHV=-30.727+0.459VM+0.716FC 0.67 16.00 -16.00
(7) This Study HHV = 0.192A+0.459VM+0.716FC-30.727 0.69 2.00 0.00
(8) This Study HHV=0.185A+0.467VM+0.712FC+0.056M-31.723 0.69 2.00 0.00
(9) This Study HHV = 0.226A+0.519(VM+FC)-31.916 0.59 3.00 0.00
(10) [17] HHV =10,81408 + 0,3133 (VM + FC) 0.30 137.8 137.8
(11) [3] HHV=19,914-0,2324 A 0.978 5.01 5.01
(12) [3] HHV=-3,0368+0,2218VM+0,2601FC 0.399 43.5 43.50
(13) [18] HHV=0,196FC+14,119 0.822 9.60 9.06
(14) [8] HHV=0,312FC+0,1534VM 0.623 2.40 0.20
(15) [9] HHV=0,3543FC+0,1708VM 0.628 12.30 12.30
Note : HHV in MJ/kg

The relationship between HHV to fixed carbon and To compare the models performance (eq. (7) and (8)) with
volatile matter also gives no significant coefficient of models were developed by previous researchers, data
determination between HHV calculation results and the collected in this study were applied to the models and the
experimental respectively 0.23 and 0.26 for equation (3) and results are presented in Table 3 (eq. (10) to (15)). When
(4) as shown in Table 3. However, both are contributing viewed on their statistically performance, only equation (11)
positively to the HHV (Figure 1c and d). Given the lack of was developed by [3] showed a strong correlation between the
correlation between HHV with water content, ash, volatile results of calculations with experiments. In addition the error
matter and fixed carbon separately or in simple linear level is about 5%.
regression relationship, various combinations of these
variables (except moisture) were used to estimate HHV IV. CONCLUSIONS
through multiple linear regression.
Based on the fuel characteristics the bioorganic fraction of
Based on the consideration that the ash in a dry basis is the MSW in area study, the volatile matter is the main
residue of volatile matter and fixed carbon (100-VM-FC) then, composition with the average 69.41%, followed by ash with
previous researchers have proposed an equation to correlate the average 13.50%, fixed carbon with the average 17.09%,
HHV with VM and FC or the number of VM and FC content and moisture content with the average 10.43%, while, the
as shown in Table 1. In this paper, the relationship is also used experimental heating values with average 15.96 MJ/kg. In the
to develop the correlation (Eq. (1) up to (9)). The coefficient literature, there were a few empirical correlations to estimate
of determination, average absolute error, and average bias HHV of bioorganic fraction of municipal solid waste from
error of each equation are presented in Table 3. their proximate analysis data. However, assuming that the
C. Models Performance Assessment equations are only valid for the data from which is derived, the
Table 3 confirmed that the equation (5) to (9) which new correlations between HHV with volatile matter, fixed
developed in this study showed a stronger correlation between carbon, and ash from bioorganic component were developed
calculated HHV and the experimental results compared to in this study. Accuracy of the models developed and available
equation (1) to (5). Among them there are three equations with in the literature were evaluated statistically using proximate
R2 values of more than 0.6, namely the equation (6), (7) and analysis data collected in this study. Two of the nine
(8). Based on the error analysis, the equation (6) showed a correlations were developed in this study showed a good
tendency to underestimation while equation (7) and (8) shows performance that HHV = 0.192A + 0.459VM + 0.716FC -
the tendency of overestimation, as can be seen from the 30.727 and HHV = 0.185A + 0.467VM + 0.712FC + 0.056M
average value of bias errors in a negative and positive sign. In - 31.723 which have the highest accuracy compared to other
addition, both the value of AAE and ABE from equation (6) models have been developed including those from previous
exceeding 5%. The measurement values and HHV calculated studies. However, due R2 << 1 then, there are the effect of
results from equation (7) and (8) almost the same on all variation in the MSW. The main advantage of this correlation
sample. These are indicated by the value of their AAE and is only based on the proximate analysis data that besides fast
ABE less than 5%. Based on this fact (the value of R2, AAE, in provision, more easy and economic than ultimate analysis
and ABE), two correlation (eq. (7) and (8)) resulting from this data.
study were selected.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work has been performed with contributions from
Directorate General of Higher Education Ministry of
Research, Republic of Indonesia and Research Institute of
Ganesha University of Education.
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