Fuel Processing Technology, Vol.60, No.2, 103-110, 1999
Pyrolysis kinetics of refuse-derived fuel
Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) was mechanically separated from municipal solid waste (MSW) in a 300 TPD (tons per day) waste pretreatment plant. Pyrolysis of the RDF produced approximately 28% of oils, and 30% of noncondensible hydrocarbon gases and 42% of solid residues at 773 K. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques were used in quantitative prediction of the RDF pyrolysis rate. The global pyrolysis reaction rate was calculated from key component fractions (paper, LDPE, HDPE, PS, and PVC) of RDF using the weighed sum method. Good agreement was found in pyrolysis kinetics between RDF itself and the weighed sum method of the plastic components in RDF. Pyrolysis of RDF in the fixed-bed reactor also had a similar result. This approach allows one to easily account for RDF composition variations, thus rendering the model more generally valid.
Keywords:RECLAMATION;WASTES