Physicochemical and thermophysical characterization of rejected waste and evaluation of their use as refuse-derived fuel

Abstract

Abstract The recycling of materials found in municipal solid waste (MSW) is preferable to energy recovery; however, parts of the residues are rejected and sent to landfills. Rejects can be processed and used as refuse-derived fuel (RDF); nevertheless, an assessment of the fuel properties is relevant. This work evaluated the fuel potential of rejected MSW by manually sorting recyclable products, dominated by discarded recyclable solid waste (DRSW), aiming at recovery using it as RDF in thermochemical processes. The methodologies employed contemplated the physicochemical and thermophysical characterization of samples from five different fractions (non-chlorinated plastics, paper/cardboard, textiles, Tetra Pak® packaging, and wastes in natura) and processed RDF from DRSW. The results showed that these wastes present important energetic potential (lower heating value of 19.86\xa0MJ/kg, 79.70% of volatile matter, and 8.87% of fixed carbon), with a low chlorine content in the bottom ash (11.43%). The samples tested in this work had moisture, ash, and combustible matter percentages within the limits established by the Tanner diagram. Therefore, the use of DRSW as RDF is an alternative to waste treatment, promotes energy recovery, and reinforces the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development due to the socioenvironmental and economic benefits of using rejected waste.