Application of Bond Theory to Solid Waste Shredding

The applicability of the Rosin-Rammler relationship for describing the size distribution of raw and shredded municipal solid waste has been examined using data taken from 10 full-scale shredders representative of those used for solid waste size reduction. The shredded product size thus described has been related to the specific energy necessary to produce that product by application of the Bond comminution theory developed for use in the minerals processing industry. The consistency in magnitude of the Bond work indices determined for the 10 representative full-scale shredders would seem to confirm the applicability of the Bond theory to the size reduction of municipal solid waste. Batch shredding tests for paper, glass, flattened steel cans, and whole aluminum beverage cans, using a Heil model 42D 250-hp vertical hammermill (fitted with a recording ammeter for current measurement) permitted the estimation of work indices for these respective solid waste components and provided further verification of the theory.