The question “What is refuse-derived fuel?” has become essential, with businesses and governments looking for ways to generate renewable energy. Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is generated from commercial and waste, providing another option to traditional fossil fuels. This blog explores what RDF is used for, how it gets made, and the many benefits it has for businesses and our ecosystems.
What is Refuse Derived Fuel Used For?
RDF is primarily used as an alternate fuel in power plants. But what is RDF used for? RDF, which comes from a mixture of waste like plastics, paper, and small amounts of organic material, is made to generate electricity, heat, and other types of energy. It is used as a fuel used in Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants. In this way, waste is used to reclaim energy and is not sent to landfill.
In Europe, RDF is used largely for heating systems in certain districts to provide hot water and warmth to entire communities. It’s also used in cement kilns as a replacement for fossil fuels, which helps lessen the environmental impact of making cement. The flexibility of RDF makes it an important resource for many industrial uses, especially in areas with low landfill capacity and high energy needs.
Production of Refuse Derived Fuel
The process of making RDF includes many steps, all aimed at getting the most energy out of waste materials. RDF production starts with gathering and organizing waste and separating recyclable materials such as metals and glass and organic material. This is done using a series of rotating drums, or trommels, with holes of varying size that can remove much of the organic material from the waste stream.
The organic material can be turned into compost and the left-over material, which normally includes the plastics, paper and cardboard is chopped into smaller sizes to make it easier to handle.
Following the shredding process, the waste is treated again. This may involve drying, screening, and magnetic separation to eliminate any remaining non-combustibles. The result is a uniform fuel that can be transported and used as a fuel.
RDF is made using various technologies. These include mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) and advanced thermal treatment (ATT). MBT is a method where waste sorting with machines and biological processes converts the waste into stable fuel with a high calorie value. In ATT, methods like gasification and pyrolysis break down waste at high temperatures. This latter process results in two principal products. The first is syngas, which can be used as a heat source or for making electricity, while the second is a char, or biochar that, if generated from organic material such as waste wood, can be used as a soil conditioner and fertilizer.
Refuse Derived Fuel Advantages
One of the main advantages of RDF is its effect on the environment, particularly in reducing waste’s impact. By transforming waste into energy, RDF helps lessen the amount of waste that goes to landfills. This, in turn, reduces the amount of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas, that is generated by rotting organic matter within landfill sites.
Another significant benefit of RDF is its role in decreasing dependence on non-renewable energy sources. When coal and oil is replaced by using RDF, industries reduce their carbon footprint, which contributes to fighting global warming or climate change. Moreover, using RDF in cement kilns and other industrial methods aids in conserving natural resources by reducing the requirement for raw materials.
When it comes to businesses, the financial advantages of RDF are significant. The constant increase in expenses for landfill disposal and growing emphasis on corporate sustainability make RDF a good choice for companies aiming to decrease waste management costs and enhance their environmental profile. Incorporating RDF into their waste management plans can help businesses cut down on disposal expenses and possibly create income by selling RDF to energy generators.
In addition, RDF production aids the circular economy by converting waste into a valuable substance, an essential feature of what has become known as the circular economy.
A Sustainable Future with Refuse Derived Fuel
In a changing world where sustainability in energy is growing, the question of “what is refuse-derived fuel?” becomes increasingly important. RDF is a central component of the circular economy, converts waste into valuable resources and provides a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Knowing what refuse-derived fuel is and how it is contributes to cutting down on the cost of waste management, is critical in our efforts to move towards a fully circular economy.
For more information about RDF and its advantages for your business or how refuse-derived fuel can be used in your industry, please contact Organics USA Inc. Our professionals are ready to assist you in understanding and implementing RDF within your waste management plans.
We should perhaps be careful not to treat potential clients as if they know nothing about their own business.