What RDF has evolved into

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Waste Age; (United States)

OSTI ID:6110997

Gibbs, D R; Kreidler, L A

Refuse-derived-fuel (RDF) technology was developed in the United States as an alternative to the mass-burning refuse combustion that was common in Europe. RDF firing is believed to be a more efficient means of converting municipal solid wastes (MSW) into usable energy, steam, and/or electricity. What's more, RDF is most compatible with the current trend to conserve resources via recycling. RDF is the combustible or organic fraction of MSW that has been prepared by a mechanical processing method for use as fuel in a boiler or other energy recovery system. Included with RDF is an inorganic fraction or ash - which is a variable of the incoming MSW and the processing system used. An RDF preparation system employs conveyance, size separation, shredding, material recovery, storage, and, in some cases, density separation. These elements produce fuel of a desired characteristic that must be compatible with the systems that use the RDF: the boiler distribution, fuel feeders, boiler grates, and ash removal systems. The need for an integrated system has been realized after years of experience. The refuse boiler, the heart of the entire refuse facility, functions properly because the other components of the plant now function properly. Changes in fuel preparation systems and dedicated boiler concepts are traced by the authors.

• Research Organization: Babcock and Wilcox, Barberton, OH (US)
• OSTI ID: 6110997
• Journal Information: Waste Age; (United States), Journal Name: Waste Age; (United States); ISSN WAGEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090400 -- Solid Waste & Wood Fuels-- (-1989)
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY CONVERSION
FUELS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INTEGRATED IN-SITU PROCESS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS RECOVERY
MODIFIED IN-SITU PROCESSES
MUNICIPAL WASTES
NORTH AMERICA
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
REFUSE DERIVED FUELS
SOLID WASTES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES