International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 5, Issue 1, January-2014 430 ISSN 2229-5518 IJSER © 2014 http://www.ijser.org Estimation of Moisture Content of Household Solid Waste in Some Selected Areas of Jimeta Town Muhammad Tanko Baba 1 , Alkasim Abubakar 2 and Mohammad Bashir Abdurrahman 3 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State Nigeria muhammadtanko@yahoo.com muhammadtankobaba@gmail.com 2 Department of Physics, Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola, Adamawa State P.M.B. 2076, Yola Adamawa State Nigeria alkasimabbat@gmail.com alkasimabbat@yahoo.com 3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State Nigeria mobash2007@yahoo.com mobash2007@gmail.com Abstract: This study analyses the moisture content of Jimeta metropolis in Adamawa state, Nigeria. The purpose of the study is to assess the amount of moisture present in household solid waste of Jimeta for use in energy generation. The study will assist in promoting the development of technologies to utilize municipal solid waste as energy sources. The study was carried out in order to determine the suitability of the waste in energy production. The study area was classified into three different waste areas according to their income as follows:-(i) Waste area A (High income Area) Comprising 80 unit housing estate, Dougirei housing estate, and Government Reserve Area (GRA) (ii) Waste Area B (Medium income Area) which comprises State Low Cost housing, Nasarawo, and Demsawo (iii) Waste Area C (low income Area) comprising Luggere Quarters, Yelwa Quarters, and Rumde Quarters. The components of the waste and percentage composition were determined by hand sorting process and calculation respectively. The moisture content was determined by drying method using hot air oven set at105℃. The results show that the major portion of municipal solid waste in the areas under study was organic material and the average moisture content was found to be 61.33% indicating that the waste is wet and therefore may not be suitable for energy production. Keywords: Moisture content, Energy, Waste, Organic material, Percentage composition, Organic Material. 1. Introduction Jimeta town falls within the north guinea savannah region and it is both the political and administrative capital of Adamawa State. It is the largest and most populated of the 21 urban centers in the state with an estimated population of 159,779 persons in 1991 to 234,472 in 2006 indicating an annual growth rate of 3.2% [1]. The study area is delimited on the north by latitude 9.2833 o N and in the east by 12.4667 o E and was classified into three waste area types according to high, medium and low income waste Areas called Area A, Area B and Area C respectively on the assumption that there is a significant positive correlation between per capita waste generation and income levels of residents [2]. Waste area A comprised of 80 unit housing estate, Dougirei housing estate, and Government Reserve Area (GRA). Waste area B comprised State Low Cost housing, Nasarawo, and Demsawo quarters. Waste area C comprised of luggere, Yelwa and Rumde quarters. 1.1 Municipal Solid Waste Characteristics and Management in Jimeta Metropolis Municipal solid waste (MSW) refers to household waste combined with a minor portion of commercial waste collected together [3]. The total solid waste generation in Jimeta-Yola metropolis has been on the steady increase over the years due to rapid increase in population. However, waste collection management has remained stagnant or even declined from 2004 to 2008 [4]. The respective composition of solid waste in Jimeta (Yola North) has been found to include paper/cardboard (10%), plastics/nylon/polythene (24.5%), organic materials (35%), metals (8%), Rags (4%), others (18%) [5]. The Adamawa State Environmental and protection Agency (ASEPA) is responsible for waste collection and disposal in Yola. Dumpsters were provided by the authority at strategic locations along the streets of Jimeta metropolis wherein waste that is generated from households, commercial businesses, public buildings, and recreational areas was directly dumped by members of the general public. The waste was then collected at established intervals or as the situation may demand and transported to approve dumpsites. 2. Materials and Methods This study involved characterization and calculation of generation rate of the waste in Jimeta town. Samples of the solid wastes were collected for moisture and waste composition analysis. 2.1 Waste Composition Study To determine the waste composition, hand sorting of the waste samples was used. After collection of the waste samples according to the National guidelines on Environmental Health Practice in Nigeria, (NEHP) [6], from the households in the classified waste areas for 10 days, the IJSER