Abstract
The present study aims to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) reject into refuse derived fuel (RDF) and estimate its quality by physical and chemical analysis. A model was set for all four seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter). A sample of 30,000 kg of MSW was investigated to project combustibles (162.14 tons/day) used for RDF production. The samples were shopping bags (SB) (38.45 %), textiles (TX) (23.56 %), paper and cardboard (PC) (17.29 %), other combustibles (OC) (12.51 %), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles (4.86 %), tetra-pack packaging (TP) (2.69 %) and other plastic (OP) (0.63 %). The results of the ultimate and proximate analysis of the RDF samples were in the favour of the RDF production with high volatiles and lower ash contents. Plastic polymers showed highest volatile matter (93.64±1.32 % to 81.61±8.06 %). C/H ratio was found maximum for PET (14.77±0.23) followed by TX (11.5±73.97). Chlorine content was negligible that also reduced the potential damage risk to the RDF processing equipment. Net calorific value, moisture content, ash content, chlorine content, sulphur content, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, lead, copper and chromium complied EURITS RDF standards. Through this study it is established that production of RDF addresses the MSW management problems sustainably.