A FUNDAMENTAL-STUDY ON CONVENTIONAL PYROLYSIS OF A REFUSE-DERIVED FUEL

The pyrolysis behavior of a refuse-derived fuel (RDF) under heating co nditions typical of conventional pyrolysis processes was investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were performed on RDF and on some materials which have been considered ''k ey components'' of the thermal degradation of RDF. The product fractio ns obtained by RDF pyrolysis runs in a laboratory-scale fixed bed reac tor, at temperatures between 500 and 900 degrees C, were identified an d characterized by different experimental techniques, including gas ch romatographic analysis of gaseous products, ultimate analysis, scannin g electron microscopy and internal surface area measurements of char. Gas, tar, and char global yields were determined as a function of reac tor temperature. The influence of gas-phase secondary tar-cracking rea ctions on final gas composition was investigated. Overall kinetic para meters obtained by a simple kinetic model are compared to literature d ata.