Design of MSW Collection Systems through Peak Generation Coefficients: a Methodological Proposal for Developing Countries

摘要

This paper shows a methodological proposal for developing countries to design pre-collection (containers) and collection (collection trucks) systems of municipal solid waste (MSW) considering the temporal variation in quantities generated and collected from waste. This temporal variation has been included using three peak coefficients of MSW generation: weekly peak generation coefficient, daily peak generation coefficient, and daily peak coefficient of heterogeneous distribution in MSW generation (Dpch). The MSW amount collected varies in relation to the collection frequency and distribution of this throughout the week. Thus, Dpch coefficient increases as the MSW collection frequency decreases during the week. Its increase is because the containers will stay longer without being emptied at the MSW presentation points. This consideration in the temporal variation of MSW generation allows reasonable designs to be adjusted to the maximum collection rates, so that no waste is left outside the MSW presentation points. Expressions that include peak generation coefficients for calculating MSW generation can only be used to design pre-collection and collection systems. These design expressions do not represent an estimate of the average daily generation of MSW in a locality. Finally, the methodological proposal can be used for selection of the MSW management equipment in developing countries.