Undergraduate Research Symposium on Environmental Conservation and Management (URS-ENCM)
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Item E-Waste management in selected institutions in Colombo and Gampaha Districts(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Athukorala, S.M.W.; Handapangoda, H.M.A.K.; Yatawara, M.D.M.D.W.M.M.K.Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the most rapidly growing environmental problems in the world including Sri Lanka. This preliminary study was carried out to identify the attempts of e-waste management in selected institutions in Colombo and Gampaha districts. A questionnaire survey followed by interviews was carried out among randomly selected 20 institutions in Colombo and Gampaha districts. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze data. Results revealed that about 55% of respondents reuse their e-waste and 15% of respondents continue recycling the discarded e-waste. Most respondents (95%) has knowledge on e-waste and the effects of unsafe disposal. In addition, 60% of respondents were not aware of any projects or activities on e-waste management by government and local authorities. However, most of the types of electronic devices that are used by these institutions were more or less similar. Further, the survey revealed that the respondents showed willingness to contribute to e-waste management and willingness to pay or willingness to accept for a green product which will not harm the health of human and the environment. The study suggests to conduct proper awareness programmes to the employees in the institutions on handing over, disposal and management of e-waste. In addition, proper monitoring programmes of recycling or disposal is utmost important as e-waste contains a substantial amount of valuable recyclable materials and has potential to become a lucrative business in the country.Item Moisture reduction in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) by parabolic solar dish method(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Heshani, A.L.S.; Abeysinghe, A.M.M.S.M.; Handapangoda, H.M.A.K.The moisture content of MSW in tropical countries is higher when compared with temperate countries due to the climate (hot and humid weather with abundant rainfalls), compositions and types of waste generated. The moisture adversely affects the waste to energy conversion process as the process consumes more energy to evaporate moisture from MSW. Therefore, waste to energy concept receives less attention in MSW treatments, especially in tropical region. However, reduction of moisture of MSW would be beneficial to convert waste into thermal energy effectively and efficiently. Use of solar energy is a widely-practiced strategy to reduce moisture content in many materials. In this concept, the present paper suggests a method to reduce moisture in MSW by utilizing solar energy. Objective of this study is Develop a Model for Moisture Reduction of MSW by using solar energy. The parabolic solar-energy concentration method is applied to convert solar energy into thermal energy. The method is used as a principle of solid waste moisture reduction instrument. Three major components can be identified in the instrument, namely shredder, parabolic dish and compacter. Purpose of shredder is to reduce the size of waste that enables the entry to parabolic center pipes. As well, it increases the surface region of waste to evaporate water vapor without difficulty. The parabolic dish consists with parabolic dish, solar radiation center with hot air fans and waste flow pipes. Concentrated solar energy is centralized by using parabolic dish. Then solar energy is converted into thermal energy when focus onto the counter and exhausted, hot air fan generate Dry Air flow with higher temperature, because of the properties of air flow, it reduces humidity and thereby decrease of moisture content is accelerated. Temperature of dry air flow in center level is higher than boiling point of water (T >100oC), and this high temperature conditions generated from concentrated direct solar energy to center level and heating element converts solar energy into heat through the process of Joule heating, flow passing through this heating element resulting in heating of the air. Contact time of air flow with waste stream depend on moisture reduction of waste. Also, the continuous solid waste stream is transferred through the pipes and speed of flow depends on the decrease rate of moisture content at a center level. Solar electrical energy is used to operate this instrument. This scheme is fully automated and electronic detectors are applied to measure temperature, moisture content. After reducing the moisture content in solid waste, it can be compressed and used to produce pellets. This resultant pellets can be used as fuel. Besides, it can be applied as ecofriendly bricks by mixing with strong solidified materials. In addition, no greenhouse gas emission is expected during the operation. Optimal instrument size depend on the Size of parabolic dish that displays quantity of solar energy concentrated to center point. As most of the industries have to spend a considerable amount of money on reducing the moisture content in the final disposal; especially in the Sri Lankan case, the waste generated is sent to a monopoly holder for further treatment. If industries can use this method as a preprocessing method to reduce moisture content in semi-solid or solid waste, it would reduce a significant cost. The proposed system is controlled according to a computerized system within specified limits. However, further development is needed to overcome bottlenecks and gaps in the system.Item Developing a rapid composting machinery system using Berkeley method(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Handapangoda, H.M.A.K.Municipal solid waste generation and management in most cities especially in developing countries have emerged as one of the stubborn environmental problems at present. This scenario could be attributed to low level of technology as it is not sophisticated and not sufficient to deal with the excessive quantity of waste generation. Recognizing those noteworthy amounts of organic waste fraction of MSW in developing nations like Sri Lanka, there ought to make necessary feasible fitting systems to convert this huge amount into a resource. Composting, one of the environmentally feasible methods that convert organic waste into useful materials brings several drawbacks. This paper suggests a system with computerized automated machineries with the aim of increasing the rate of composting in a comparatively short time period. Berkeley method composting is taken as the principle for this system. The system consists with a shredder, a pill rotator (mixer), an air flow controller, and moisture and temperature controllers. The system is a closed system that implements favorable conditions for the composting process. Air flow, moisture level and temperature can also be controlled in the system. Purpose of shredder is to reduce the size of waste that further facilitate fast composting. Humidity and temperature sensors are used to keep compost pill in optimal level of conditions. Pill rotator (mixer) is rotated periodically in a given time period to facilitate proper mixing to pill. In addition, shredder size, pill rotating time, air supply and moisture and temperature can be changed on waste composition. Advancement of this method is to convert organic materials into usable form in short time period with less space and labor requirement. Energy requirement for the operation process can be generated by solar power is another added advantage of the method. However, further development is needed to overcome bottlenecks and gaps of the system.