Microwave plasma assisted pyrolysis of refuse derived fuels

• Main Authors: Khongkrapan,P., Thanompongchart,P., Tippayawong,N., Kiatsiriroat,T.
• Format: Article
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84921501503&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/39091
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

© Versita sp. z o.o. This work combined plasma reactivity and pyrolysis for conversion of solid wastes. Decomposition of refuse derived fuel (RDF) and its combustible components (paper, biomass, and plastic) in an 800 W microwave plasma reactor was investigated at varying argon flow rates of 0.50 to 1.25 lpm for 3 minutes. The characteristic bright light emission of plasma was observed with calculated maximum power density of about 35 W/cm3. The RDF and its components were successfully converted into char and combustible gas. The average char yield was found to be 12-21% of the original mass, with a gross calorific value of around 39 MJ/kg. The yield of the product gas was in the range 1.0-1.7 m3/kg. The combustible gas generated from the pyrolysis of the RDF contained about 14% H2, 66% CO, and 4% CH4 of the detected gas mass, with a heating value of 11 MJ/m3. These products are potentially marketable forms of clean energy.