Investigation of the energy value of automobile shredder residue

Technical Report · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6045052

Hubble, W S; Most, I G; Wolman, M R

This study evaluated the feasibility of using automobile shredder residue ''fluff'' as a fuel for on-site power generation. The evaluation includes analysis of economic and environmental parameters. A total of 125 shredding firms were contacted with 47 shredder operators responding representing 50 sites. Follow-up interviews provided insight into shredder operations and to the problems associated with using shredder fluff as a fuel. Twelve shredder sites sent samples of fluff for evaluation. A sampling procedure was established to provide a meaningful representation of the shredder fluff. Laboratory analyses were conducted to determine the fuel characteristics of the material. Self-sustained combustion was achieved with shredder fluff in a rotary kiln test incinerator. Combustibles were 94% burnt out, leaving free-flowing, granular ash. Volume was reduced 80% and weight 55%. Air emissions could be controlled to acceptable levels with commercial equipment. Leachable lead levels in some incinerator test ash samples exceeded the Extraction Procedure (EP) toxicity limit. Use of sodium silicate or portland cement type reagents as additives resulted in reduced EP Toxicity levels for combustion ash. This study indicates combustion of automotive shredder residue with energy recovery should be considered as an alternative to landfill disposal. Actual statistical analysis of fluff from twelve shredder sites results in a mean value of 5400 Btu/lb. Assuming a more conservative Higher Heating Value of 5000 Btu/lb, fluff represents a current nationwide fuel value of 0.024 quads (0.025 EJ).

• Research Organization: EnerGroup, Inc., Portland, ME (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-84ID12551
• OSTI ID: 6045052
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/12551-1; ON: DE87013645
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
AIR POLLUTION
ASHES
AUTOMOBILES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS RECOVERY
OXIDATION
POLLUTION
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
RECYCLING
RESIDUES
SCRAP
SOLID WASTES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VEHICLES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES