Refuse derived fuel Research Papers (original) (raw)

The concept of the waste biorefinery is known as one of the several energy recovery technologies capable of producing multi-products in the form of biofuels and value-added products treating different fractions of municipal solid waste... more

The concept of the waste biorefinery is known as one of the several energy recovery technologies capable of producing multi-products in the form of biofuels and value-added products treating different fractions of municipal solid waste (MSW). The conversion technologies such as anaerobic digestion (AD), pyrolysis, transesterification, incineration treat food, plastic, meat, and lignocellulosic wastes to produce liquid, gaseous and solid biofuels. Makkah city landfills receive about 2750 tons of waste every day. While during the Ramadan and Hajj seasons, these quantities become 3000 tons and 4706 tons per day respectively. More than 2.5 million animals were sold for slaughtering in 2014 Hajj, and their blood and organic solid waste were disposed of untreated. Similarly, around 2.1 million plastic Zam-Zam cups were wasted every day during the 2014 Ramadan time. In the first three days of 2014's Ramadan, 5000 tons of food was wasted only in Makkah municipality. Collectively, about 3853 tons of waste were generated each day during 2014 Hajj and Ramadan. The waste from Al-Haram and Al-Masha’ir (Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat) and their surroundings was mainly composed of organics (up to 68.5%). There is no waste-to-energy facility existing in Saudi Arabia. The waste biorefinery in Makkah will divert up to 94% of MSW from landfill to biorefinery. The energy potential of 2171.47 TJ and 8852.66 TJ can be produced if all of the food and plastic waste of the Makkah city are processed through AD and pyrolysis respectively. The development of AD and pyrolysis under waste biorefinery will also benefit the economy with gross savings of 405 and 565.7 million SR respectively, totalling to an annual profit of 970.7 million SR. Therefore, the benefits of waste biorefinery in Makkah city and other parts of the Saudi Arabia are numerous including the development of renewable-energy science and research, solving solid waste problems, new businesses and job creation opportunities and minimizing environmental pollution.

Municipal solid waste generation is a rapidly increasing challenge that is leading to severe pollution and environmental degradation in many urban areas of developing countries. Globally, the solid waste sector accounts for 18% of methane... more

Municipal solid waste generation is a rapidly increasing challenge that is leading to severe pollution and environmental degradation in many urban areas of developing countries. Globally, the solid waste sector accounts for 18% of methane emissions and 3e4% of greenhouse gas emissions overall. Waste handling and disposal systems in most large cities have largely been designed with minimal accounting of environmental issues. This study presents the Waste to Energy Recovery Assessment (WERA) framework, a new quantitative decision support model for initial evaluation and alternative comparisons of different thermochemical treatments of municipal wastes. The framework not only accounts for benefits through electricity generation but also accounts for emissions from facilities and the associated social cost of carbon in a cost-benefit assessment. The assessments are conducted with Monte Carlo simulations that explicitly account for uncertain factors such as future composition and generation of solid waste, technical efficiency of treatment processes, capital and operating costs, as well as future policies. The framework is used to study waste-to-energy (WtE) systems for Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Tokyo and New York. The results show that WtE systems can fulfill only 1.4e3.6% of 2014 electricity demand in the analyzed cases. Furthermore, the net present value for different technologies can be positive if collection fees and electricity rates (potentially set through feed-in-tariff policies) are sufficiently high. The analysis for Abu Dhabi and Riyadh also reveals that in a limited set of conditions (of technology efficiencies, and waste collection rates etc.) the WtE facilities can be self-sustaining investments.

The aim of this work is to present the structure and the application of a decision support system (DSS) designed to help decision makers of a municipality in the development of incineration, disposal, treatment and recycling integrated... more

The aim of this work is to present the structure and the application of a decision support system (DSS) designed to help decision makers of a municipality in the development of incineration, disposal, treatment and recycling integrated programs. Specifically, within a MSW management system, several treatment plants and facilities can generally be found: separators, plants for production of refuse derived fuel (RDF), incinerators with energy recovery, plants for treatment of organic material, and sanitary landfills. The main goal of the DSS is to plan the MSW management, defining the refuse flows that have to be sent to recycling or to different treatment or disposal plants, and suggesting the optimal number, the kinds, and the localization of the plants that have to be active. The DSS is based on a decision model that requires the solution of a constrained non-linear optimization problem, where some decision variables are binary and other ones are continuous. The objective function ...

