1ST INTERNATIONAL BRAINSTORMING

WORKSHOP ON

WASTE TO ENERGY IN INDIA

Organized under the CSIRs mission of Wealth from Waste by the
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National
Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) in
association with Earth Engineering Centre, Columbia University,
New York

24-25th August 2012, Nehru Centre, Hall of Harmony

Worli, Mumbai, India

OUTCOMES
OF THE
EVENT

Outcomes of 1st International Brainstorming workshop on Waste

to Energy in India
The 1st International Brainstorming workshop on Waste to Energy in India was held at Nehru
Centre, Mumbai on 24th and 25th August, 2012. This event was organized under the CSIRs mission of
Wealth from Waste by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental
Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) in association with Earth Engineering Centre, Columbia
University, New York. Other collaborating organizations were the Ministry of Forests and Environment
(MoEF), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Municipal corporations of different cities.
The main sponsor of the workshop was M/S Hitachi Zosen INOVA (Hitz) and other sponsors included
GIZ, New Delhi; M/S Ramky Environ Engineers, Hyderabad; M/S Hanjer Biotech Energies Ltd,
M/S Tiedffel McClelland Waste to Energy Pvt. Ltd. (Indo-Swiss JV Co.), Mumbai; M/S Unity Infra
projects Ltd, Mumbai; M/S EcoFil, Mumbai; Maharashtra Pollution Control Board; West Bengal
Pollution Control Board and M/S Jacob Stiefel GMBH, Mumbai.

This workshop was organized to discuss the existing waste management system in India and abroad in
general with a focus on waste to energy opportunities in India. It was attended by 238 delegates who are
working in the research and development in waste management sector. Scientists, young researchers,
service providers and entrepreneurs from different parts of world like USA, China, Thailand, Mauritius,
Germany, Hong Kong and India attended this brainstorming workshop. The workshop was divided into
three sessions viz., inauguration, invited lectures and different technical sessions. Invited lectures were on
different themes highlighted in Figure 1.

1st International Brainstorming Session Workshop on

Waste to Energy in India

Inauguration Ceremony

Invited Lectures
Regulatory and Policy Issues
Process Modeling
Waste to Energy: Experience in Corporate sector
Energy Recovery and Technological Issues
Biological Process
Process Modeling and Review of WTE
WTE Experience in Industrial Sector

Figure 1: Details of Various Themes of the Workshop

Inauguration Ceremony
Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chief Scientist and Head, NEERI, Mumbai Zonal Laboratory (MuZL), Dr.
Sukumar Devotta, Former Director, NEERI and Chairman, SEAC, Maharashtra, Mr. R. A. Rajeev,
IAS, Commissioner, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), Prof. Ashok Pandey, Head, Centre for
Biofuels & Biotechnologies Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and
Technology and Editor In-chief, Bioresource Technology, Prof. Gunter Busch, Brandenburg University,
Germany and Dr. Sunil Kumar, Scientist, CSIR-NEERI, Kolkata were present for the inauguration
session. This is highlighted in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Inauguration Session

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Rakesh Kumar (Figure 3). He briefed the delegates and
participants about the theme of workshop. He spoke about the history of waste management in India and
how management of municipal solid waste was neglected over the years when compared to other kinds of
wastes. He also highlighted different prospects of waste management in India in terms of existing
management practices, its challenges, policy issues, technological options and opportunities in terms of
waste to energy.

Figure 3: Dr. Rakesh Kumar delivering his Introductory Speech

Thereafter, distinguished speaker Dr. Sukumar Devotta (Figure 4)shared his comparative
knowledge of waste to energy from developed countries and how it could be implemented in developing
countries along with comparison of hazardous and MSW management systems in India. He also

highlighted the importance of mechanical, biological and other relevant treatment technologies for waste.
He concluded his speech by providing feedback on current Solid Waste Management and Handling Rules,
2000 and need for its amendment.

Figure 4: Dr. Sukumar Devotta delivering Distinguished Speech

Then, Guest of Honor, Mr. R. A. Rajeev, IAS (Figure 5), shared his experience about the
management practices opted by TMC and the various challenges faced by them in its implementation. He
stressed on the fact that there is an urgent need to bridge the gap between existing management practices
and motivated municipalities and municipal corporations in India for implementation of effective
sustainable waste management in which Waste to Energy along with sanitary landfills should be an
integral part.

