Comparative evaluation of RDF and MSW incineration

Abstract

In the last few years, a number of credible surveys have shown that material recycling and incineration processes appear to work well together in an integrated system. Compatibility exists for several reasons related to not only economic and environmental, but also political and social aspects in several developed countries. However, the impacts of solid waste presorting on incineration facilities remain unclear in developing countries due to the inherent complexity of solid waste composition. This analysis evaluates the comparative effects by burning municipal solid waste (MSW) and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in the same incinerator. The solid waste presorting or RDF production process consists of standard unit operations of shredding, magnetic separation, trommel screening, and air classification. The production of RDF and collected MSW are dedicated to a small scale incinerator. Focus has been placed upon the comparative evaluation of heat balance, ash property, and the quality of flue gas in the incineration process. It appears that the incineration of RDF presents relatively better performance in several aspects.