Browsing by Author "Hill, D."
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Item Open Access Appraisal for options of solid recovered fuel (SRF) utilisation within the UK(2006-11-29T00:00:00Z) Hill, D.; Garg, A.; Smith, Richard; Pollard, Simon J. T.; Longhurst, Philip J.In view of the rising prices of non-renewable fossil fuels and regulatory obligations affecting waste management, interest is growing for the use of waste derived fuels in energy intensive facilities in Europe. However, major concerns with the use of such fuels include the quality of fuels, its source of generation, gaseous emissions and public acceptability. This paper presents the various production methods for solid recovered fuels (SRF) from municipal solid waste (MSW) and the potential options for its use in the UK. SRF can be produced by mechanical biological treatment (MBT) methods using bio-drying process or by extensive mechanical treatment. MBT involves a series of mechanical and biological steps, depending upon the input waste properties, aimed at producing an SRF. SRF compositions vary according to the application and can comprise of paper, plastic, wood, textile and organics. The European Technical Committee CEN/TC 343 “Solid Recovered Fuels” classifies SRF on the basis of net calorific value (NCV), chlorine content and mercury content. This classification system was prepared after extensive consultation with end-users. In the UK, the main potential outlets for MSW derived SRF include cement kilns, power plants, industrial boilers (such as pulp and paper mill), dedicated SRF incineration facilities and advanced thermal treatment plants (such as gasification and Venice 2006: Biomass and Waste to Energy Symposium. Cini Foundation, Venice, Italy. 29 November – 1 December 2006. pyrolysis). Cement kiln operators prefer high NCV fuel, however, in spite of its lower CV in comparison to other waste derived fuels (like liquid solvents, tyres and MBM), it remains attractive due to its biomass fraction and cheap availability. Power plants are much more concerned with the biomass fraction, as it may bring revenues for them in the form of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs). Similarly, gasification and pyrolysis techniques are also eligible for ROCs, but these are still not fully proven in the UK. The use of SRF is also of interest because of its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as the biomass rich fraction is considered ‘carbon neutral’. Thus, this assists energy facilities to meet the EU Emissions Trading Scheme targets. However, the application of SRF is not straightforward as legislation exists at EU and National level, which users need to comply with. In addition, technical, environmental and economic issues need to be addressed. On the other hand if more SRF can be used then this will greatly help the UK meet its obligations under the Landfill Directive and the mitigation of greenhouse gases.Item Open Access Comparative evaluation of SRF and RDF co-combustion with coal in a fluidised bed combustor(2007-10-01T00:00:00Z) Garg, A.; Smith, Richard; Longhurst, Philip J.; Pollard, Simon J. T.; Simms, Nigel J.; Hill, D.The experimental study reported here was carried out to assess the feasibility of municipal solid waste (MSW) derived solid recovered fuel (SRF) in energy recovery applications. SRF was prepared by grinding and blending the major MSW constituents such as paper, plastics, wood and textile. The percentage of various constituents was the same as from the Ecodeco process employing bio- drying followed by mechanical treatment. The heating value of synthetic SRF was ca. 21 MJ/kg (as received basis). The metal emission results from the SRF co- combustion with coal were compared with that obtained from coal mono-combustion and refuse derived fuel (RDF) co-combustion with coal. RDF was also derived from MSW and was obtained from a local mechanical treatment waste facility. Use of SRF as co-fuel does not increase the emissions of metals to the environment in the flue gas stream when compared to coal mono-combustion. In addition, use of MSW derived fuel reduces the arsenic release to the atmosphere. The results showed that most of the metals are retained in the ash components (except mercury). The mobility of metals depends on the volatility and type of feedstock.