RDF Production Potential of Municipal Solid Waste

The composition and characteristic of excavated solid waste from Nonthaburi Municipal solid waste (MSW) dumpsite was studied to evaluate the potential of refuse derive fuel (RDF) production. The composition of solid waste mainly consists of 41.5% plastic and 30.9% soil. The recycle of plastic waste from the Nonthaburi dumpsite for RDF production was therefore possible. The results of calorific value analysis of around 29.5 MJ/kg indicates the high heat value derived from solid waste and it's potential to be used as RDF. However, the moisture, ash content and heavy metal contaminated in the excavated solid waste exceeded the standard for RDF. In this regard, the trommel screen (with mesh size of 25mm and 50mm) was used to separate the soil fraction other components in waste. Almost 82% of plastic waste could be classified as the overflow waste and recovered, whereas 55% of soil content was removed as underflow waste after screening. The purity of recovered plastic however was still low after screening. Therefore, further separation process is necessary to increase the purity of plastic waste for RDF production.