Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is a fuel generated from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) that contains combustible ingredients. This waste, sourced from industrial or commercial sectors, sustains the processes of shredding, drying, and baling, and then is burned to generate electric energy. RDF acts as a renewable energy source, preventing waste from being disposed of in landfills and maximizes its utilization.
According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, waste and by-products can be used as alternative fuels in cement kilns. This replaces conventional fossil fuels like coal, as long as they meet rigorous specifications. Sometimes, pre-processing is necessary to produce customized fuels for the cement production process.
RDF comes in different forms such as Solid Recovered Fuels (SRF), Tyre Derived Fuels (TDF), and Alternative Fuels (AF). Non-recyclable plastics, labels, paper cardboard, and other corrugated materials are also processed to create RDF. By converting these diverse combustible materials into RDF, you can make a positive impact on the environment, reducing dependence on fossil fuels in coal-based power plants, electric generation plants, and cement plants.
What Production Steps are Involved in RDF?
The production of RDF involves some steps to make sure the generation of a consistent material that acts as an alternative to fossil fuels and a reduction agent in steel furnaces. The most usual technique for extracting RDF from Municipal Solid Waste combines biological and mechanical treatment methods. Take a look below to know about the production steps:
- Size Screening: Sorting the waste components according to their dimension to ensure uniformity.
- Coarse Shredding: Breaking down the waste into smaller pieces to facilitate further processing.
- Bag Splitting: Opening bags to check the waste particles contained inside.
- Shredding: Further shredding is done to lower the size of the waste materials.
- Magnetic Separation: Using magnets to extract ferrous metals from the waste stream through separation.
- Refining Separation: Utilizing different separation techniques to achieve a uniform RDF material.
Thus Refuse Derived Fuel offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to landfill disposal. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the export of RDF to meet landfill diversion targets.
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