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Pelletization of Refuse-Derived Fuel with Varying Compositions of Plastic, Paper, Organic and Wood

Author

Listed:
  • Hamid Rezaei

    (Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • Fahimeh Yazdan Panah

    (Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • C. Jim Lim

    (Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • Shahab Sokhansanj

    (Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
    Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK 3B48, Canada)

Abstract

The combustible fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) is called refuse-derived fuel (RDF). RDF is a blend of heterogeneous materials and thus its handling is challenging. Pelletization is an efficient treatment to minimize the heterogeneity. In this research, typical RDF compositions were prepared by mixing several mass fractions of paper, plastic, household organic and wood. The collected compositions were ground, wetted to 20% moisture content (wet basis) and pelletized. Increasing the plastic content from 20% to 40% reduced the pelletization energy but increased the pellet’s calorific value. Pellets with higher plastic content generated more dust when exposed to shaking. Making durable pellets with 40% plastic content needed an increase in die temperature from 80 °C to 100 °C. Increasing the paper content from 30% to 50% increased the durability but consumed higher energy to form pellets. Paper particles increased the friction between pellet’s surface and die wall as was evident from expulsion energy. Force versus displacement curve for material compression revealed that the RDF compositions have rigid material characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Hamid Rezaei & Fahimeh Yazdan Panah & C. Jim Lim & Shahab Sokhansanj, 2020. "Pelletization of Refuse-Derived Fuel with Varying Compositions of Plastic, Paper, Organic and Wood," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4645-:d:368105
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Larsson, Sylvia H. & Lestander, Torbjörn A. & Crompton, Dave & Melin, Staffan & Sokhansanj, Shahab, 2012. "Temperature patterns in large scale wood pellet silo storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 322-327.
    2. Rezaei, Hamid & Sokhansanj, Shahab, 2018. "Physical and thermal characterization of ground bark and ground wood particles," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(PA), pages 583-590.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rakesh Kumar & Anurag Verma & Arkajyoti Shome & Rama Sinha & Srishti Sinha & Prakash Kumar Jha & Ritesh Kumar & Pawan Kumar & Shubham & Shreyas Das & Prabhakar Sharma & P. V. Vara Prasad, 2021. "Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-41, September.
    2. Nikola Čajová Kantová & Pavol Belány & Michal Holubčík & Alexander Čaja, 2022. "Energy Consumption Depending on the Durability of Pellets Formed from Sawdust with an Admixture of FFP2 Masks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-9, June.
    3. Santa Margarida Santos & Catarina Nobre & Paulo Brito & Margarida Gonçalves, 2023. "Brief Overview of Refuse-Derived Fuel Production and Energetic Valorization: Applied Technology and Main Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, June.
    4. Karolina Wojtacha-Rychter & Piotr Kucharski & Adam Smolinski, 2021. "Conventional and Alternative Sources of Thermal Energy in the Production of Cement—An Impact on CO 2 Emission," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-15, March.
    5. 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.

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