Figure 5: Mr. R.A. Rajeev delivering Speech as a Guest of Honour

Thereafter, Prof. Ashok Pandey (Figure 6), expressed his views on the objectives of this
international workshop. The main focus of his speech was the understanding of available technological
options for waste to energy in India. He mentioned that developing technologies to treat mixed solid
wastes are collected in most parts of India to be very challenging. Subsequently, he highlighted the need
for source separation and technological options for the same. He concluded his talk urging for the
enhancement of capacity building at national and local levels with guidance from international
communities, interaction amongst experts, industries and municipal personnel on state of the art
technology and solid waste management system. He pointed out there should be an appropriate
technology for using waste as a resource.

Figure 6: Dr. Ashok Pandey delivering his Inaugural Speech

In the absence of Prof. Nickolas Themelis, Director, Earth Engineering Centre, Columbia
University, USA, Prof. Gunter Busch (Figure 7), Brandenburg University, Germany was the Chief
Guest. He shared the knowledge of existing technologies from Germany and other European countries
with their advantages and disadvantages in terms of economical and social aspects. He also suggested
some relevant small-scale technologies which may be suitable for Indian climatic conditions keeping in
view the per capita generation and the physical composition of solid waste.

Figure 7: Prof. Gunter Busch Addressing the Audience as the Chief Guest
Finally, the inaugural session was concluded by Vote of thanks by Dr. Sunil Kumar (Figure 8),
Scientist, CSIR-NEERI, Kolkata and Head, WTERT, India.

Figure 8: Dr. Sunil Kumar Proposing Vote of Thanks

Thereafter, invited lectures were delivered under different sessions. It began with Regulatory and
Policy Issues followed by Process Modeling and Waste to Energy: Experiences in Corporate Sector.

Regulatory and Policy issues, Process Modeling and Waste to Energy: Experiences in Corporate
Sector

Regulatory and policy issues for India were discussed by Er. Ranjith Aneepu, Columbia
University; Prof. R. C. Sinha, Former Chairman, Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna and
Chairman, SEIAA, Bihar; Er. Asit Nema, Foundation for Greentech Environment Systems, New Delhi;
Prof Jay N Meegoda, Director, New Jersey Institute of Technology, New York, USA; and Mr. K.
Sreenivasa Rao, Head of Business Development, M/s Hitachi Zosen India Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad, India. It
is indicated in Figure 9.

Invited Lectures

Regulatory and Policy Issues

Process Modeling

Mr. Ranjith Aneepu,

Columbia University

Waste to Energy: Experiences in Corporate

Sector

Prof Jay N. Meegoda,

New Jersey

Mr. K. Sreenivasa Rao, M/s. Hiotachi

Zosen India Pvt. Ltd.

Prof R. C Sinha, Former Chairman,

Bihar State Pollution Control Board,
Patna
Er. Asit Nema, Founder of
Greentech Environment Systems,
New Delhi

Figure 9: Details of Speakers under the Category of Invited Lectures

Mr. Ranjith Aneepu spoke about the current waste disposal practices and opportunities ahead in
terms of waste to energy projects, research and development.

He discussed how rapidly Indian cities are growing and highlighted the urgency for proper solid
waste management in India to provide better health and enhance the quality of life of urban populations.
He presented the Hierarchy of Sustainable Waste Management and ended his talk pinpointing that the
local and national governments should act according to short, medium and long term priorities. Thereafter
Prof. R. C. Sinha, highlighted the role of Government in solid waste management and its handling. He
highlighted features of solid waste management policy options. Er. Asit Nema, gave a talk on sustainable
technology options and urban solid waste management systems in India. In his speech, there was special
attention to rag pickers and Indian culture. He elaborately discussed earlier waste management failures in
India with numerous examples and the lessons we can learn from them. Then, Prof Jay N Meegoda

sketched a model for anaerobic degradation in Biocell Landfills which is essential for existing landfill
sites. Finally, Mr. K. Sreenivasa Rao shared his experience on waste to energy from the corporate sector
perspective through their ongoing project activities. He highlighted the existing projects implemented by
M/s Hitachi Zosen India Pvt. Ltd. across the world. He also focused on opportunities in India for
incineration of waste to generate energy. After the completion of invited lectures, the technical session
started.

