Refuse Derived Fuel : RDF

RDF ?

Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) is a type of fuel obtained by converting municipal solid waste (MSW) or energy waste into a usable fuel form.

The RDF production process typically begins with waste collection, followed by shredding and arranging it for further processing. The waste then undergoes a sorting process to separate combustible materials such as plastics, metals, and organic matter. Non-combustible or unsuitable materials may be sent to landfills or disposed of through other means.

Principles of RDF Production

RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) is a method of extracting energy-rich waste and converting it into a combustible form that can be used as a source of energy or heat in power generation and various industries.

RDF serves as a waste-to-energy solution, reducing reliance on high-demand conventional fuels while minimizing waste disposal needs and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This is particularly beneficial in regions with high energy demands and limited natural energy resources.

By utilizing RDF as an alternative fuel, industries and power plants can replace traditional fossil fuels like coal and oil, making it a viable option for local waste management, industrial energy production, and electricity generation.

What is Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)?

Nowadays, many people may have heard the term RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel), which refers to fuel derived from the conversion of municipal solid waste (MSW) or energy waste into a usable fuel form.

The RDF production process typically begins with waste collection, followed by shredding and arranging it for further processing. The waste then undergoes a sorting process to separate combustible materials such as plastics, metals, and organic matter. Non-combustible or unsuitable materials may be sent to landfills or disposed of through other means.

Types of RDF

According to the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) classification, RDF is categorized into seven types based on the characteristics of waste fuel and the treatment processes used:

  • RDF-1: MSW – Waste is used as fuel in the same condition as when it was collected, without undergoing any transformation, except for manual removal of large waste items.
  • RDF-2: Coarse RDF – Non-combustible waste materials such as metals and glass are removed, and the remaining waste is shredded or cut into smaller pieces.
  • RDF-3: Fluff RDF – Similar to RDF-2, but the waste is further reduced in size so that 95% of the processed waste is smaller than 2 inches.
  • RDF-4: Dust RDF – Combustible waste materials are processed into fine dust or powder form, with particle sizes smaller than 0.0035 inches.
  • RDF-5: Densified RDF – Combustible waste is compressed into dense fuel pellets or briquettes with a density of 600 kg/m³, sometimes with additives to enhance fuel properties.
  • RDF-6: RDF Slurry – Combustible waste is processed into a liquid or semi-solid fuel form.
  • RDF-7: RDF Syn-gas – Combustible waste undergoes gasification to produce synthetic gas (Syngas), which can be used as a fuel source.

Benefits of RDF

RDF offers multiple advantages as a source of thermal and electrical energy, including:

  • Reducing landfill space requirements
  • Decreasing the reliance on imported fuels
  • Mitigating the spread of diseases caused by waste accumulation
  • Lowering the use of coal, thereby reducing environmental impact

 

Services of One More Link

One More Link Co., Ltd. specializes in producing Fluff RDF (RDF-3), which involves removing non-combustible waste materials and reducing waste size so that 95% of the processed material is smaller than 2 inches.

Our expert team provides professional consultation and RDF production services, ensuring compliance with international standards. We are ISO 9001 and 14001 certified, guaranteeing that all our processes are legally compliant, transparent, and verifiable.