Small Scale RDF Workflow

Basics

• This page aims to outline the development of a workflow for the Production, Storage, and Use of Refuse Derived Fuel at a small scale
• Although somewhat similar to Small Scale Waste Incineration , this page aims to mainly use only clean burning materials
• Also care to optimize use as fuel is prioritized over maximizing Variety of MSW it can process/efficiency

Equipment

Fuel Preparation

• Paper Shredder (Preferably one that cam handle a full sheet of Corrugated Containerboard )
• A Paper Pulping Setup
  • A Bin, Water, and an Immersion Blender or Drill Bit Attachment should work fine, although more complex setups may be worth looking into
• Potentially a Moisture Content Meter
• Additives/Binders such as Starch
• Scissors / a Reciprocating Saw if cutting pre-shredding is needed, or in leu of a shredder
• Final Pressing Equipment for the Prepared Fuel Mixture Such as
  • A Paper Log Press or Paper Briquette Press
    • Easiest to acquire, especially if a manual device is used, also heavily proven to not be picky)
  • A Pellet Mill / Pelletizer
    • Higher Quality End Fuel, although requires more precise control of Moisture Content and Particle Size / Mesh Size
  • A Boilie Roller / Automatic Boilie Maker
    • There doesn’t seem to be any examples of this being attempted, but using a similar consistency mix, but for fuel instead of Fishing Bait may work well
    • This could get a form factor similar to Wood Chips or Wood Pellets , but less picky in fuel properties
    • This would almost certainly require usage of a Binder however
• A Solar Solid Fuel Dryer would be of use, although not required
• Torrefaction or Charring into Charcoal may also be useful

Fuel Use

• It could be used for a Fire Pit, although use for Heating to Electricity Generation is preferable
• A Rocket Stove , Rocket Mass Heater , Thermoelectric Stove are all good lower cost options
• Gasification could be done
  • Using the Charcoal Gasifier , assuming it can run on the fuel shape, would be doable given the TRL of that design
  • Entrained Flow Gasification of the slurry itself would be an interesting route to explore