Session I (Part I): Energy Recovery and Technical issues

This part was chaired by Prof. Jonathan W. C. Wong, Director, Hong Kong Organic Resource
Centre and Co-chaired by Er. Ackmez Mudhoo, Lecturer, Dept of Chemical and Environmental Eng.,
University of Mauritius. Names of different speakers are summarized in Figure 10.

Session I: Energy Recovery and Technological Issues

PART II

PART
Chair: Prof.IJonathan W. C. Wong

Chair: Prof. Somnath Mukherjee

Co-Chair: Er. Ackmez Mudhoo

Co-Chair: Prof. N. S. Maurya

Planery
Lecture
Prof. Bo-Lun
Kang

Paper
presentation
Dr. N S. Maurya
Mr. M. Lenin
babu
Dr. (Mrs.) Sourja
Ghosh
Dr. Anurag Garg

Planery
Lecture
Prof. J. W. C.
Wong
Prof. M .Vikram
Reddy

Dr. S. V. Srinivasan
Mr. Paul Jacobs

Paper
presenta
tion
Mr. Ackmez
Mudhoo
Ms. G. Velvizhi
Dr. S. V. Srinivasan

Mr. Soumya
Pandit
Mr. Devendra
Goyal

Figure 10: Details of Speaker of Session I

The planetary lecture of the Part I was delivered by Prof. Bo-Lun Kang, Vice Dean of School of
Energy and Power Engineering, Xian Jiaotong University, China. He mainly spoke on biodiesel and its
usage. He gave few case studies of China and Hong Kong. Thereafter, paper presentations were made by
the various participants. Among papers, Dr. Nityanand Singh Maurya, presented his work on bio-waste

management and energy recovery in villages of India. Then, Mr. Lenin Babu presented his case study on
biohydrogen production through anoxic microenvironment. In his study, he compared his results with
anaerobic process. Then, Dr. (Mrs.) Sourja Ghosh highlighted biodiesel production from algal biomass.
Then, Anurag Garg spoke on mechanical and biological treatment options for MSW. Thereafter, Dr. S.
V. Srinivasan highlighted his research work on energy recovery from vegetable waste through anaerobic
process. Finally, Mr. Paul Jacob presented an overview of waste to energy in Thailand.

Session I (Part II): Energy Recovery and Technical issues

Part two of Session I was chaired by Prof. Somnath Mukherjee, Dept of Civil Eng., Jadavpur
Univ, Kolkata and Co-chaired by Dr. N. S. Maurya, NIT, Patna. In this part, there were two plenary
lectures. One was delivered by Prof. Jonathan W. C. Wong on current status and future prospects of two
phase anaerobic digestion. The second plenary lecture was delivered by Prof. M. Vikram Reddy, Senior
Professor, Ecology and Environment Science Department, Pondicherry University on potential of nonconventional energy from MSW. Thereafter, Er. Ackmez Mudhoo presented his paper on anaerobic
digestion of waste and discussed on the preliminary waste-to-biogas model his research team are
developing to cater for the needs of a wide spectrum of wastes for industrial application after
customization. Then, Ms. G. Velvizhi highlighted her work on power generation from microbial cell fuel.
Again, Dr. S. V. Srinivasan spoke on energy recovery options from tannery waste. Thereafter, Mr.
Soumya Pandit presented his case studies on effect of 3D anode and organic load on bioelectricity
generation. Finally, Mr. Devendra Goyal gave a strategy about zero-tolerance for MSW. This ended the
first day of the event.

Session II (Part I): Biological Processes

The second day began with Session II (Part I) on biological process. This part was chaired by Dr.
A. D Sawant, Former Vice Chancellor, Rajasthan University and Co-Chaired by Dr. V. K. Garg,
Associate Professor, Guru Jambheswar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, India. The details of
speakers are given in Figure 11.

Session II: Biological Process

PART II

PART
Chair: Dr.I A. D. Sawant

Chair: Dr. A. N. Vaidya

Co-Chair: Dr. V. K. Garg

Co-Chair: Er. Asit Nema

Planery Lecture Paper

presentation
Prof. Gunter
Dr. Sutripta Sarkar
Busch
Ms. S. R. Ankram

Planery Lecture Paper

presentation
Mr. Ackmez
Dr. (Mrs.)
Mudhoo
Regina Dube
Dr. V. K. Garg
Dr. Irfan
Dr. Manjeet
Furniturewala
Banswal
Dr. L. C. Mushan

