Which municipal solid waste component has the greatest typical heating value?

Which municipal solid waste component has the greatest typical heating value?

• A. Cardboard
• B. Food wastes
• C. Plastics
• D. Wood

Answer: (C)

When evaluating the energy content of waste, the key idea is how much energy is released per unit mass during combustion. Materials with high energy density and little moisture yield the highest heating value. Plastics are mainly hydrocarbon-based and contain very little moisture or inert filler, so they release a lot of energy when burned. This makes their typical heating value higher than other common MSW components. Cardboard and wood have organic content as well, but they carry more moisture and oxygen and often have less energy-dense structures, which lowers their heating values compared with plastics. Food wastes usually have substantial moisture and diverse organic content, so their effective heating value is also lower. So, plastics have the greatest typical heating value among the options.

When evaluating the energy content of waste, the key idea is how much energy is released per unit mass during combustion. Materials with high energy density and little moisture yield the highest heating value.

Plastics are mainly hydrocarbon-based and contain very little moisture or inert filler, so they release a lot of energy when burned. This makes their typical heating value higher than other common MSW components.

Cardboard and wood have organic content as well, but they carry more moisture and oxygen and often have less energy-dense structures, which lowers their heating values compared with plastics. Food wastes usually have substantial moisture and diverse organic content, so their effective heating value is also lower.

So, plastics have the greatest typical heating value among the options.