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The main goal of the study was to assess the possibility of practical use of products of pyrolysis of refuse-derived fuel (RDF), i.e., pyrolysis gas, biochar and pyrolysis oil, as an alternative to standard fossil fuels. The subject matter of the paper reaches out to the challenges faced by the global economy, not only in the context of the energy crisis, but also in the context of the energy transformation currently beginning in Europe. The increase in fuel and energy prices prompts countries to look for alternative solutions to Russian minerals. At the same time, the growing amount of municipal waste forces the implementation of solutions based on energy recovery (the amount of municipal waste per EU inhabitant in 2021 is 530 kg). One such solution is pyrolysis of RDF, i.e., fuels produced from the over-sieve fraction of municipal waste. In Poland, insufficient processing capacity of thermal waste conversion plants has led to significant surpluses of RDF (1.2 million Mg of undeveloped RDF in Poland in 2021). RDF, due to their high calorific value, can be a valuable energy resource (16–18 MJ/k). This issue is analyzed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to analyse the impact of selected conditions on the use of municipal solid waste in energy production processes. The authors in this publication indicated that the factors determining the effective use of solid municipal waste may be, in particular, formal and legal conditions, methods used in the processes of thermal waste transformation, recovery logistics or emergency situations such as pandemics or armed conflicts. Their knowledge can be very useful in the processes of the effective use of municipal waste for the production of thermal energy, especially in the current period of the energy crisis faced by most EU countries. This paper also emphasizes the importance of RDF (refuse-derived fuel) for the thermal energy sector, which can be used both in large combustion plants and in less powerful facilities, including local heating and combined heat and power plants as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The article was prepared by means of the systematic literature review (SLR) method, utilising the Scopus database and secondary sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) examination in order to use it for energy purpose. RDF material was subjected to thermogravimetric analysis. The TGA analysis confirmed the multi-component nature of tested material. It also indicated that the mixture consists of a minimum of 2 types of materials: biomass and thermoplastic polymers. The pyrolysis was conducted as a batch process with the use of a processing furnace supplied by the IZO Company. RDF sample was pyrolysed under 900 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. Obtained char and gaseous sample, as well as raw material, were subjected to elemental and gas chromatographic analysis. Furthermore, using ANSYS CHEMKIN-PRO software, numerical simulations of these samples were conducted. Based on the results of composition of pyrolysis gas, the numerical model was validated. Next, modelling of chemical composition of gas from RDF pyrolysis for a pilot installation working in Poland was performed. In addition, the evaluation of the investment costs for the exemplary installation for the thermal conversion of RDF using pyrolysis was made. For this purpose, dynamic methods of investment project assessment were used, which take into account the distribution of anticipated revenues and expenses related to a given investment project over time. • Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) can be a valuable energy source. • Thermal conversion of RDF by pyrolysis can contribute to limiting waste landfilling. • Calculations with the use of the ANSYS CHEMKIN-PRO software were conducted. • Economic analysis confirmed the legitimacy of the analysed investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]