Mr. Mahesh Khot

Mr. Manu Agarwal
Ms. K.V. Padoley

Figure 11: Details of Speakers of Session II

Dr. Prince William

Ms. Papiya Mandal
Mr. Anurag Gupta

The plenary lecture was delivered by Prof. Gunter Busch on double-stage process for treatment
of biogenic fraction of MSW. Then, Dr. (Mrs.) Sutripta Sarkar highlighted about her work on bioenergy production using Geobacillus species while Mrs. S. R. Ankaram presented on vermicomposting
for treatment of weeds. Mr. Mahesh Khot spoke on management of agro waste. Mr. Manu Agarwal
spoke on pyrolysis process for treatment of waste and producing value added products. Dr. S.N. Mudliar
spoke on biogas generation from effluent.

Session II (Part II): Biological Processes

Part two of Session II was chaired by Dr. A. N. Vaidya, Sr. Principal Scientist, NEERI, Nagpur
and co-chaired by Er. Asit Nema. The first plenary lecture was delivered by Mrs. Regina Dube,
Director, Environment Programme, GIZ, New Delhi. She mainly focused on incineration option for
treatment of MSW. She presented different case studies for solid waste management through incineration
projects in European countries. A second plenary lecture was delivered by Dr. Irfan Furniturewala,
Promoter, Hanjer Biotech Energies Pvt. Ltd. (HBEPL). He showed a film on solid waste management
strategies adopted by HBEPL and perfected in India. He also described how composting technology has
been operating in different climatic zones in India for treatment of biodegradable waste. Then, Er.

Ackmez Mudhoo highlighted his case study on the effects of Cu2+, total solids and autoclaving on the
anaerobic digestion of vegetable wastes using biochemical methane potential assays. Dr. V.K. Garg
presented a paper on nutrient recycling using earthworms. He elaborately discussed vermin composting
for organic wastes and detailed its strengths and weaknesses and how the weaknesses can be addressed.
Dr. (Mrs.) L. C. Mushan highlighted a case study on MSW management using exotic species of
earthworms. Dr. Manjeet Bansal presented his work completed on the removal of heavy metals using
the biosorption technique.

Dr. S. P. M Prince William shared his experience with lysimeter studies.

Mrs. Papiya Mandal shared her case study on rapid composting of urban solid waste. Mr. Anurag
Gupta, Sanjali Jain and Purvee Chauhan provided a strategic model for solid waste management in
urban areas.

Session III: Process Modeling and Review of WTE technologies

Session III was on Process Modeling and Review of WTE technologies and it was chaired by
Prof. Gunter Busch, and co-chaired by Dr. Dieter Mutz, Director, GIZ, New Delhi. The details of
speakers and other lecturer are given in Figure 12.

Session III: Process Modeling and Review of wte technologies

Chair: Prof. Gunter Busch
Co-Chair: Dr. Dieter Mutz

Paper
Planery
presentation
Lecture
Dr. Munish Kumar Chandel
Dr. H. N. Chanakya
Mr. Avick Sil
Mr. Monojit Chakraborty

Figure 12: Details of Speakers of Session III

Plenary lecture was delivered by Dr. Hoysala N. Chanakya, Principal Res. Sci., IISc, Bangalore.
He highlighted about small-scale options for MSW and energy options from them. Then, Dr. Munish
Kumar Chandel presented his work on GHG emissions from different waste management practices.
Thereafter, Mr. Avick Sil presented a case study about formulating LandGEM model as per Indian

scenario for estimating landfill gas emissions from open dumping sites. Mr. Monojit Chakraborty
spoke on energy option from waste in Delhi.

Session IV: WTE experience in industrial sector

This session was chaired by Prof. V. Sethi, Professor, IIT, Mumbai and co-chaired by Dr. C. R.
Rao. The details of speakers are given in Figure 13.

Figure 13: Details of Speakers of Session IV

First plenary lecture was delivered by Dr. Dieter Mutz on management of MSW mixed with
cement waste. A second plenary lecture was delivered by Mr. D. B. S. S. R. Sastry, Ramky Enviro
Engineers Ltd. He presented a framework to overcome the barriers in business opportunities in India for
WTE plants. Ms. Rashmi Chandra presented her paper on bioaugmentation of photosynthetic bacteria.
Finally, this session was concluded with presentation of Mr. Soumya Pandit/ Prof. M Ghanghrekar on
wastewater treatment with production of bioelectricity.

There were also poster presentations from various budding researchers from India.

