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Grinding and Pelleting Characteristics of Municipal Solid Waste Fractions

Author

Listed:
  • Zachary Smith

    (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83415, USA)

  • Blesson Isaac

    (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83415, USA)

  • Jaya Shankar Tumuluru

    (Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS (United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service), Las Cruces, NM 88047, USA)

  • Neal Yancey

    (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID 83415, USA)

Abstract

The efficient utilization of low-cost carbon feedstocks, such as municipal solid waste (MSW), in biorefineries has become increasingly important for reducing GHG emissions and meeting the growing demand for renewable energy sources. However, MSW as a feedstock presents several challenges, including high moisture content, compositional variability, particle size and shape, density, and ash content. To address these challenges, the potential of mechanical dewatering and high-moisture pelleting processes for densifying MSW fractions, such as paper, cardboard, thin plastic, and thick plastic, into low-cost carbon feedstocks with improved handling and conversion properties were investigated. The effect of these preprocessing technologies on the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of the resulting pellets, including bulk density, durability, and size uniformity, were evaluated. The results showed that with these preprocessing technologies, the paper and cardboard fractions could be pelleted at moisture contents over 40% (w.b.) while achieving >99% durability and >300 kg/m 3 , while the high moisture plastic fractions were not suitable for pelleting. The thick plastic fraction processed in a screw press was shown to remove up to 30% of the moisture content in a single pass. These findings suggest that these mechanical preprocessing technologies can improve the physical properties of low-cost municipal solid waste fractions for biofuels production.

Suggested Citation

  • Zachary Smith & Blesson Isaac & Jaya Shankar Tumuluru & Neal Yancey, 2023. "Grinding and Pelleting Characteristics of Municipal Solid Waste Fractions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2023:i:1:p:29-:d:1303924
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gaeta-Bernardi, André & Parente, Virginia, 2016. "Organic municipal solid waste (MSW) as feedstock for biodiesel production: A financial feasibility analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 1422-1432.
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