Solid Waste as Refuse-Derived Fuel

Europe and the Far East have been using refuse-to-energy plants to power turbine generators in the production of electricity. If the U.S. would convert the total municipal refuse to energy at normal efficiency, 6% of the total U.S. electric production could be produced. Pelletized solid waste [refuse-derived fuel (RDF)] can be mixed with coal and burned in existing industrial spreader stoker-fired boilers. An RDF-to-coal volume ratio of 1:1 corresponding to a weight ratio of 40:60 and an energy ratio of 23:77 was burned in a completely unmodified steam plant without unusual variations in equipment operation for a 24-h period. In addition, there was significant reduction in both SO₂ and HC emissions compared to low-sulfur coal. Difficulties were experienced with an RDF-to-coal volume ratio of 2:1. Control data were established for comparative purposes by burning coal for a 24-h period.