Panel Discussion and Concluding Remarks

The two-day International workshop concluded with panel discussions about the current
challenges in WTE projects in India and the future opportunities. The members of the panel discussions
are given in Figure 14.

Panel Discussion and Concluding remarks

Panel host: Ranjith Annepu
Panelist

Prof. Gunter
Busch

Dr. Dieter
Mutz

Dr. H. N.
Chanakya

Prof. Ashok
Pandey

Prof. V. Sethi

Mr. Sreenivasa Rao

Figure 14: Details of Panelists

It was anchored by Mr. Ranjith Aneepu and moderated by Dr.Rakesh Kumar. The panelists
were Prof. Gunter Busch, Dr. Dieter Mutz, Dr. Hoysala N. Chanakya, Prof Ashok Pandey, Prof. V.
Sethi and Mr. K. Srreenivas Rao.

THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKSHOP WERE:

The multiple levels of sharing of knowledge within India and also from other countries, set of
recommendations emerged. Though some of the issues could not be led to consensus, however, the need
to move ahead and move decisively and distinctly was clearly spelt out.

The status of MSW management in India has not improved substantially despite enormous
finding from JNNURM and other governmental grants. Smaller cities conditions are even more of
concern.

The MSW Management and Handling Rules need reform. Some of these need to emerge from the
areas of collection and transportation as a first step. Of the same, segregation needs to be
considered as a key component of the MSW management. In absence of segregation, most of the
downstream efficiencies are not achieved. The treatment/processing technologies have shown
poor results due to mixed waste receipts. The other area of reform is better monitoring of

odorous gases based on scientific rationale. The monitoring protocol based on population needs to
change as the emissions and odour are not linked with the population. In fact, the increasing
population makes it necessary that odour parameters are given more importance.

The technology mix needs to emerge from the characteristics of the waste and not on what
technology is available. The use of Waste to Energy concept must keep the basic principle that
we should burn what is combustible and use biological methods for biodegradables.

It was felt that there is a tremendous scope for the generation of energy from MSW and all the
municipalities must ensure the same. This would benefit the energy starved nations like India.

There should be proper technology assessment throughout the country which must address the
issue of climate (especially rains) and also the scale of the technology. There is a need to redefine
and document technologies applicable for smaller cities, large villages, whereas large metro cities
must address through technologies option of waste to energy, volume reduction and less land
intensive options.

The need was also felt that cities assessment across the country with regard to waste generation
and management needs to be undertaken periodically. The absence of reliable data makes all
MSW management decisions unreliable.

The health burden of poor MSW management started to pile up as number of diseases and its
spread has been seen to have direct correlation with waste management efficiencies.

Awareness must be created among general public and also among technology suppliers and
providers.

There is an urgent need of research and development in this sector, especially in following areas:
Biogas technologies (small scale and large scale); landfills of low-cost for smaller cities, recycle
and reuse benchmarking, combustion technology adaptation based on Indian MSW feedstock etc.

Currently, India is facing problems in terms of solid waste management and energy demand. A
solution must be chalked out in such a way that it becomes a win-win situation both in terms of
solid waste management and energy production.

Planning regarding urban waste management must be chalked out.

One could concentrate on decentralized system for management and treatment of solid waste in
urban cities.

Policies must be framed in such a manner that minimum quantity of solid waste must be disposed
at landfill sites. Since land is a scarce resource, government agencies must concentrate now to
plan for future. Also look at the options of reducing land requirement so that sustainability is very
high.

There should be more participation from regulatory bodies, policy makers through a regular and
proper public consultation.

Benchmarking of different issues regarding MSW management needs to be undertaken which

will address the service level benchmark. This would also help in performance based payment.

Service providers and also technology suppliers within India and also those with tie ups in other
countries are looking forward to transparent communication of policies for cities in terms of
technology use and their benchmark. The uncertainties are very high for new players who come
with technology and wish to undertake projects.

Odor control measures must be highlighted in policy framework and must get reflected as a
guideline without which acceptance of waste facilities would continue to be poor.

Roles and responsibilities of different organizations, public, and rag pickers must be formulated
in policy framework. Informal sector work must be recognized as they are responsible for a
minimum of about 8-10% of waste generated. They not only provide employment but also reduce
burden on the landfills. Their contributions need to be recognized.

The MSW process of decentralized management must also be examined and encouraged as they
prevent accumulation and also creation of a big problem.