Refuse fired energy plants

Many conditions in the U.S. have been different, hence waste-to-energy has not advanced as rapidly as in Europe. Some of these differences will continue, but we are moving rapidly to similar conditions in most of our metropolitan areas. Hence the lessons that have been learned in 80 years of refuse fired energy plant (RFEP) experience in Europe can be effectively utilized by many U.S. communities. 

In the rotary kiln of cement works, clay and lime are sintered or burnt into cement clinker. The reactor is run in counterflow Primary firing heats the material to approx. 1,400 °C, secondary firing in the loading area ensures calcinations at approx. 900 °C. Approximately 3.3 GJ energy are required for production of 1 Mg cement [20]. To reduce the energy costs, which account for approx. 50 % of the production costs, substitute fuels such as old tires, used oil, paint sludges, sawdust or refuse-derived fuels are used. As much as 30 % of the total heat requirement of a plant have been covered by these secondary fuels [21], the solid residues of which are integrated into the product [19]. 

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