A RAPID TECHNIQUE FOR CHARACTERIZATION AND PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF REFUSE-DERIVED FUELS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THERMAL CONVERSION

In this paper, a thermogravimetric procedure is described for obtaining information on the proximate analysis of refuse-derived fuel (RDF). In order to estimate the heating value of municipal solid waste (MSW), the concept of characterizing the combustible portion of MSW into low-calorific fuel (LCF) and high-calorific fuel (HCF) fractions is suggested. Based on the evolution of volatiles at low temperatures (LTV) and high temperatures (HTV), a technique to estimate the amounts of LCF and HCF fraction in RDF is proposed. The usefulness of LTV and HTV in designing and optimizing the operation of thermal conversion systems is also discussed briefly. Key Words—Solid waste, refuse-derived fuel, characterization, proximate analysis, thermogravimetry, calorific value, low-temperature volatiles, high-temperature volatiles. 1