Back to Sections

Type:ALLMCQNATMSQ

Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste(14)Hazardous Waste Management and Soil Contamination(5)Biomedical, Plastic, C&D, E-Waste & Energy Sector Waste(3)

Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

14 Questions

GATE→2026→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q1

MCQ[1 Mark]

Which ONE of the following options is NOT a parameter as a part of proximate analysis of municipal solid waste?

(A)

Volatile matter

(B)

Ash content

(C)

Carbon to nitrogen ratio

(D)

Moisture content

Explanation

GATE→2026→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q2

NAT[2 Marks]

An anaerobic digestion system is operated for methane gas generation from organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). - Moisture content = $20\%$ - Volatile solids (VS) content = $90\%$ (on dry basis) - Biodegradable volatile solids (BVS) in VS = $70\%$ - BVS conversion efficiency to methane = $85\%$ - Methane gas generation rate = $12\text{ m}^3$ per kg of BVS converted The total volume of methane gas produced from one kilogram of OFMSW is _____ $\text{m}^3$ (rounded off to two decimal places).

Explanation

GATE→2026→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q3

NAT[2 Marks]

The characteristics of two types of solid waste are given in the table. The quantity of sludge to be added to leaves to achieve a C/N ratio of 25 (on dry basis) for the mixed waste is _____ kg of sludge/kg of leaves (rounded off to three decimal places). - Leaves: Moisture = $0.7$, C/N ratio = $50$, Nitrogen content = $50\%$ - Sludge: Moisture = $6.3$?, C/N ratio = $75$, Nitrogen content = $5.6\%$

Explanation

GATE→2024→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q4

MCQ[1 Mark]

The costliest functional element in an urban centralized Municipal Solid Waste management infrastructure for a typical Indian Tier I city is

(A)

biological treatment

(B)

collection and transport

(C)

disposal in a sanitary landfill

(D)

thermal treatment

Explanation

GATE→2024→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q5

NAT[1 Mark]

A municipal solid waste digester generates $1000\text{ kg}$ of methane gas. The volume of the tank needed to store this gas at $30^\circ\text{C}$ and $3\text{ atm}$ pressure is _____ liters (an integer value). ($R = 0.082\text{ L-atm/mol-K}$, $C=12$, $H=1$)

Explanation

GATE→2024→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q6

NAT[2 Marks]

Two hypothetical organic waste streams A and B are mixed prior to composting process. Waste-A has $2.16\%$ of C and $1.20\%$ of N. Waste-B has $19.10\%$ of C and $0.14\%$ of N. The quantity of Waste-B that should be mixed with per kg of Waste-A to achieve the desired C:N ratio of 25 is _____ kg (rounded off to 2 decimal places).

Explanation

GATE→2024→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q7

NAT[2 Marks]

Food waste, paper waste and plastic waste have typical densities of $280\text{ kg/m}^3$, $80\text{ kg/m}^3$, and $50\text{ kg/m}^3$, respectively. The mixed waste is composed of $70\%$ food waste, $20\%$ paper waste and $10\%$ plastic waste. The density of the mixed waste is _____ $\text{kg/m}^3$ (rounded off to 2 decimal places).

Explanation

GATE→2024→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q8

NAT[2 Marks]

For a biodegradable waste with a chemical formula $C_{50}H_{100}O_{40}N$, the maximum theoretical methane production per ton of waste is _____ kg (rounded off to 2 decimal places). (Assume $100\%$ anaerobic conversion; Atomic weights: $C=12, H=1, O=16, N=14$)

Explanation

GATE→2023→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q9

MSQ[2 Marks]

Read the following statements about aerobic composting of organic fraction of municipal solid waste: I. The majority of the odour problem in an aerobic composting process is due to the development of anaerobic conditions within the compost pile. II. All organic carbon present in the waste will completely biodegrade in 14 days. III. At high C/N ratio, ammonia would be released and biological activity may also be impeded. IV. Optimum moisture content for aerobic composting process would be $50-60\%$. Lower moisture would slow down the biological process. Excessive moisture will make it difficult to maintain aerobic conditions. The correct choice(s) is/are

(A)

I and IV are correct

(B)

II and III are incorrect

(C)

I is correct; IV is incorrect

(D)

II is correct; IV is incorrect

Explanation

GATE→2023→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q10

NAT[2 Marks]

A city generates on average $1000\text{ metric tonnes/day}$ of municipal solid waste and follows integrated waste management system. $15\%$ of the total waste is recycled, $40\%$ of the total waste is used to produce compost. $25\%$ of the total waste is converted to refuse derived fuel (RDF) with $80\%$ efficiency. Remaining is disposed of in a sanitary landfill. The calorific value of the RDF is $15\text{ MJ/kg}$, which is further used to generate electricity. The electrical energy that could be generated from the RDF with a thermal to electrical energy conversion efficiency of $20\%$ is _____ (in MWh/d, rounded off to two decimal places).

Explanation

GATE→2023→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q11

NAT[2 Marks]

Ultimate analysis of a municipal solid waste sample is given below: - Carbon: $48\%$ - Hydrogen: $6\%$ - Oxygen: $35\%$ - Nitrogen: $6\%$ - Ash: $5\%$ For $1\text{ kg}$ of the municipal solid waste burnt, assuming that air contains only nitrogen and oxygen, maximum $CO_2$ emitted is _____ (in kg, rounded off to three decimal places).

Explanation

GATE→2022→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q12

MSQ[1 Mark]

Biodegradable wastes like vegetable peelings from kitchen are usually processed by composting techniques. Which of the following option(s) regarding the processing of biodegradable wastes is/are correct?

