Production and quality assurance of solid recovered fuels using Mechanical-Biological Treatment (MBT) of waste: a comprehensive assessment

摘要

The move from disposal-led waste management to resource management demands anability to map flows of the properties of waste. Here, we provide acomprehensive review of how mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) plants, andthe unit processes that comprise them, perform in relation to management ofmaterial flows, while transforming inputs into output fractions. Focus is placedon the properties relating to the quality of MBT-derived fuels. Qualitymanagement initiatives for refuse-derived fuels (RDF) or solid recovered fuels(SRF) are reviewed and SRF quality from MBT plants is assessed through astatistical analysis of published data. This can provide a basis for a targetedreduction in pollution load from solid MBT outputs and subsequent end-useremissions. Our analysis, among else, (1) verifies the difficulty of chemicalseparation solely by mechanical means; (2) illustrates the trade-off betweenachieving a high quality of recoverable outputs and the quantity/properties ofreject material; and (3) indicates that SRF quality could respond to legislativerequirements and market needs, if specific improvements (reduction of Cl, Cu,and Pb content) are achieved. Further research could enhance the confidence inthe ability of MBT plants to produce a quality-assured SRF suitable for specificend-users, without contradicting the wider requirement for an overallsustainable management of resources.