What is RDF and how is it produced?

Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), also known as waste-derived fuel, is a type of fuel produced from various types of waste, such as municipal solid waste (MSW), industrial and commercial waste. RDF is used to generate energy by burning, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. We will explore in detail and try to explain in a way that everyone can understand what the RDF is, the production process and the equipment needed for a complete RDF production plant.

What is RDF?

RDF is a fuel produced from combustible (combustible) waste components of waste, such as non-recyclable plastics (excluding PVC), paper, cardboard, textiles and wood. These fractions are separated by various processing steps, such as mechanical sorting, aeraulic sorting (which uses air), ballistic separation, separation of ferrous and non-ferrous materials, and shredding into a uniform size. The RDF can be used as a substitute for fossil fuels in various industries, including cement plants, coal-using power plants and industrial furnaces.

RDF Production Process

The process requires a number of machines, organized in a RDF Production Line, starting from the collection of household waste until obtaining a chopped material and separated from bodies that cannot burn, prepared for introduction into incinerators or industrial plants. 

Initial collection and sorting

The RDF production process begins with the collection of municipal solid waste (MSW) from various sources such as households, commercial and industrial areas. The collected waste is introduced into a household bag unclog machine then initially sorted to remove large and non-combustible objects such as metals, glass and stones. This step can be done manually or using mechanical separators.

Primary chopping waste

Sorted waste is chopped into smaller pieces to facilitate further processing. Shredding reduces the size of waste materials, making them easier to handle and process.

Separation of chopped waste from metals

Before the mince resulting from the first chopper is inserted into the secondary chopper, the metal waste must be removed. This process provides additional protection for the machines in the RDF recycling line, high RDF quality and the type of secondary chopper used. 

Secondary shredding

In some cases, a Secondary chopping stage to obtain a more uniform particle size. This step ensures that the material is suitable for combustion or further processing.

Sorting and refining

Sorting and Waste refining The results of the chopping process ensure a high-quality final product with an increased degree of combustion and the highest possible caloric power. Thus, ferrous and non-ferrous metals separate, plastic, Paper and cardboard So that in the end we can refine and separate the resulting RDF by dimensions. 

Equipment required for RDF production

RDF shredders

To begin with, the cleaning bags collected from the solid municipal waste are introduced into a line for cleaning household bags. The shredders are used for shredding urban waste into smaller pieces. These can be primary and secondary choppers, depending on the need to use them, but also to establish a standard and a uniform size of the materials resulting from the shredding process.

Waste shredders

Waste pre-shredder RDF - VVZ 2500

Vecoplan

Model: VVZ 2500

Waste recycling equipment

Waste shredder RDF - VEZ 2500

Vecoplan

Model: VEZ 2500

Machines for unpacking garbage bags

Open sack machine - OBTR

ITR Recycling

Model: OBTR

Magnetic separators

Magnetic separators are used to remove ferrous metals from the waste stream, thus protecting the processing equipment and improving the quality of the RDF

Swirl current dividers

These separators are used to remove non-ferrous metals, such as The Aluminum, from the waste stream.

Air dividers

Air separators (which use the power of air) separate light materials from heavy ones, helping to concentrate the fraction of combustible material from urban waste.

Where is the RDF used?

• Cement factories: RDF is commonly used in cement plants as a substitute for coal. It can be burned in the precalciner and in the rotary furnace, providing the thermal energy required for the cement production process.
• cogeneration plants: The RDF is used in cogeneration plants to produce both heat and electricity. These power plants are designed to manage various types of waste fuels, including RDF, and are equipped with advanced flue gas cleaning technologies to meet polluting emission standards.
• Synthetic gas production plants: RDF can be processed in gasification plants to produce synthesis gas (Syngas), which can be used for electricity generation or as chemical raw material.
• Industrial boilers: RDF can be used in industrial boilers to generate steam for various industrial processes. This is a common practice in industries such as paper and cellulose, where RDF can be used to produce steam for paper making and drying processes.

How does the RDF contribute to a circular economy?

Refused-Derived Fuel (RDF) It represents an innovative and sustainable solution for waste management and power generation. The RDF production process involves several complex steps including sorting, shredding, separating, drying and compacting waste to produce a quality fuel. The machines required for RDF production include shredders, magnetic separators, eddy current separators, air separators, thermal dryers and pellet presses or briquette presses.

RDF can be used in various factories, including cement plants, power plants, cogeneration plants, gasification plants and industrial boilers. Compared to other types of waste fuels, the RDF offers significant benefits in waste management and CO2 reduction, although it requires advanced emission control technologies to manage specific pollutants.

By using RDF, we can contribute to a circular economy, reducing the amount of waste which reach landfills and capitalizing on waste to generate energy. This not only helps protect the environment, but also provides a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.