(A)

Vermi-composting is relatively faster than windrow composting, however vermi-composting is not frequently used on large commercial scale.

(B)

The windrow height should be as short as possible as large windrow height may cause compaction due to the self-weight.

(C)

The windrow height should be as large as possible as that will help to ensure appropriate temperature within the windrow.

(D)

Earthworms facilitate the growth of microorganisms and break down complex organic molecules to simpler ones using enzymatic secretions.

Explanation

GATE→2022→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q13

MSQ[2 Marks]

As per the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016 (Govt. of India), which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

(A)

Biodegradable wastes should be processed biologically preferably in decentralized facilities at the sources of generation.

(B)

Biodegradable wastes should be processed biologically preferably in centralized facilities away from the sources of generation.

(C)

Used sanitary pads and napkins should be wrapped and disposed into the domestic hazardous waste containers.

(D)

Non-biodegradable components with a heat content more than $1500\text{ kcal/kg}$ should be used for power generation or Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) manufacture.

Explanation

GATE→2022→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Integrated Solid Waste Management & Municipal Waste

Q14

NAT[2 Marks]

Figure below gives the heat inflow into the furnace of a waste-to-energy plant along with the heat outflows from the furnace. - Inflows: Waste ($Heat$), Air ($300\text{ kcal/h}$) - Outflows: Flue gas ($90,000\text{ kcal/h}$), Ash ($10,000\text{ kcal/h}$), Heat losses ($3\%$ of heat released while burning waste) Assume: (i) total heat loss equal to $3\%$ of heat released while burning waste, (ii) sensible heat of the waste is negligible, (iii) complete burning of the waste is ensured. If the waste feed rate into this plant is $70\text{ kg/h}$, the heat content of the waste (in kcal/kg, rounded off to one decimal place) is

Explanation

Hazardous Waste Management and Soil Contamination

5 Questions

GATE→2026→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Hazardous Waste Management and Soil Contamination

Q15

MSQ[1 Mark]

Which of the following statements is/are CORRECT in the context of hazardous waste management and its risk assessment?

(A)

Risk is estimated based on the probability of an action occurring multiplied by the severity of damage.

(B)

High octanol water constant (Kow) is indicative of lower accumulation of an organic chemical in body tissue.

(C)

Pump and treat is an example of contaminated groundwater remediation.

(D)

Biological treatment processes are never applied for hazardous waste management.

Explanation

GATE→2024→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Hazardous Waste Management and Soil Contamination

Q16

MSQ[1 Mark]

As per the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, which is/are the characteristic(s) that must be exhibited by a waste to be classified as a "characteristic" hazardous waste?

(A)

Ignitability

(B)

Reactivity

(C)

Radioactivity

(D)

Toxicity

Explanation

GATE→2023→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Hazardous Waste Management and Soil Contamination

Q17

MCQ[1 Mark]

Consider the following waste categories: i) Domestic Hazardous Waste ii) Nuclear Waste iii) Sludge from wet scrubbers of hazardous waste treatment processes iv) Chromium bearing residue and sludge from leather tanneries Which one of the options correctly represents the waste categories NOT covered under Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 of Government of India?

(A)

(i) and (ii) only

(B)

(i) and (iii) only

(C)

(ii) and (iv) only

(D)

(i), (ii) and (iii) only

Explanation

GATE→2022→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Hazardous Waste Management and Soil Contamination

Q18

MCQ[1 Mark]

Leachate generated from a legacy municipal solid waste dumping site has to be collected and managed carefully. Which one of the following statements is correct in the context of treatment of leachate from such a site?

(A)

Settling chamber followed by micro-filtration units are required.

(B)

Modular treatment units targeting dissolved organic matter and salts are required.

(C)

Only biological treatment units like ASP with extended aeration are required.

(D)

Only a combination of anaerobic-aerobic treatment units is required.

Explanation

GATE→2022→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Hazardous Waste Management and Soil Contamination

Q19

MSQ[1 Mark]

As per 'Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 of Govt. of India, the import of hazardous and other wastes from any country shall NOT be permitted for which of the following option(s)?

(A)

Recovery, reuse and recycle

(B)

Disposal in abandoned mines

(C)

Safe disposal in engineered landfills

(D)

Utilization, including co-processing

Explanation

Biomedical, Plastic, C&D, E-Waste & Energy Sector Waste

3 Questions

GATE→2024→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Biomedical, Plastic, C&D, E-Waste & Energy Sector Waste

Q20

MCQ[1 Mark]

As per the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) guidelines 2004, the maximum size of microplastics is

(A)

10 mm

(B)

5 mm

(C)

10 µm

(D)

5 µm

Explanation

GATE→2023→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Biomedical, Plastic, C&D, E-Waste & Energy Sector Waste

Q21

MCQ[1 Mark]

Which of the following is NOT a designated waste category under Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 of Government of India?

(A)

Yellow

(B)

Green

(C)

Red

(D)

Blue

Explanation

GATE→2023→Solid and Hazardous Waste Management→Biomedical, Plastic, C&D, E-Waste & Energy Sector Waste

Q22

MCQ[1 Mark]

Match the following: **Plastic Type** P. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) Q. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) R. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) S. Polystyrene (PS) **Common applications** (i) Garbage bags, bubble packaging (ii) Pharmaceutical bottles, Styrofoam cups (iii) Water bottles (iv) Geomembrane for landfill liner

(A)

P-(iv), Q-(i), R-(iii), S-(ii)

(B)

P-(i), Q-(iii), R-(ii), S-(iv)

(C)

P-(iv), Q-(ii), R-(i), S-(iii)

(D)

P-(ii), Q-(iii), R-(iv), S-(i)

Explanation