Comparative Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste to RDF Pretreatment Methods in Indonesia

Abstract

Municipal solid waste in Indonesia has a high potential to be used as an alternative energy source. One of the methods is by producing refuse-derived fuel (RDF) as coal substitution. Pre-treatment is needed to reduce high water content in domestic waste, especially in Indonesia, to produce high-quality RDF. This study compares and analyzes the optimal pre-treatment method to produce RDF from domestic waste based on each RDF product characteristic. The research reviewed and analyzed the data of RDF characteristics of various pre-treatment methods applied in Indonesia from pilot-scale experiments as primary data and previous research as secondary data. The methods compared are fermentation method, sun-drying, and bio drying. RDF from each method was tested to collect the proximate and ultimate characteristics data. Statistical analysis of RDF characteristics is carried out to determine whether there is a significant difference from different pre-treatment methods. This analysis shows no significant effect on the difference in the characteristics of the RDF. RDF from bio drying provides the highest average number of calorific values and lowest moisture content. The study concluded that the bio drying method is recommended in more waste treatment facilities in Indonesia to increase waste as an alternative energy resource.