Energy Recovery From Mixed Waste Paper

Abstract

The chief characteristic that determines the quantity of energy recoverable from the combustion of mixed waste paper (MWP) is the thermal energy of the material as measured by a bomb calorimeter. Mixed waste paper can be divided into 11 groups, according to the qualities of the paper, such as newspaper, boxboard, white office paper, coloured office paper, envelopes, treated paper (NCR), beverage and milk boxes, glossy paper, kraft, cardboard, and tissue. Individual thermal energies per weight of these groups (components of mixed waste paper) and mixed waste paper itself are determined separately and ranges established for their thermal energies. Using individual thermal energies of mixed waste paper components, the thermal energy of a typical sample of mixed waste paper is estimated. Based on this work it is concluded that it is possible to estimate the quantity of energy recoverable from a known amount and composition of mixed waste paper by separating the sample into its components and using the weight fraction and individual thermal energies of each component.