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

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  • 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
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    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.

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