Refuse Derived Fuel
Refuse Derived Fuel (or RDF for short ) represents the waste fraction with a high calorific value and is one of the substitute fuels . The term RDF is not legally defined.
RDF is the product of processing municipal waste to separate the non-combustible from the combustible part and processing the combustible part into a form that can be effectively burned in an existing or new boiler.
It is a solid fraction with a coarser grain size , which can be directly declared as a substitute fuel and is characterized by a lower processing depth compared to the secondary fuels . The processing steps are the selection of contaminants, the coarse classification, the sieve size reduction, the iron magnetic separation and the air separation .
Fractions with a high calorific value are mainly used in industrial and mono power plants.
Explanation and demarcation of terms
According to the definition of the quality association for secondary fuels and recycling wood e. V., substitute fuels are to be differentiated into secondary fuels and fractions with a high calorific value. RDF is the international name for waste fractions with a high calorific value that are obtained in mechanical-biological treatment plants or commercial sorting systems from waste mixtures such as municipal and ( household-like ) commercial waste.
The term RDF is used especially in English-speaking countries for the energy-rich fraction of municipal waste, but it can also generally stand for all waste that is traded and used as fuel. There is no legally binding definition of RDF, and the meaning of the term varies by state. The German term for RDF is the already outdated expression “fuel from garbage (BRAM)”. The term “substitute fuel”, which is more common today, is generally broader than RDF.
The terms secondary fuels or substitute fuels (German: secondary fuels ) are used more in connection with industrial waste fractions such as tires or solvents that are processed into fuels of constant quality.
Processing intensity
The degree of preparation is lower compared to the secondary fuels. It is a fixed fraction with a coarser grain size that can be directly declared as a substitute fuel. To obtain a secondary fuel, a more in-depth processing would have to be carried out.
Recovery and buyer
Fractions with a high calorific value are mainly used in industrial and mono power plants. These have a modern, but still robust combustion technology, which is why lower demands can be placed on the degree of preparation of the substitute fuel.
RDF can be burned directly or further processed to produce secondary fuel. They are then generally used in co-incineration plants or special substitute fuel power plants. In order to comply with the official requirements (17th BImSchV ), particular attention is paid to the entry quality with regard to the heavy metal and chlorine concentration of the fuel.
Within the EU , RDF are mainly used in countries with a high standard of waste separation and recycling, such as Austria, Germany and the Netherlands.
Processing method
A pre-sorting of the waste mixture takes place via the contaminant selection. The waste is then homogenized by coarse shredding and sieving. Finally, an iron magnetic separation is carried out and the air sifter is used to separate the high calorific fraction such as plastics and paper, i.e. flat and airworthy light materials.
literature
- Jochen Bender: Development of an exploratory model for quality assurance of substitute fuels from heterogeneous municipal waste. Münster, June 30, 2011. (Full text.pdf)
- Sabine Flamme, Jochen Bender: Experience in quality assurance of substitute fuels. In: ASA GmbH: MBA Technology - Switching point for material flows and energy efficiency. International 8th ASA Waste Days, February 24, 2010, pp. 121–127.
- Sabine Flamme, Jochen Bender: How are standardized methods for the analysis of substitute fuels created. In: B. Bilitewski, P. Werner, S. Rotter, G. Hoffmann (Eds.): EBS - Analytik 2 - Quality assurance and input control. Dresden 2009, ISBN 978-3-934253-52-0 , pp. 19-33.
- Sabine Flamme, Jochen Bender: Quality assurance for substitute fuels as a guarantee of success. In: W. Rasemann (Ed.): Proceedings of the 14th Freiberg Sampling Conference. Volume 14, Freiberg 2009.
- B. Gallenkemper: Optimization approaches for secondary fuel and energy supply at MBT . In: K. Fricke, C.-G. Bergs, G. Kosak, R. Wallmann: Energy from waste, biomass and substitute material utilization. 69th Symposium of the ANS e. V. Göttingen, September 16 and 17, 2008. P. 77 ff.
- A. Gendebien, A. Leavens, K. Blackmore, A. Godley, K. Lewin, KJ Whiting, R. Davis, J. Giegrich, H. Fehrenbach, U. Gromke, N. del Bufalo, D. Hogg: Refuse Derived Duel, Current Practice and Perspectives. (B4-3040 / 2000/306517 / MAR / E3) - Final Report. European Commission - Directorate General Environment, Report No .: CO 5087-4. (ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/studies/pdf/rdf.pdf. July 2010), 2003.
- T. Pretz: Secondary fuel - processing and recycling. In: K. Fricke, C.-G. Bergs, G. Kosak, R. Wallmann: Energy from waste, biomass and substitute material utilization. 69th Symposium of the ANS e. V. Göttingen, September 16 and 17, 2008. P. 167 ff.
- R. Vogt: Ecological assessment of biomass and alternative fuel utilization. In: K. Fricke, C.-G. Bergs, G. Kosak, R. Wallmann: Energy from waste, biomass and substitute material utilization. 69th Symposium of the ANS e. V. Göttingen, September 16 and 17, 2008. P. 273 ff.
- Dirk Lechtenberg, H. Diller: Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials Handbook for the Cement and Lime Industry, Vol. 1, Düsseldorf, Verlag Bau und Technik 2012; ISBN 978-3-7640-0550-4