Energy from waste: review of thermochemical technologies for refuse derived fuel (RDF) treatment

The growing amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) and the related problems of waste disposal urge the development of a more sustainable waste management practice. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies – recovering energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from waste – are being developed worldwide. The present paper reviews thermochemical technologies for energetic valorization of calorific waste streams (WtE), with focus on refuse derived fuel (RFD) – a processed form of municipal solid waste (MSW). The basic principles of the available technologies and process details of some specific technologies are summarized. Technologically advanced processes (e.g. plasma gasification) receive more attention, with particular focus on the potential for energy recovery (WtE) and material recovery (WtP). The review concludes with an argumentation of the advantages of processing RDF as opposed to MSW, and a comparison between the different technologies, stressing factors affecting their applicability and operational suitability.status: publishe