The paper presents the use of Solid Recovered Fuels (SRF) in Chelm Cement Plant (Poland). These types of fuels are produced from non-hazardous waste and can be used for energy recovery in waste co-combustion plants. They are much cheaper... more

The paper presents the use of Solid Recovered Fuels (SRF) in Chelm Cement Plant (Poland). These types of fuels are produced from non-hazardous waste and can be used for energy recovery in waste co-combustion plants.
They are much cheaper compared to primary fuels, so their use in the process of cement clinker burning brings evident economic benefits. Chelm cement plant owned by the CEMEX company is a leader in the use of alternative fuels in Poland. In the years 2005-2011 the amount of co-combustion of alternative fuels in the cement had risen from 107 to 318 thousand tons, and their share in the cement kiln heat balance reached in 2011 the level of 73.5%. This increase did not result in increase of pollutant emissions to the air.
English title: The use of solid recovered fuels (SRF) from waste - case study of fuel co-combustion installation in Chełm cement plant.

The chapter discusses the problem of air emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs) from the process of cement clinker production. In the analyzed cement kilns significant amount of fossil fuels is... more

The chapter discusses the problem of air emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs) from the process of cement clinker production. In the analyzed cement kilns significant amount of fossil fuels is replaced with alternative fuels, mainly waste-derived fuels. Thus, particular attention has been paid to the potential impact on the level of the emissions such factors as type and quantity of used wastes and their ways of introducing into the kiln during co-combustion. The analysis include the results of measurements of PCDD/PCDF concentrations in the flue gases of selected cement kilns and differences in used raw materials, methods of production, technological process and flue-gas cleaning systems. Due to the fact that co-combustion in cement kilns is an alternative to incineration of waste, the emissions were compared with the emission of PCDD/PCDF from municipal solid waste incineration plants and the waste combustion in uncontrolled conditions (domestic furnaces and small boilers).
English title: Emissions of dioxins and furans from co-combustion of alternative fuels in cement kilns.

This paper reviews the global status of waste to energy (WTE) technologies as a mean for renewable energy production and municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal method. A case study of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) under this concept was... more

This paper reviews the global status of waste to energy (WTE) technologies as a mean for renewable energy production and municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal method. A case study of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) under this concept was developed. The WTE opportunities in the KSA is undertaken in the context of two scenarios: (1) incineration and (2) refuse derived fuel (RDF) along with bio-methanation from 2012 to 2035. Biomethanation technology can proved to be the most suitable WTE technology for KSA due to (a) availability of high food waste volume (37% of total MSW) that can be used as a feedstock, (b) higher efficiency (25–30%) and (c) lowest annual capital ($0.1–0.14/ton) and operational cost. However, the need for large space for continuous operation might increase operational cost. The RDF has an advantage over incineration due to (a) less annual capital ($7.5–11.3/ton) and (b) operational cost ($0.3–0.55/ton), but the high labor skills requirements will most probably be a limitation, if appropriate training and related infrastructure are not scheduled to be included as a prerequisite. The incineration technology also proves to be an efficient solution with a relatively higher efficiency (25%) and lower operational cost ($1.5–2.5/ton). However, the need for treatment of air and waterborne pollutants and ash within the incineration facility can be the limiting factors for the development of this technology in KSA. In 2012, the power generation potential for KSA was estimated at 671 MW and 319.4 MW from incineration and RDF with biomethanation scenarios respectively, which was forecasted to reach upto 1447 MW and 699.76 MW for both scenarios respectively by 2035. Therefore, WTE technologies, could make a substantial contribution to the renewable energy production in KSA as well as alleviating the cost of landfilling and its associated environmental impacts. However, the decision to select between the two scenarios requires further in-depth financial, technical and environmental analysis using life cycle assessment (LCA) tool.

This report proposes a waste disposal system which includes integrated informal recycling, small scale biomethanation, MBT and RDF/WTE. Informal recycling can be integrated into the formal system by training and employing waste pickers... more

This report proposes a waste disposal system which includes integrated informal recycling, small scale biomethanation, MBT and RDF/WTE.
Informal recycling can be integrated into the formal system by training and employing waste pickers to conduct door-to-door collection of wastes, and by allowing them to sell the recyclables they collected. Waste pickers should also be employed at material recovery facilities (or MRFs) to increase the percentage of recycling. Single households, restaurants, food courts and other sources of separated organic waste should be encouraged to employ small scale biomethanation and use the biogas for cooking purposes. Use of compost product from mixed wastes for agriculture should be regulated. It should be used for gardening purposes only or as landfill cover. Rejects from the composting facility should be combusted in a waste-to-energy facility to recover energy. Ash from WTE facilities should be used to make bricks or should be contained in a sanitary landfill facility.
Such a system will divert 93.5% of MSW from landfilling, and increase the life span of a landfill from 20 years to 300 years. It will also decrease disease, improve the quality of life of urban Indians, and avoid environmental pollution.

