Exploring RDF in Municipal Solid Waste

Aug 18, 2024

Lecture on RDF for Municipal Solid Waste

Introduction

  • Speaker: Mr. Gassman
  • Focus: RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) for municipal solid waste
  • Topics:
    • Processing opportunities for municipal solid waste into RDF
    • Company introduction
    • Status and potential of alternative fuels in the cement industry
    • Project development and RDF processing

Company Overview

  • BW Lattenback
    • Consultants and advisors for alternative fuels processing
    • Editors of the Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials Handbook
    • Conduct training and workshops globally
    • Work with industries such as cement, coal-fired power plants, lime industries

Alternative Fuels

  • Types: Solid and Liquid
  • Focus: Solid fuels, especially RDF and biomass dry fuels
  • Sources: Municipal solid waste, commercial and industrial waste, sewage sludge, waste wood

Cement Industry and Alternative Fuels

  • High calorific value fuels (e.g., RDF) around 4000-4500 kilocalories
  • Industry practices (use kilocalories instead of kilojoules)
  • 50-year history in using alternative fuels
  • Ideal conditions for processing waste (high temperature, long retention time)
  • Sustainable waste management solution
  • No residues, unlike waste-to-energy facilities

Global Cement Production

  • 2014 production: 4.3 billion tons
  • Major production in China (56%)
  • Growth potential for alternative fuel use

Usage of Alternative Fuels

  • Germany example: 63-64% of thermal heat demand met by alternative fuels
  • Worldwide: 150 million tons of alternative fuels used
  • Potential increase in usage by cement industry due to cost benefits

Alternative Fuel Sources

  • Examples: Old tires, cardboard, low-recyclable paper, biomass, mixed plastics, carpet waste

Processing Municipal Solid Waste into RDF

  • Importance of waste sorting to identify usable fractions
  • Examples of processing in countries like India, Pakistan, Lebanon
  • Typical RDF yield: 23% of processed waste

Processing Techniques

  • Pre-processing: Screening, shredding, separation
  • Facility example: Portugal project
  • Larger municipal projects: Automated systems, sorting, and separation

Case Study: Tel Aviv RDF Plant

  • Processes 1500 tons of waste daily, producing 500 tons of RDF
  • Fully automated sorting and separation
  • RDF reduces reliance on petroleum-based fuels in cement kilns

Drying Techniques

  • Importance of drying to reduce moisture content
  • Biological drying process to reduce moisture in 9-10 days
  • Increases RDF yield and reduces energy loss

Summary

  • Future trend: Increased use of alternative fuels globally
  • Estimated RDF demand with 20% substitution rate: 165 million tons
  • With 60% substitution rate: 500 million tons
  • Technological advancements improving yields and processing efficiency
  • Encouragement to shift towards alternative fuels

Conclusion

  • Adoption of alternative fuels is rising globally
  • Opportunities for sustainable waste management
  • Invitation to learn more at the company's booth and upcoming presentations
  • Contact information available for further discussions.