Refuse-derived fuel classification in a mechanical–biological treatment plant and its valorization with techno-economic criteria

Abstract

Refuse-derived fuels (RDF) are a category of alternative fuels produced as byproducts from the process of waste management plants. RDF can be utilized for heat and power production, contributing to the waste hierarchy set by European Union. However, the need for standardization of RDF becomes gradually important in SouthEastern Europe, where the market for waste recovered fuels is under development. The application of certification and quality management schemes in the waste treatment and fuel production processes, along with the use of a new terminology, solid recovered fuels may enhance public acceptance and promote the thermal utilization of this resource in industrial facilities. In the present work, a sampling and analysis campaign of RDF produced at a mechanical and biological treatment facility in Athens, Greece, took place. The sampling and analysis were carried out according to the standards of CEN/TC 343. The sampling period lasted 1 year, resulting in 20 samples. Proximate, ultimate analysis, chlorine and heavy metals' content were carried out. Furthermore, a technical and economic assessment was carried out, in order to propose realistic solutions for the improvement of the produced RDF quality and the plants' viability. Two sets of scenarios are assessed with techno-economic criteria referring to different technical solutions. At the end of the study, a step-by-step approach is proposed, which may guarantee the economic feasibility of the proposed plant retrofitting project and a pay-back period adjusted to the extent of the retrofitting measures to be decided.

Potential utilization of commercial waste in Jakarta as alternative fuel by cement industry

“… Sources : Dianda et al (2017), Garcés et al (2016), Kanna et al (2017), Marquard and Bahls AG (2015), McDonnell et al (2010), Oliva et al (2009), Rahman et al (2017), Speight (2019), Vandecasteele and Vermeulen (2011), Vounatsos et al (2013), Wang et al (2012), Wei et al (2014), Wu et al (2015), Yao et al (2018), and Zieri et al (2018). …”

Elemental Compositions of Wood Plastic Pellets Made from Sawdust and Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Waste

“…Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) is a fuel substitute derived from waste management facilities. The use of RDF for heat and power production adheres to the European Union's waste hierarchy [15]. Materials such as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) fractions are used as fuel in cement or combined heat and power (CHP) plants.…”

Thermal Characterization of Various Reduced Derived Fuel Materials for Energy Applications

“…Some of previous studies described the thermal characterization and potential use of various RDF materials for energy applications. The results revealed that the RDF materials consisted of higher amount of volatile matter and lower fixed carbon content than parent solid waste to generate the energy for combustion applications [1,2,5,7,8,12,20,21] Combustion behavior of RDF materials was analyzed in detail using thermal analysis previously. It has been observed that combustion of RDF materials in air can speed up the combustion process, lowers the ignition temperature, makes the complete combustion more certain and promotes the thermal efficient burning of RDF materials [17].In addition, thermal analysis of solid fossil fuels (coal and its derivatives) demonstrated that the temperature for releasing volatiles was higher than RDF materials.…”