This paper aims to determine the waste-to-energy (WTE) and recycling value of municipal solid waste (MSW) for developing an integrated solid waste management (ISWM) system for Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan. The overall... more

This paper aims to determine the waste-to-energy (WTE) and recycling
value of municipal solid waste (MSW) for developing an integrated solid
waste management (ISWM) system for Lahore, the second largest city in
Pakistan. The overall generated waste in Lahore contains 58% organic
waste, 25% recyclables, and 17% others. The recyclable materials including glass, paper, and plastic are generating US$ 15.3 million per year mostly by informal sector. An estimated production of 0.45 m3 CH4/kg volatile solids with total energy value of 8747.3 TJ or 2.43 TWh can be achieved if the total organic waste stream (0.57 million ton/year) dumped at Saggian landfill site is processed using anaerobic digestion technology. The estimated refused derived fuel (RDF) value for MSW, excluding metals, glass, and other inorganic waste is about 7.71 MJ/kg with total energy potential of 6191.13 TJ or 1.72 TWh/year. The presence of high volatile organic carbon and fixed carbon in textile and paper-related waste confirmed their suitability for incineration process. A significant reduction in the final volume of waste reaching to landfill can be achieved if these WTE technologies and recycling practices are in place. This will make a premise for ISWM system in Lahore based on reduce, reuse, recycle, and recovery principles. The recovered
materials and energy will not only generate revenue to fund waste management activities in Lahore, but also protect the River Ravi from waste pollution.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management is a chronic environmental problem in most of the developing countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The concept of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) is known as one of the several technologies... more

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management is a chronic environmental problem in most of the developing countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The concept of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) is known as one of the several technologies capable of benefiting a society, which desires to reduce fossil-fuel addiction. Currently, there is no WTE facility existing in the KSA. The MSW is collected and disposed in landfills untreated. A substantial increase in the population by 3.4 %/y over the last 35 y coupled with urbanization and raised living standards have resulted in high generation rate of MSW. In 2014, about 15.3 Mt of MSW was generated in KSA. The food and plastic waste are the two main waste streams, which covers 70 % of the total MSW. The waste is highly organic (up to 72 %) in nature and food waste covers 50.6 % of it. An estimated electricity potential of 2.99 TWh can be generated annually, if all of the food waste is utilized in anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities. Similarly, 1.03 and 1.55 TWh electricity can be produced annually if all of the plastics and other mixed waste are processed in the pyrolysis and refuse derived fuel (RDF) technologies respectively. The aim of this paper is to review the prospective WTE technologies in Saudi Arabia. However, the real selection of the conversion technologies will be done in conjunction with the fieldwork on waste characterization and laboratory examination of selected technologies and further socio-economic and environmental evaluations.

Diversion of waste streams such as plastics, woods, papers and other solid trash from municipal landfills and extraction of useful materials from landfills is an area of increasing interest especially in densely populated areas. One... more

Diversion of waste streams such as plastics, woods, papers and other solid trash from municipal landfills
and extraction of useful materials from landfills is an area of increasing interest especially in densely
populated areas. One promising technology for recycling municipal solid waste (MSW) is to burn the
high-energy-content components in standard coal power plant. This research aims to reform wastes into
briquettes that are compatible with typical coal combustion processes. In order to comply with the standards
of coal-fired power plants, the feedstock must be mechanically robust, free of hazardous contaminants,
and moisture resistant, while retaining high fuel value. This study aims to investigate the effects of
processing conditions and added recyclable plastics on the properties of MSW solid fuels. A well-sorted
waste stream high in paper and fiber content was combined with controlled levels of recyclable plastics
PE, PP, PET and PS and formed into briquettes using a compression molding technique. The effect of added
plastics and moisture content on binding attraction and energy efficiency were investigated. The stability
of the briquettes to moisture exposure, the fuel composition by proximate analysis, briquette mechanical
strength, and burning efficiency were evaluated. It was found that high processing temperature ensures
better properties of the product addition of milled mixed plastic waste leads to better encapsulation as
well as to greater calorific value. Also some moisture removal (but not complete) improves the compacting
process and results in higher heating value. Analysis of the post-processing water uptake and compressive
strength showed a correlation between density and stability to both mechanical stress and
humid environment. Proximate analysis indicated heating values comparable to coal. The results showed
that mechanical and moisture uptake stability were improved when the moisture and air contents were
optimized. Moreover, the briquette sample composition was similar to biomass fuels but had significant
advantages due to addition of waste plastics that have high energy content compared to other waste
types. Addition of PP and HDPE presented better benefits than addition of PET due to lower softening
temperature and lower oxygen content. It should be noted that while harmful emissions such as dioxins,
furans and mercury can result from burning plastics, WTE facilities have been able to control these emissions
to meet US EPA standards. This research provides a drop-in coal replacement that reduces demand
on landfill space and replaces a significant fraction of fossil-derived fuel with a renewable alternative.

