IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v11y2019i20p5685-d276594.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Waste to Carbon: Estimating the Energy Demand for Production of Carbonized Refuse-Derived Fuel

Author

Listed:
  • Paweł Stępień

    (Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (Poland), 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Małgorzata Serowik

    (Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (Poland), 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Jacek A. Koziel

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University (US), Ames, IA 50011-3270, USA)

  • Andrzej Białowiec

    (Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (Poland), 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland
    Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University (US), Ames, IA 50011-3270, USA)

Abstract

We have been advancing the concept of carbonized refuse-derived fuel (CRDF) by refuse-derived fuel (RDF) torrefaction as improved recycling to synergistically address the world’s energy demand. The RDF is a combustible fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW). Many municipalities recover RDF for co-firing with conventional fuels. Torrefaction can further enhance fuel properties and valorize RDF. Energy demand for torrefaction is one of the key unknowns needed for scaling up CRDF production. To address this need, a pioneering model for optimizing site-specific energy demand for torrefaction of mixed RDF materials was developed. First, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analyses were used to establish thermal properties for eight common RDF materials. Then, the model using the %RDF mix, empirical thermal properties, and torrefaction temperature was developed. The model results for individual RDF components fitted well (R 2 ≥ 0.98) with experimental torrefaction data. Finally, the model was used to find an optimized RDF site-specific mixture with the lowest energy demand. The developed model could be a basis for estimating a net energy potential from the torrefaction of mixed RDF. Improved models could be useful to make plant-specific decisions to optimize RDF production based on the energy demand that depends on highly variable types of MSW and RDF streams.

Suggested Citation

  • Paweł Stępień & Małgorzata Serowik & Jacek A. Koziel & Andrzej Białowiec, 2019. "Waste to Carbon: Estimating the Energy Demand for Production of Carbonized Refuse-Derived Fuel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5685-:d:276594
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/20/5685/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/20/5685/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jean Nepomuscene Ntihuga & Thomas Senn & Peter Gschwind & Reinhard Kohlus, 2013. "Estimating Energy- and Eco-Balances for Continuous Bio-Ethanol Production Using a Blenke Cascade System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Jorge Miguel Carneiro Ribeiro & Radu Godina & João Carlos de Oliveira Matias & Leonel Jorge Ribeiro Nunes, 2018. "Future Perspectives of Biomass Torrefaction: Review of the Current State-Of-The-Art and Research Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Andrzej Białowiec & Monika Micuda & Antoni Szumny & Jacek Łyczko & Jacek A. Koziel, 2019. "Waste to Carbon: Influence of Structural Modification on VOC Emission Kinetics from Stored Carbonized Refuse-Derived Fuel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-13, February.
    4. Jung Hyun Kim & Woo Teck Kwon, 2019. "Semi-Dry Carbonation Process Using Fly Ash from Solid Refused Fuel Power Plant," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-10, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Dona Schneider & Michael R. Greenberg, 2023. "Remediating and Reusing Abandoned Mining Sites in U.S. Metropolitan Areas: Raising Visibility and Value," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Adrian Knapczyk & Sławomir Francik & Marcin Jewiarz & Agnieszka Zawiślak & Renata Francik, 2020. "Thermal Treatment of Biomass: A Bibliometric Analysis—The Torrefaction Case," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-31, December.
    3. Kacper Świechowski & Ewa Syguła & Jacek A. Koziel & Paweł Stępień & Szymon Kugler & Piotr Manczarski & Andrzej Białowiec, 2020. "Low-Temperature Pyrolysis of Municipal Solid Waste Components and Refuse-Derived Fuel—Process Efficiency and Fuel Properties of Carbonized Solid Fuel," Data, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-8, May.
    4. Paolino Caputo & Pietro Calandra & Valeria Loise & Adolfo Le Pera & Ana-Maria Putz & Abraham A. Abe & Luigi Madeo & Bagdat Teltayev & Maria Laura Luprano & Michela Alfè & Valentina Gargiulo & Giovanna, 2022. "When Physical Chemistry Meets Circular Economy to Solve Environmental Issues: How the ReScA Project Aims at Using Waste Pyrolysis Products to Improve and Rejuvenate Bitumens," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-17, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Leonel Jorge Ribeiro Nunes & Radu Godina & João Carlos de Oliveira Matias, 2019. "Technological Innovation in Biomass Energy for the Sustainable Growth of Textile Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Kacper Świechowski & Marek Liszewski & Przemysław Bąbelewski & Jacek A. Koziel & Andrzej Białowiec, 2019. "Fuel Properties of Torrefied Biomass from Pruning of Oxytree," Data, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-10, April.
    3. Devaraja, Udya Madhavi Aravindi & Senadheera, Sachini Supunsala & Gunarathne, Duleeka Sandamali, 2022. "Torrefaction severity and performance of Rubberwood and Gliricidia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 1341-1353.
    4. Tahereh Soleymani Angili & Katarzyna Grzesik & Anne Rödl & Martin Kaltschmitt, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment of Bioethanol Production: A Review of Feedstock, Technology and Methodology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Leonel J. R. Nunes & João C. O. Matias, 2020. "Biomass Torrefaction as a Key Driver for the Sustainable Development and Decarbonization of Energy Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-9, January.
    6. Zdeb, Janusz & Howaniec, Natalia & Smoliński, Adam, 2023. "Experimental study on combined valorization of bituminous coal derived fluidized bed fly ash and carbon dioxide from energy sector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    7. Leonel J. R. Nunes & Abel M. Rodrigues & João C. O. Matias & Ana I. Ferraz & Ana C. Rodrigues, 2021. "Production of Biochar from Vine Pruning: Waste Recovery in the Wine Industry," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, May.
    8. Ahmed Al-Mansour & Cheuk Lun Chow & Luciano Feo & Rosa Penna & Denvid Lau, 2019. "Green Concrete: By-Products Utilization and Advanced Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-30, September.
    9. Helder Filipe dos Santos Viana & Abel Martins Rodrigues & Radu Godina & João Carlos de Oliveira Matias & Leonel Jorge Ribeiro Nunes, 2018. "Evaluation of the Physical, Chemical and Thermal Properties of Portuguese Maritime Pine Biomass," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-15, August.
    10. Zhang, Zhiqing & Duan, Hanqi & Zhang, Youjun & Guo, Xiaojuan & Yu, Xi & Zhang, Xingguang & Rahman, Md. Maksudur & Cai, Junmeng, 2020. "Investigation of kinetic compensation effect in lignocellulosic biomass torrefaction: Kinetic and thermodynamic analyses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    11. Hao Luo & Lukasz Niedzwiecki & Amit Arora & Krzysztof Mościcki & Halina Pawlak-Kruczek & Krystian Krochmalny & Marcin Baranowski & Mayank Tiwari & Anshul Sharma & Tanuj Sharma & Zhimin Lu, 2020. "Influence of Torrefaction and Pelletizing of Sawdust on the Design Parameters of a Fixed Bed Gasifier," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, June.
    12. Nobre, Catarina & Vilarinho, Cândida & Alves, Octávio & Mendes, Benilde & Gonçalves, Margarida, 2019. "Upgrading of refuse derived fuel through torrefaction and carbonization: Evaluation of RDF char fuel properties," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 66-76.
    13. Iglesias Canabal, Andrés & Proupín Castiñeiras, Jorge & Rodríguez Añón, José Antonio & Eimil Fraga, Cristina & Rodríguez Soalleiro, Roque, 2023. "Predicting the energy properties of torrefied debarked pine pellets from torrefaction temperature and residence time," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    14. Jagadale, Manisha & Gangil, Sandip & Jadhav, Mahesh, 2023. "Enhancing fuel characteristics of jute sticks (Corchorus Sp.) using fixed bed torrefaction process," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    15. Jacek Łyczko & Jacek A. Koziel & Chumki Banik & Andrzej Białowiec, 2021. "The Proof-of-Concept: The Transformation of Naphthalene and Its Derivatives into Decalin and Its Derivatives during Thermochemical Processing of Sewage Sludge," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-11, October.
    16. Kacper Świechowski & Martyna Hnat & Paweł Stępień & Sylwia Stegenta-Dąbrowska & Szymon Kugler & Jacek A. Koziel & Andrzej Białowiec, 2020. "Waste to Energy: Solid Fuel Production from Biogas Plant Digestate and Sewage Sludge by Torrefaction-Process Kinetics, Fuel Properties, and Energy Balance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-37, June.
    17. Niu, Yanqing & Lv, Yuan & Lei, Yu & Liu, Siqi & Liang, Yang & Wang, Denghui & Hui, Shi'en, 2019. "Biomass torrefaction: properties, applications, challenges, and economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    18. Brojolall, Neeha & Surroop, Dinesh, 2022. "Improving fuel characteristics through torrefaction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    19. Barskov, Stan & Zappi, Mark & Buchireddy, Prashanth & Dufreche, Stephen & Guillory, John & Gang, Daniel & Hernandez, Rafael & Bajpai, Rakesh & Baudier, Jeff & Cooper, Robbyn & Sharp, Richard, 2019. "Torrefaction of biomass: A review of production methods for biocoal from cultured and waste lignocellulosic feedstocks," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 624-642.
    20. Beatriz M. Paredes-Sánchez & José P. Paredes-Sánchez & Paulino J. García-Nieto, 2020. "Energy Multiphase Model for Biocoal Conversion Systems by Means of a Nodal Network," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5685-:d:276594. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.