The chapter presents the results of analyses concerning the impact of using alternative fuels in one of the Polish cement plants on the volume of continuously measured emissions into the air for the following substances: carbon dioxide... more

The chapter presents the results of analyses concerning the impact of using alternative fuels in one of the Polish cement plants on the volume of continuously measured emissions into the air for the following substances: carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen chloride (HCl), gaseous and volatile organic compounds expressed as total organic carbon (TOC), and total dust. The analyses covered a 15-month period of the operation of a dry cement kiln, approximately 100m-long, equipped with four-stage cyclone exchangers and a calciner, constituting an additional chamber for waste co-combustion. The results obtained confirmed the lack of a significant impact of the volume of combusted alternative fuels on the emissions of examined air pollutants. In particular, the lack of linear correlations between the amounts of chlorine and sulphur brought in with alternative fuels and the amounts of HCl and SO2 emissions was observed.

Dwindling fossil fuels and improper waste management are major challenges in the context of increasing population and industrialization, calling for new waste-to-energy sources. For instance, refuse-derived fuels can be produced from... more

Dwindling fossil fuels and improper waste management are major challenges in the context of increasing population and industrialization, calling for new waste-to-energy sources. For instance, refuse-derived fuels can be produced from transformation of municipal solid waste, which is forecasted to reach 2.6 billion metric tonnes in 2030. Gasification is a thermalinduced chemical reaction that produces gaseous fuel such as hydrogen and syngas. Here, we review refuse-derived fuel gasification with focus on practices in various countries, recent progress in gasification, gasification modelling and economic analysis. We found that some countries that replace coal by refuse-derived fuel reduce CO 2 emission by 40%, and decrease the amount municipal solid waste being sent to landfill by more than 50%. The production cost of energy via refuse-derived fuel gasification is estimated at 0.05 USD/kWh. Co-gasification by using two feedstocks appears more beneficial over conventional gasification in terms of minimum tar formation and improved process efficiency.

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η κριτική θεώρηση και ανάλυση της μεθόδου της συναποτέφρωσης του RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel - στερεό καύσιμο παραγόμενο από απόβλητα) στην τσιμεντοβιομηχανία. Πρόκειται για μια μέθοδο που εντάσσεται... more

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η κριτική θεώρηση και ανάλυση της μεθόδου της συναποτέφρωσης του RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel - στερεό καύσιμο παραγόμενο από απόβλητα) στην τσιμεντοβιομηχανία. Πρόκειται για μια μέθοδο που εντάσσεται στον Εθνικό Σχεδιασμό της Ελλάδας για τη Διαχείριση των Στερεών Αποβλήτων αλλά ακόμη δεν έχει εφαρμοστεί παρ' όλο το ενδιαφέρον που έχει ήδη εκδηλωθεί από κάποιες τσιμεντοβιομηχανίες. Για την εξέταση του ζητήματος, επελέγη ως μελέτη περίπτωσης το παραγόμενο RDF από το εργοστάσιο μηχανικής ανακύκλωσης και κομποστοποίησης στα Άνω Λιόσια και το εργοστάσιο τσιμέντου του ομίλου ΑΓΕΤ ΗΡΑΚΛΗΣ στο Μυλάκι Αλιβερίου στην Εύβοια. Με τη Μέθοδο της ανάλυσης κύκλου ζωής θα προσεγγιστεί το πρόβλημα τόσο από την τεχνικο-οικονομική του διάσταση όσο και από την περιβαλλοντική.

Dwindling fossil fuels and improper waste management are major challenges in the context of increasing population and industrialization, calling for new waste-to-energy sources. For instance, refuse-derived fuels can be produced from... more

Dwindling fossil fuels and improper waste management are major challenges in the context of increasing population and industrialization, calling for new waste-to-energy sources. For instance, refuse-derived fuels can be produced from transformation of municipal solid waste, which is forecasted to reach 2.6 billion metric tonnes in 2030. Gasification is a thermalinduced chemical reaction that produces gaseous fuel such as hydrogen and syngas. Here, we review refuse-derived fuel gasification with focus on practices in various countries, recent progress in gasification, gasification modelling and economic analysis. We found that some countries that replace coal by refuse-derived fuel reduce CO 2 emission by 40%, and decrease the amount municipal solid waste being sent to landfill by more than 50%. The production cost of energy via refuse-derived fuel gasification is estimated at 0.05 USD/kWh. Co-gasification by using two feedstocks appears more beneficial over conventional gasification...